French Pastoral

French Pastoral
Fauré Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op. 80
Britten Les Illuminations, Op. 18
Debussy Prélude à l’aprés-midi d’un faune
Ravel Ma mère l’oye (Mother Goose Suite)
Ruby Hughes soprano
Nicolò Foron conductor
It was quite the gift: in 1910, Ravel wrote a set of five pieces for piano depicting classic fairytales for two children he babysat. But these little stories, from Tom Thumb to Beauty and the Beast, proved far more significant when augmented and orchestrated. The result was a present to Ravel from himself: a musical magic garden that allowed the composer to escape into a world of childlike wonder. Nicolò Foron conducts it here alongside more beauteous music from France and Britten’s sparkling setting of French poetry, Les Illuminations.
The Sheldonian Theatre is a unique space to experience live music. To see an interactive map of the theatre click here.
18 May 2023
Tickets: £15, £28, £38, £48
(Students from £5)
Duration: 120 min
Venue: Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street
(Students from £5)
Upcoming events
View All EventsDvořák Eight
10 Apr 2025 – 19:30
Bomsori Kim brings her virtuosic storytelling to two spellbinding violin works, complemented by Marios Papadopoulos the thrilling Symphony No. 8 by Dvořák.
Learn MoreMozart Great Mass in C Minor
17 Apr 2025 – 19:30
Sir John Rutter conducts Mozart’s monumental Great Mass in C minor alongside some of the most sublime music Mozart wrote for the church.
Learn MoreMahler One
10 May 2025 – 19:00
Marios Papadopoulos conducts Mahler’s Titanic symphony after another work from our Composer-in-Residence Alexey Shor.
Learn MoreDvořák Eight
Apr 10 2025 – 19:30
Bomsori Kim brings her virtuosic storytelling to two spellbinding violin works, complemented by Marios Papadopoulos the thrilling Symphony No. 8 by Dvořák.
Learn MoreMozart Great Mass in C Minor
Apr 17 2025 – 19:30
Sir John Rutter conducts Mozart’s monumental Great Mass in C minor alongside some of the most sublime music Mozart wrote for the church.
Learn MoreMahler One
May 10 2025 – 19:00
Marios Papadopoulos conducts Mahler’s Titanic symphony after another work from our Composer-in-Residence Alexey Shor.
Learn More