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Italian Symphony

Big orchestra20 Apr '23 - 23 Apr '23(Past)

A sun-drenched concert full of joie de vivre and southern warmth.

1,5hours
55-60musicians
1break

‘This is Italy!’ Felix Mendelssohn wrote home when he had just arrived there for the first time. ‘And now has begun what I have always thought to be the supreme joy in life.’ He would later turn the impressions of his trip into music in his sun-drenched Italian Symphony. The other works in this programme also bask in the southern sun, with Poulenc’s heart-warming Concert Champêtre as its radiant centrepiece.

Programme & performers

Debussy
Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune

Poulenc
Concert Champêtre

Rossini
Ouverture Il barbiere di Siviglia

Mendelssohn
Symphony No. 4 'Italian'

An hour prior to the concerts on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 April there is a concert introduction in the Van Cappellenzaal. On Sunday 23 April there is an introduction in the Grote Zaal.

ConductorMaxim Emelyanychev
HarpsichordJean Rondeau

Farewell 1st concertmaster Igor Gruppman

Concertmaster Igor Gruppman retires; after nineteen years in Rotterdam he will play his last concert with our orchestra on Sunday 23 April. In order to let this farewell not pass unnoticed, we are organizing a special programme this afternoon, free of charge for all visitors to this Sunday matinee. Prior to the concert, our artistic manager Floris Don will talk to Igor Gruppman. This interview will take place in the Grand Hall from 1.15 PM to 2.00 PM and replaces the regular concert introduction. After the concert, all visitors are welcome in the Foyer of the Grand Hall, where we raise a glass to Igor.

The southern light full of joie de vivre
Mendelssohn's travel impressions
Truly exciting… the inspirational conductor, Maxim Emelyanychev, is a man on springs.
Bachtrack

All play dates of Italian Symphony

Thursday 20 Apr 20238:15 PM
RotterdamDe Doelen (Grand Hall)
past
Friday 21 Apr 20238:15 PM
RotterdamDe Doelen (Grand Hall)
past
Sunday 23 Apr 20232:15 PM
RotterdamDe Doelen (Grand Hall)
past

Watch, listen and marvel:

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Seong-Jin Cho
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