Rafael Payare Conducts Symphonie fantastique

Latin Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Pacho Flores brings the house down everywhere he plays.

Tonight he joins fellow Venezuelan Rafael Payare to perform Altar de Bronce (Altar of Bronze), written for him by the Philharmonia’s Featured Composer Gabriela Ortiz. Its two movements, ‘Tin’ and ‘Copper’, are full of drama and invention, and the infectious rhythms of Mexican popular music.

Berlioz summons up his version of carnival with timpani and tambourines rather than a full Latin percussion section. But he gives it just as much orchestral colour and energy, and adds a beautiful solo for the cor anglais.

There’s a darker side to the parties in Symphonie fantastique – a glittering ball and a fearsome witches’ Sabbath. In Berlioz’ musical autobiography, an infatuated young artist sees his beloved everywhere he turns.

His opium-fuelled reveries soon turn to terrible nightmares, coming to a climax with the hero’s chilling vision of his own execution.

Performers

Philharmonia Orchestra

Rafael Payare conductor

Pacho Flores trumpet

Repertoire

Berlioz: Overture, Le carnaval romain

Gabriela Ortiz: Trumpet Concerto (Altar de Bronce) (London premiere)

Interval

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

Need to know

Age guidance

For ages 7+. Under-12s must be accompanied by an adult on our site.

For your visit

This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre

The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.

Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.

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A lively crowd cheers with raised hands, while a performer in a white hat and suit plays guitar, against red lighting.

A guitarist performing on a dark stage at the Royal Festival Hall, lit up by multiple spotlights.

Pianis Víkingur Ólafsson is seated at a grand piano while playing Bach’s Goldberg Variations on the stage of Royal Festival Hall

Organist Carol Williams plays the Royal Festival Hall organ whiich is illumiated with bold colours

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On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.

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.

Other places to eat and drink whilst you’re here