Prom 36 - Gemma New conducts Mendelssohn's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Details

Part of the BBC Proms. In the summer of 1826 Felix Mendelssohn stumbled upon a German translation of A Midsummer Night's Dream made by August Wilhelm Schlegel. Spellbound, the 17-year-old composer wrote an orchestral overture for the play and, another 17 years later, augmented it with yet more scene-setting music - the most enchanting and characterful he would write. Gemma New joins the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for Mendelssohn's musical retelling of Shakespeare's story - performed with readings from the play for dramatic context - after equally colourful musical storytelling from forgotten French late-Romantic composer Mel Bonis and the heavenly sounds of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. There will be an interval.

Cast/Performers

Anthony McGill (clarinet)

Creatives/Company

Company(s): NYCOS Chamber Choir, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Gemma New