Royal Festival Hall 50th Birthday Gala Concert
The Royal Festival Hall opened 50 years ago today as the centrepiece of the 1951 Festival of Britain. Tonight's live starstudded gala celebration will raise funds forthe refurbishment of the hall.
Angela Gheorghiu (soprano), Marcello Giordani (tenor), Dmitri Hvorostovsky (baritone), Murray Perahia (piano), Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor Valery Gergiev National Anthem
Harrison Birtwistle Fanfare (first performance)
Beethoven Overture: Leonora No 3
Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor
8.10 Twenty Minutes: The Festival of Britain
Patrick Wright looks back on the 1951 Festival of Britain and explores what it meant to the nation then and now.
8.30 Verdi Overture; Pace, Pace Mio Dio (La Forza del Destino); Aria and Cabaletto (Luisa Miller); Cortigiani Vil Rizza Dannata (Rigoletto); Ah Si Ben Mio; Di Quella Pira; Scene and aria (Don Carlos)
Catallnl Ebben, NeAndroLontana(La Wally) Verdi Overture: / Vespri Siciliani See Music: page 17