The Hallé - The Sleeping Beauty

Wagner Tristan and Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod
Barber Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance
Tchaikovsky The Sleeping Beauty: extracts

 Sir Mark Elder conductor

Theatricality is at the heart of this concert, beginning with the Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde, a reminder that among Sir Mark’s many legacies as the Hallé’s Music Director have been acclaimed concert performances and recordings of Wagner’s operas. Barber’s ballet was composed as a showcase for American modern dancer, Martha Graham; later the composer created Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance, a substantial extract, for the concert hall. Sir Mark is excited to be conducting it with the orchestra for the first time, feeling too that Hallé audiences will enjoy this arresting score. Tchaikovsky’s imagination was on fire when composing The Sleeping Beauty: for this performance Sir Mark has made a personal selection from the glorious score, including such iconic items as the Act 1 Waltz and Rose Adagio.