Symphoniker Hamburg / Sylvain Cambreling

What a love-struck score: »Roméo et Juliette, dramatic symphony, with chorus, vocal solos and prologue as choral recitative, after Shakespeare’s tragedy, dedicated to Niccolò Paganini« – what a wealth of lyrical tones, what enchanting moments, even bizarre, irrational ones, what lush harmonies and ravishing melodic arcs! Its creator Hector Berlioz himself was in an exceptional state: »What a passionate life I led during this whole time! With what vigour I swam in this vast sea of poetry, caressed by the exuberant breeze of fantasy, under the warm rays of Shakespeare’s sun of love, and trusting in my strength to reach the wonderful island where the temple of pure art rises.« With »Roméo et Juliette«, Berlioz had – after a long search – finally created his symphonic theatre of dreams.

Please note: To his regret, bass Edwin Crossley-Mercer had to cancel his participation in this concert at short notice for health reasons. Fortunately, the renowned bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni spontaneously agreed to take on the extensive role.