William Walton in Concert

Cardiff Opera is delighted to be performing at Burdall's Yard and at the Bath Fringe Festival for the first time with two charming but very different pieces by Sir William Walton. Walton was one of the giants of twentieth century British music, with his output spanning orchestral, choral, operatic, and chamber works, as well as numerous film scores.

While a student, Walton became good friends with the poet Dame Edith Sitwell and it is her work that provide the text for 'Façade: An Entertainment'. Written for two reciters and chamber group, these quirky and humorous poems are well matched by Walton's witty and jazzy orchestration.

Paired with this is a suite from Walton's score for the film version of Shakespeare’s 'Henry V' starring Sir Laurence Olivier. A concert favourite of orchestras across the globe, this suite contains spoken extracts from Shakespeare's epic play, masterfully balanced with Walton's sweeping composition, arranged here for chamber orchestra by Henry Watson.

Both pieces will be performed by Niall Hoskin and Kate Willetts, with the Cardiff Opera Chamber Ensemble, and conducted by the company’s Artistic Director William Stevens. Join us for an evening of tongue-twisting lyrics, dance-like rhythms, sweeping grandeur, and passionate romance, all in equal measure.