American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato performs Les nuits d’été, a setting of Théophile Gautier’s poems about love and loss. One of the earliest orchestral song cycles, Berlioz initially wrote it for voice and piano in 1840–41, orchestrating the first song two years later and the remaining five in 1856. It is performed alongside works by J Strauss and Beethoven in Hobart, Rossini and Respighi in Melbourne. Chief Conductors Eivind Aadland and Jaime Martín take the podium respectively.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

One of the finest singers of our time, Joyce DiDonato has achieved international prominence appearing on the world’s major opera stages. She joins the MSO for a special gala performance of Berlioz’s song cycle full of love, loss and longing.

Two sonically spectacular tone poems by Respighi that portray vivid scenes of Rome, and Rossini’s crowd-pleasing overture complete this captivating concert.