Viennese Christmas Spectacular by Candlelight

This programme celebrates the elegance, charm and sheer joy of the Viennese tradition with a dazzling selection of orchestral and vocal favourites. At its heart is the music of Johann Strauss II, the 'Waltz King', whose works capture the wit, sparkle and irresistible energy of 19th-century Vienna, culminating in The Blue Danube, an unofficial anthem of Vienna. Alongside Strauss, the programme explores many moods of the waltz, from Shostakovich's jazz-infused Waltz No. 2 to Sibelius' haunting Valse triste, and Tchaikovsky's graceful Waltz from The Sleeping Beauty and the much-loved Nutcracker Suite. The programme also shines a light on the golden age of operetta, with soprano favourites including Lehár's 'Meine Lippen, sie küssen so heiß' and 'Vilja', and Die Fledermaus highlights.

Programme: J. Strauss II – Overture to Die Fledermaus; Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka; Shostakovich – Waltz No. 2; Sibelius – Valse triste; Tchaikovsky – Waltz from The Sleeping Beauty; Korngold – Serenade from The Snowman; Lehár – 'Meine Lippen, sie küssen so heiß' from Giuditta; Suppé – 'Hab' ich nur deine Liebe' from Boccaccio; J. Strauss II – 'Laughing Song' from Die Fledermaus; Tchaikovsky – Excerpts from The Nutcracker (incl. Pas de deux); Lehár – 'Vilja-Lied' from The Merry Widow; J. Strauss II – 'Csárdás' from Die Fledermaus; J. Strauss II – The Blue Danube

Performers: Sofia Kirwan-Baez (soprano), London Concertante