Enigma Variations
The electrifying Dinis Sousa conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in the dazzling, mystery-shrouded work that made Elgar an international name.
One evening in 1898, Elgar improvised variations upon a whimsical theme to his wife, Alice, inspired by characteristics of his friends. It ‘commenced in a spirit of humour and continued in deep seriousness’.
It is believed that Elgar hid another melody within his theme – the ‘dark saying’ that ‘must be left unguessed’ – but despite many theories being put forward the secret has never been cracked.
The Enigma Variations was a roaring success with the British public. And its popularity didn’t stop at home: it was to be the work that propelled Elgar to a global fame no English composer had achieved in over 200 years.
Sea Pictures was composed the summer after the premiere of the Enigma Variations. Imbued with the Victorian affection for the English seaside, it also evokes distant shores. It is sung this evening by Frances Gregory, one of the OAE’s current Rising Stars of the Enlightenment.
With In the South we depart British waters for a thrilling conjuring of the Italian resort of Alassio, where the Elgars spent holidays.
Performers
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Dinis Sousa conductor
Frances Gregory mezzo-soprano
Repertoire
Elgar: Overture, In the South (Alassio); Sea Pictures
Interval
Elgar: Enigma Variations
Need to know
Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer at 6pm: pre-concert talk with Dinis Sousa. Admission free.
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.