Date/Time
Date(s) - 18/11/2021
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Location
Sage, Gatshead
Categories
Haydn
Symphony No.103 ‘Drumroll’, movements 1 & 2 (17 mins)
Set of English Canzonettas (15 mins)
String Quartet Op.76 No.5 (19 mins)
Symphony No.103 ‘Drumroll’, movements 3 & 4 (10 mins)
Interval
March for the Prince of Wales (5 mins)
Set of English Canzonettas (14 mins)
Symphony No.101 ‘The Clock’ (29 mins)
Sir Roger Norrington conductor
Susan Gritton soprano
Steven Devine fortepiano
Royal Northern Sinfonia
In what promises to be a very special evening, Royal Northern Sinfonia are celebrating not only the music of Haydn but Sir Roger Norrington himself, as he takes to the stage for what he has decided will be his final night on a conductor’s podium. Norrington has established himself as a true icon of classical music, known worldwide for his radical and innovative approach to performance. Throughout his distinguished career spanning seven decades he has championed fresh approaches to the work of composers from Monteverdi to Mahler and actively encouraged audiences to hear and experience music in new and engaging ways. Royal Northern Sinfonia are honoured to welcome him back to Sage Gateshead, for what is sure to be a truly memorable and historic performance.
As a pioneer of the movement for historically informed performance, there is nobody better suited to lead this recreation of Dr Haydn’s London Academy. In 18th Century London, concerts were often known as academies, but despite the scholarly-sounding title these evenings were pure entertainment, comprising a mixed bill of orchestral, solo and chamber music. Alongside Sir Roger in the spotlight will be soprano Susan Gritton and fortepianist Steven Devine, who will perform two sets of Haydn Canzonettas or songs, written in London during his visit in the 1790s. The movements of the ‘Drumroll’ Symphony will be broken up not only by songs, but also Haydn’s dramatic String Quartet Op.76 No.5 featuring players from Royal Northern Sinfonia. Bringing our academy to a close will be one of the composer’s best loved symphonies, No.101 ‘The Clock’.