Stravinsky's Perséphone

The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Sakari Oramo in Stravinsky's ravishing Perséphone plus Magnus Lindberg's Violin Concerto No.1 with star soloist Lisa Batiashvili.

Recorded at the Barbican on 6th February 2026. Presented by Martin Handley.

Magnus Lindberg: Violin Concerto No. 1

20.00 Interval

Igor Stravinsky: Perséphone

Lisa Batiashvili (violin)
Amira Casar (narrator)
Peter Tantsits (tenor)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
BBC Symphony Chorus
Girls from the Chamber Choir of The Grey Coat Hospital School
Boys from the Schola Cantorum of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School

“Goddess of a thousand names, let us celebrate your mysteries…” The story of Persephone is as ancient as western culture: an ever-fresh parable of motherly love, untamed lust and the eternal cycle of nature. In 1934, Igor Stravinsky rose to its challenge: the result is part ballet, part opera, but all Stravinsky.

In other words, it’s unmissable – a musical drama unique in the 20th century, charged with all of Stravinsky’s originality, humour and emotion. For this rare concert performance Sakari Oramo has lined up a world-class team, including our own BBC Symphony Chorus. As an upbeat, violinist Lisa Batiashvili makes a very welcome return in Magnus Lindberg’s lyrical first Violin Concerto – a luminous prelude to Stravinsky’s mythic masterpiece.

To listen on most smart speakers just say, "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert".