Ely Sinfonia - A European Journey

Beethoven The Coriolan Overture
Respighi The Birds
Tchaikovsky Symphony no 6 (Pathétique).

Steve Bingham conductor
Ely Sinfonia

Come with us on an exploration of musical expression in a programme whose themes stretch from the birth of modern civilisation up to the modern era.

We start in ancient Rome for Beethoven’s magnificent Coriolan Overture and the story of Roman leader Gaius Marcius Coriolanus, depicted by Shakespeare (and Beethoven) as a lone man bucking the system as he relinquishes his war-like tendencies in favour of greater tenderness before killing himself.

We then move into the Italian countryside, where in 1928 Ottorino Respighi turned the song, fluttering wings and scratching feet of birds into orchestral music. Based on music from the 17th and 18th-century, Respighi’s glorious piece brings out the unique sounds of the dove, the hen, the nightingale and the cuckoo.

Finally we come to Tchaikovsky’s passionate and ever popular sixth symphony, Pathétique, which despite its name is full of excitement and energy, and was described by the composer many times as “the best thing I ever composed or shall compose”.

Tickets: £10, £18, £25.

If you experience a problem when booking tickets via our website, please email: box.office@elycathedral.org or leave us a voicemail on 01353 660349. Please note it may take up to 2 working days as messages are only checked on a part time basis.