Prodigious violinist and MSO Young Artist in Association Christian Li joins the MSO for Paganini’s virtuosic First Violin Concerto, and Jaime Martín conducts Tchaikovsky’s musical testament to Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers.

Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Overture – while inspired by Shakespeare’s great tragedy – was designed to stand on its own, with various themes depicting different characters and moments in the plot. The overture’s famous ‘love theme’ is ingrained in the memories of millennials everywhere as the ‘kiss’ in video game The Sims.

Composer Niccolò Paganini achieved technical feats on the violin that were considered impossible by many. In fact, his virtuosic talents were so remarkable that they stirred up rumours that he’d sold his soul to the devil in exchange for such profound gifts. His First Violin Concerto traverses memorable melodies and mind-blowing virtuosity in a thrilling display of theatricality.