La Voix humaine

The evening

Maxim Emelyanychev conductor Carolyn Sampson soprano

Poulenc’s La Voix humaine is a one-act opera of raw intensity and searing beauty. Through a single, devastating telephone call, Poulenc captures heartbreak and vulnerability with music that is both intimate and overwhelming. Acclaimed soprano Carolyn Sampson brings this emotional tour de force to vivid life, making it an unforgettable focal point for this evening of musical storytelling.

The concert opens with Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, a delicate evocation of childhood wonder, shimmering with colour and tender melodies. From Sleeping Beauty’s slumber to enchanted gardens, Ravel’s music casts a spell of pure magic. Next comes Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale Suite, a sharp, witty work born of wartime austerity, infused with jazz rhythms and biting character, and offering a striking contrast to Ravel’s dreamlike world.