Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique

This listing is in the past

Royal Albert HallKensington Gore, London, Greater London, SW7 2AP, United Kingdom

Dates/times in London time zone

Programme

Strauss, Richard (1864-1949)	Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration), Op.24
Simpson, Mark (b. 1988)	ZEBRA (or, 2-3-74: The Divine Invasion of Philip K. Dick) (BBC commission: world premiere)
Messiaen, Olivier (1908-1992)	O sacrum convivium!
Berlioz, Hector (1803-1869)	Symphonie fantastique, Op.14

Performers

Sean Shibe	Electric guitar
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Anja Bihlmaier	Conductor

A concert of larger-than-life sounds, stories and characters has Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique at its heart. Heady, opium-fuelled visions create a kaleidoscopic sequence: a swirling ballroom, a march to the scaffold and a witches’ sabbath, all set to the obsessive pulse of unrequited love. Sci-fi legend Philip K. Dick inspires Mark Simpson’s ZEBRA, a new concerto for maverick guitarist and former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Sean Shibe. The concert opens with Strauss’s Death and Transfiguration – no less than a musical struggle between life and death, climaxing in a promise of eternal peace.

Seats from £11 to £56 (plus booking fee). On sale 17 May 2025.

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The story of Symphonie Fantastique

Danny Riley, 4th September

Berlioz had a rather trying time while he was composing Symphonie fantastique. Here, we take a look at his amorous obsessions.

Berlioz 150: The Amazing Fantastique

Sir Roger Norrington, 4th February

Sir Roger Norrington explores the history of “the first truly Romantic score in history” and recounts his experiences performing it.

The demon symphony: Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique

Bachtrack, 16th April

Gareth Davies, Principal Flute of the London Symphony Orchestra, talks about the furious scramble to keep up with Colin Davis performing Berlioz’s great hallucinatory symphony.

Sean Shibe premieres a new guitar concerto at the BBC Proms

Mark Valencia, 23rd July

After the premiere of Mark Simpson's concerto, Anja Bihlmaier concludes her BBC Philharmonic Prom with a rousing performance of the Symphonie fantastique.

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