Prom 16: Stravinsky, Debussy & Wagner by Wagner, Richard, Debussy, Stravinsky, Ó (2018/2018), Seoltóir Mark Elder

Sabine Devieilhe and Anna Stéphany are the soloists in centenary composer Claude Debussy’s Wagner-infused, mythical-fantasy cantata La damoiselle élue. Wagner’s relationship with Paris soured over his opera Tannhäuser but Stravinsky was practically adopted by the city. Tonight’s second half features two of the latter’s most colourful scores, whose striking resemblances result from the fact that Stravinsky broke off work on The Nightingale (the opera on which tonight’s symphonic poem is based) in order to write his first ballet, The Firebird. Please note that Sabine Devieilhe has withdrawn from this Prom owing to illness. We are delighted to announce that Sophie Bevan will take her place in Debussy’s La demoiselle elue.