Four Last Songs
Four Last Songs
Wagner Overture to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, WWV 96
Strauss Oboe Concerto in D major, TrV 292
Wagner Prelude to ‘Parsifal’
Strauss Four Last Songs, TrV 296
Lucy Crowe soprano
Gordon Hunt oboe
Marios Papadopoulos conductor
In 1948, Richard Strauss sensed the end was nigh. Germany lay in ruins, its major opera houses destroyed by war. As his attempts to ignite a cultural rebirth in his homeland proved futile, Strauss turned to music. His final goodbye was a series of four iconic orchestral songs that, in the words of David Bowie, ‘ache with love for a life quietly fading.’ Lucy Crowe joins the Orchestra for a performance of Strauss’s profoundly moving musical epitaph alongside the Orchestra’s Solo Oboe Gordon Hunt performing Strauss’s tender Oboe Concerto written just a few years earlier.
The Sheldonian Theatre is a unique space to experience live music. To see an interactive map of the theatre click here.
27 Nov 2025
Tickets: £18, £30, £40, £54
(Students from £5)
Duration: 120 min
Venue: Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street
(Students from £5)
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Nov 06 2025 – 19:30
In the splendid surroundings of Oxford Town Hall, Marios Papadopoulos leads a performance of the most adventurous and thrilling gallery visit of all time.
Learn More
Shostakovich Celebration
Nov 08 2025 – 19:30
The Carducci Quartet continue their acclaimed journey through Shostakovich’s quartets at the Holywell Music Room.
Learn More
FUNomusica Family Concert: It’s About Time
Nov 09 2025 – 16:00
From first thing in the morning to last thing at night, the Oxford Philharmonic takes us through the day with music to match!
Learn More