Carmen Fantasy

Instrumental virtuosi of the 19^th century often composed medleys of the most popular arias from the hit operas of the day, frequently demanding all but the impossible from the performer. Most of these medleys are long since forgotten, but one that is not is the still-fresh Carmen Fantasy by Spanish violin virtuoso Sarasate. The work includes all of the most popular themes from Bizet's opera, with pyrotechnic challenges for the violinist interspersed with a passionate orchestral accompaniment. Dutch violinist Simone Lamsma performs both the Carmen Fantasy and Chausson's lyrical and engaging Poème. Lamsma has garnered justified attention for her performances, enthralling critics with her “lively, impassioned and virtuosic performance.” She plays a Stradivarius violin from 1718.

The first half of the concert is devoted to French composers, and the second half moves further south. Capriccio Italien, one of Tchaikovsky's most popular orchestral pieces, was composed in Rome and is generously peppered with Italian street songs. Good cheer is equally evident in Ravel's Spanish morning song Alborada del gracioso, one of his most idiomatic and engaging orchestral pieces.