Elgar’s Enigma Variations

Elgar’s Enigma Variations began as a parlour game, a series of musical portraits of the composer’s nearest and dearest. It grew into the warmest, tenderest and most stirring masterpiece in all of British music: who isn’t moved by the profound emotion of Nimrod? Few artists understand British music better than former English National Opera music director Martyn Brabbins, and tonight Enigma crowns an all-British programme that opens with the serenity of Vaughan Williams and stars the legendary pianist Peter Donohoe, who performs Sir Arthur Bliss's Piano Concerto. It’s not heard all that often, but it’s an absolute knockout: an art deco blockbuster, written on the eve of the Second World War. The greatest piano concerto you’ve never heard? Judge for yourself…

Due to personal circumstances beyond his control, Mark Bebbington is unable to perform in this concert as previously advertised. We are delighted that Peter Donohoe has agreed to perform in his place.

Large print versions and digital formats of the programme for this concert are available on request for customers with accessibility requirements. Please email your request to Doran Crowhurst crowhurstd@rpo.co.uk at least one full week before the performance.