Britten Sinfonia – Ancient Greek Meze

This performance marks 50 years since the death of composer Benjamin Britten, with sublime mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston the soloist in his late micro-opera Phaedra. The contrasts between Phaedra’s disgust at her own obsession with her stepson and the heartfelt expressions of her love for him are darkly and brilliantly conveyed in this condensed masterpiece.

“Hell hath no fury” is also the mood in Charpentier’s opera about Medea and Haydn’s depiction of Ariadne’s abandonment by Theseus, while male protagonists fare better in Stravinsky’s ballet music and Woolrich’s yearning re-write of a Monteverdi aria.

The stories may be tragic, but in the company of comedian and classicist Natalie Haynes there will be tears of laughter too, with the doomed woman stereotype providing plenty of provocative material.

Britten Sinfonia is a different kind of orchestra. It is defined not by the traditional figurehead of a principal conductor, but by the dynamic and democratic meeting of its outstanding individual players and the broad range of their collaborators.

Performers – Helen Charlston – mezzo soprano/Natalie Haynes – stand-up classicist/Britten Sinfonia/Zoë Beyers – violin/director

Tickets – £25 (Under 30s £12.50)

For info go to https://www.westroad.org/whats-on/ancient-greek-meze