Photo: Auckland Philharmonia
Experience a supernatural musical journey with the Auckland Philharmonia, led by French conductor Pierre Bleuse in his New Zealand debut featuring Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. This "Fantastique" programme also welcomes back renowned Kiwi pianist Sylvia Jiang as the soloist for Franz Liszt’s diabolical Totentanz.
The concert begins with Louise Webster’s Proof Against Burning, a compelling work exploring the historical complexities of witch trials. The macabre theme continues through Liszt’s virtuosic "Dance of Death" before culminating in Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. Written in 1830, this orchestral masterpiece portrays an artist’s opium-fueled hallucinations, moving from romantic obsession to a chaotic witches' sabbath, expertly navigated by Bleuse and the orchestra.
Recorded by RNZ Concert, Auckland Town Hall, 16 October 2025
Producer: Emre Ekici
Engineer: Adrian Hollay
