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sinfonia ViVA ensemble with Dame Ann Murray

Friday 11th July 2008 at 3.00pm
Palace Hotel, Buxton
Tickets: £16 on sale from April 18th
Contact Box Office on 0845 1272 190 for details

Dame Ann Murray - Mezzo Soprano

Accomplished mezzo-soprano Dame Ann Murray joins a sinfonia ViVA ensemble directed by Benedict Holland for this concert as part of the Buxton Festival - a fascinating programme that entwines operatic and chamber music delights.

Two pieces by Richard Wagner open today's programme. Siegfried Idyll was composed as Wagner's birthday gift to his second wife Cosima to celebrate in turn the birth of their eponymous son Siegfried in 1869. The Wiesendonck Lieder song-cycle which follows is based upon a set poems written by Mathilde Wesendonck (her husband Otto was one of Wagner's patrons) whose influential relationship with the composer was to be reflected in his music on several occasions. On to prolific composer and pianist Jean Francaix, whose musical talent was first spotted as a child. His four-movement Octet is at times restrained, at others wistful and has a splendid waltz section for added variety! Finally to Britten's Sinfonietta Op.1, composed when he was only 18 and still a student, yet already full of the authority that would see him become one of the nation's most celebrated composers of the 20th century.

Visit the Buxton Festival website for more details of the Festival.

Supported by Arts Council England and Orchestras Live