Join Richmond Orchestra for a musical cruise around the Mediterranean with a programme that captures the spirit and colour of southern Europe and north Africa.  The journey begins in Italy with Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, a vivacious piece infused with the bustling energy of Italian street music, echoing folk tunes and military fanfares the composer heard during his time in Rome. Next, to Egypt for the Grand March & Ballet from Verdi’s Aida From there, we travel west along the north African coast for Saint-Saëns’ Suite Algérienne, a vivid orchestral portrait inspired by the composer’s travels in Algeria, blending French romanticism with North African rhythms and melodies.

The second half of the concert brings us to Spain, first for Glinka’s Jota Aragonesa with its lively rhythms capturing the fiery spirit of traditional Aragonese dance. On to Andalusia for De Falla’s passionate flamenco Spanish Dance No 1 from La Vida Breve. The final piece returns us to Italy, where we started the evening, but this time to Liguria. Edward Elgar was inspired to write In the South during a holiday in Alassio in 1904. Inspired by the landscapes and ancient Roman ruins of the Italian Riviera, the piece is a sweeping orchestral overture that will bring the evening to a rousing conclusion.