Classical & Opera

Classical music encompasses repertoires from different periods, performed in recitals, chamber groups or large ensembles. Strings, winds, percussion and voices take on different roles according to the works and the forces involved. A programme may focus on a composer, a musical form or a dialogue between several styles. Listening is as much about interpretation, balance and interaction between the musicians as it is about the composition itself. Opera and the classical vocal repertoire combine singing with musical writing that can convey a story, a character or an emotion. Soloists, choirs and instrumentalists create contrasts in timbre, phrasing and dynamics. Depending on the programme, audiences encounter a staged work, a concert performance or a recital of arias and songs. These repertoires span different languages and periods, with particular attention to vocal projection and the relationship between words and music.