Poulenc’s Gloria & Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, Royal Festival Hall

It’s best to see this evening as two concerts in one sitting. Poulenc’s Gloria contrasts nicely with Ravel ’s Daphnis et Chloé , with neither piece competing against the other. For the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, this is a journey through two significant works of two French composers from two different generations.

Poulenc’s twentieth-century classic, Gloria, is one of his best pieces - a typical example of the liturgical works he composed as a way of dealing with the death of close friends. American soprano Nicole Cabell will be the soloist, alongside an orchestra and chorus. Cabell is best known for winning the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in 2005. Her solo album Soprano was editor’s choice in Gramophone Magazine and won several awards in Europe. 

Cabell is becoming one of the most sought after sopranos. She doesn’t have too much vibrato or weight to her voice, but keeps it light and full of movement. 

Artistic Director and Principle conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Dutoit is renowned for his interpretation and recording of Ravel’s love story and ballet score, Daphnis and Chloé. It is usually performed as a ballet but, for this evening, will be played in concert, providing a rare chance to appreciate the orchestral textures of the piece more deeply. 

Ravel began work on the score for Daphnis and Chloé in 1909, after a commission from the famous Russian choreographer Sergei Diaghilev. It is the longest work he ever wrote, and the luscious harmonies typify the French impressionist style of the early twentieth century. Look out for the use of the Philharmonia Chorus in the third act, where the swelling orchestral effect created by using voices is fantastic and very unusual for its time. This is widely regarded as Ravel’s most passionate score and his best work, so don’t miss out on this exclusive insight into his music.

Tickets: £45 £38 £30 £25 £20 £15 £10 Premium £58

Address & Map:  Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX  ‎

Nearest Tube: Waterloo