High drama: the Bundesjugendorchester with Wagner and Berlioz

Heartbreak, a magnificent ball, a rural idyll, a march to the scaffold and a witches’ sabbath: in his Symphonie fantastique, Hector Berlioz unfolds a sweeping musical drama rich in delicate, iridescent and grotesque orchestral colours. His virtuosic handling of the orchestra also inspired Richard Wagner, whose Wesendonck-Lieder are often seen as the precursor to Tristan und Isolde. In this Berlin guest appearance, the Bundesjugendorchester – bringing together Germany’s most talented young musicians aged 14 to 19 – performs both works.