Concert

West Road Concert Hall
  • Stravinsky Petrushka 1911
  • Wagner Lohengrin Prelude Act 3
  • Mahler Songs of a Wayfarer
  • Respighi Pines of Rome
  • Baritone Julien Van Mellaerts
  • Conductor Robert Hodge

The first concert of the CCSO’s 2017–18 season is crammed with colour and incident. A huge orchestra is exploited to add edge and excitement to these mainly narrative pieces. In 1910, Igor Stravinsky was composing Petrushka as a concert piece until the impresario, Sergei Diaghilev, persuaded him that it should be a ballet, and the result was sensational. The ballet depicts the loves and losses of three puppets who were finding difficulty in getting hitched. Not so Elsa and Lohengrin in Richard Wagner’s opera Lohengrin. The short and exuberant Prelude to Act 3 contains melodies that everyone knows, leading, in the stage version, straight into their wedding service.

Julien van Mellaerts

Gustav Mahler is famous for his monumental symphonies. Almost equally well known and well loved are his ‘Songs of a Wayfarer’, with verses by the composer. They describe the trials of life set against an exquisite orchestral background. The CCSO is delighted to welcome our distinguished baritone soloist Julien van Mellaerts, winner of the Kathleen Ferrier award in 2017.

Ottorino Respighi composed three colourful tone poems exploring aspects of Rome’s geography and history. The ‘Pines of Rome’ depicts the pine-clad countryside and pinelined avenues, creating bewitching and thrilling opportunities for impressionist effects and rousing marches. Written in 1924, it is top-notch film music without a film, as recognised by film composers who followed, including John Williams of ‘Star Wars’ fame.

Ticket Information

Admission: £18, £16 (concessions), £8 (students), £5 (under 14)

Advanced ticket sales:
  • Online
  • Phone: 01223 300085 (12:30 - 16:00 on Monday, 12:30 - 19:00 Tuesday - Friday, and 15:00 - 19:00 on Saturday).
  • In person: ADC Box Office, Park St, Cambridge, CB5 8AS – just off Jesus Lane
There is no booking fee but a 70p charge applies for postage. Tickets will also be available on the door (subject to availability).

West Road Concert Hall

11 West RoadCambridge CB3 9DP (map)
By Car
From Junction 12 of the M11 Drive for approx 1.5 miles into Cambridge (Barton Road) Turn left into Grange Road Turn 3rd right opposite Rugby Club (West Road) We are half way along the right hand side of West Road.
By Train
Trains run regularly to Cambridge from both London King’s Cross and London Liverpool Street. If you are coming from the North, it is advisable to change at Peterborough. West Road is a 10 to 15 minute taxi ride from the railway station.