Bravi Celli: Opera Reimagined
Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
- Date night
- Great for groups
- Under 90 mins
- Early finish
- Date
- Mon, 19 Apr 2027
- Time
- 13:00 · 1h 0m
- Venue
- Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
- City
- Liverpool
- Tickets
- from £18
You'll be taken to the ensemble's official site.
Summary
Cellists Anna Crawford, Anna Stuart, Mark Lindley and Alexander Holladay perform arrangements of Bach, Mozart, Bizet and Wagner at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
Why it's fantastic
Experience the deep, resonant textures of four cellos as they transform high-drama opera favorites into intimate chamber music. You will hear the familiar themes of Carmen and Tannhäuser stripped back to their soulful essentials, all within a compact hour that makes for a perfect introduction to these famous melodies.
Our guide to this performance
What you'll hear
We are set to hear a unique adaptation of the operatic and liturgical canon, reframed for an ensemble of four cellos. The evening begins with the structured clarity of Bach chorales, including BWV 140, which provide a foundation of four-part harmony before the programme moves into the theatre. You will hear the familiar energy of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and the rhythmic flair of Bizet’s Carmen, though the usual orchestral weight is replaced by the singing, wooden resonance of the cello. A particular highlight is the transition into the heavier Romantic soundscapes of Wagner and Verdi. Listen for how the instruments divide the roles of soprano and tenor in the excerpts from La Traviata, and how the rich textures of the Tannhäuser Overture are maintained with just four players. The performance concludes with fragments from Parsifal, offering a contemplative end to a journey through these grand musical dramas.
Who's performing
The Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is represented here by four of its own: Anna Crawford, Anna Stuart, Mark Lindley, and Alexander Holladay. This ensemble is typically known for its residency at the heart of the city’s musical life, delivering large-scale symphonic works. In this smaller configuration, these musicians demonstrate the versatility of the cello as both a melodic and rhythmic engine. They are recognised for their technical precision and their ability to translate the vast scale of an opera house into the more personal, focused environment of a chamber recital.
Planning your evening
This performance takes place at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in the centre of Liverpool. With a total duration of 60 minutes and no interval, it is a practical choice for those seeking a shorter evening or a concise introduction to famous melodies. As this is a purely instrumental arrangement of operatic themes, there is no libretto to follow and no surtitles are required. The atmosphere is generally relaxed, and while there is no specific dress code, most patrons choose smart-casual attire for a concert of this length.
Written by the Bravura editorial team from the ensemble's published programme and venue information. We don't reproduce copy from box-office sites. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Programme
- 01Bach Chorales, BWV 402, 323, 300 and 140
- 02Mozart The Marriage of Figaro: Overture and ‘Voi che sapete’
- 03Verdi La Traviata: 'Sempre libera' and 'Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo'
- 04Bizet Movements from Carmen
- 05Wagner (arr. Jacobowsky) Fragments d'après Parsifal
- 06Wagner Tannhäuser, Overture
Soloists
- Anna Crawford
- Anna Stuart
- Mark Lindley
- Alexander Holladay
