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 Events
Hough plays Hough
04 Jun 2026 – 19:30
Sir Stephen Hough joins the orchestra for a performance of his own piano concerto, a work ‘of jaw-dropping complexity and finger-crunching virtuosity’.
Learn More
Rainer Küchl
06 Jun 2026 – 19:30
The Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra is delighted to welcome Rainer Küchl for this recital at the Holywell Music Room.
Learn More
Beethoven Nine
08 Jun 2026 – 19:30
An evening of majestic, joy-filled Beethoven to celebrate Cyprus’s Presidency of the European Union.
Learn More
Hough plays Hough
Jun 04 2026 – 19:30
Sir Stephen Hough joins the orchestra for a performance of his own piano concerto, a work ‘of jaw-dropping complexity and finger-crunching virtuosity’.
Learn More
Rainer Küchl
Jun 06 2026 – 19:30
The Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra is delighted to welcome Rainer Küchl for this recital at the Holywell Music Room.
Learn More
Beethoven Nine
Jun 08 2026 – 19:30
An evening of majestic, joy-filled Beethoven to celebrate Cyprus’s Presidency of the European Union.
Learn More