Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra continue their Berlioz Odyssey with a live performance of Berlioz's last and most touching tribute to his adored Shakespeare, the opera Beatrice and Benedict. The composer called it "a caprice written with the point of a needle," and made his own text as faithful as possible to Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing. For this performance the spoken action follows Shakespeare's original English and the vocal numbers are sung in French.

Berlioz Beatrice and Benedict

London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, conductor Colin Davis

Act 1

8.30 Interval: Berlioz In Love
Christopher Cook talks to biographer David Cairns about the women in Berlioz's life, his passion for Shakespeare, and how they were intertwined.

8.55 Act 2