Turangalîla: Infinite Love

Need to know

Repertoire

Messiaen Turangalîla-Symphonie

Features

Vasily Petrenko Conductor
Cécile Lartigau Ondes Martenot
Steven Osborne OBE Piano
1927 Studios
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Location

Royal Festival Hall
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom

Venue information

Description

Vasily Petrenko conducts Messiaen’s cosmic symphony, with animations from 1927 Studios

Imagine an explosion of love on a cosmic scale. Mix in some 1940s Hollywood glamour, a pounding rhythmic workout and the sounds of a Javanese gamelan, and then wash it all in blissful impressionist colours. Now add a huge orchestra, a world-class pianist and a vintage electronic instrument straight out of science fiction and you’re still not even halfway to imagining Messiaen’s mind-boggling Turangalîla-Symphonie. 77 years after its premiere, it still sounds like nothing on earth.

‘A love song, a hymn to joy, time, movement, rhythm, life and death’ was how Messiaen himself described this vast, vibrant psychedelic masterpiece, and Vasily Petrenko, star pianist Steven Osborne and a super-sized Royal Philharmonic Orchestra turn the volume up to 11. Inspired by the golden age of silent cinema, 1927 Studios – the visionary team behind the Komische Opera Berlin’s 2012 production of The Magic Flute (★★★★ The Guardian) – have created a silent film in direct response to this cosmic symphony. They have been inspired by the Celtic medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde – the very same that Messiaen was captivated by whilst composing Turangalîla-Symphonie. 1927 Studios has taken this story of intoxicating, doomed love and the love-death theme at the heart of Turangalîla and exploded them into an epic silent-film narrative, woven throughout the symphony.

This is music that contains multitudes: every performance is a special occasion. Don’t miss this one.

This performance is part of the Southbank Centre’s Multitudes festival.

Offers and discounts

Save 10% off tickets when you book three or more Royal Philharmonic Orchestra x Vasily Petrenko concerts at the Southbank Centre.

RPO Club members can book two half-price tickets* per London Season concert via the Southbank Centre (and up to two complimentary tickets per season via the RPO). To book your half-price tickets, members should:

click on the 'Buy Tickets' link above to be transferred to Southbank Centre’s website, followed by 'Book Now'
click in the top right-hand corner where it says ‘Have a Promo Code?’ and insert your promo code (which was included in your welcome email)
select your preferred tickets from the available seats

For more information, or to claim your two complimentary tickets, please contact the RPO on 020 7608 8840 or email rpoclub@rpo.co.uk

Find out more about the RPO Club and sign up here.

*All ticket prices are subject to a £2 venue restoration levy (charged per ticket) and a £4 transaction fee (charged once per order).

A limited number of discounted tickets are available at £17* (Bands B–E) via the Southbank Centre to RPO Under 30s members (two per member, subject to availability). To book tickets, members should:

click on the 'Buy Tickets' link above to be transferred to Southbank Centre’s website, followed by 'Book Now'
click in the top right-hand corner where it says ‘Have a Promo Code?’ and insert your promo code (which was included in your welcome email)
select your preferred tickets from the available seats

Aged 18 to 29? Find out more about the RPO Under 30s and sign up for free here.

*Ticket price includes a £2 venue restoration levy (charged per ticket). An additional £4 transaction fee will also apply (charged once per order).

A limited number of £9* adult tickets (two per member, subject to availability) and two FREE under-18* tickets are available via the Southbank Centre to RPO Brent members are available in Bands B–E.

To book tickets, members should:

click on the 'Buy Tickets' link above to be transferred to Southbank Centre’s website, followed by 'Book Now'
click in the top right-hand corner where it says ‘Have a Promo Code?’ and insert your promo code (which was included in your welcome email)
select your preferred tickets from the available seats.

Tickets are limited so if the offer is not applied that may be because there are no longer any tickets available for this offer.

Live or work in Brent? Find out more about the RPO Brent membership and sign up here.

*Ticket price includes a £4 transaction fee (charged once per order). Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. All offers are subject to availability.

Reserve now, pay later. Access generous discounts and benefits by bringing a group to this concert.

6+ people save 15% (discount applied directly at checkout for bookings via the RPO website)
10+ people save 25%
30+ people save 35%
A free pair of tickets for the organiser (12+ parties)
Free programmes for the entire party
No payment needed until two months before the concert

School party tickets (8+ people, pupils must outnumber staff) are available for £5* at Cadogan Hall and the Royal Festival Hall and for £7* at the Royal Albert Hall. Phone 020 7608 8840 or visit our group booking page to find out more.

* For group and school bookings of up to 10 tickets, a £4 transaction fee applies. For group bookings of 10 or more, a £1 fee per ticket applies (capped at £30 per booking).

Prices may be subject to change; book as early as you can to secure the best choice of seats at the best possible prices. All requests are subject to availability.

Please note this event has an age recommendation of 12+. Under-16s can attend accompanied by an adult.

Large print programmes

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.