Reason in madness
11 October 2026, 7:30pm - 9:15pm
Love drives people to distraction! This ingenious programme from the wondrous soprano Carolyn Sampson and her longtime duo partner Joseph Middleton shows just how far such powerful feelings can go. From the obsessive character of Gretchen, who is inexorably drawn to Faust despite the downfall his kiss will bring, to Shakespeare’s Ophelia, to Jean Cocteau’s Lady of Monte Carlo, this unmissable evening is full of extreme emotions, from passion to desire to despair. In the hands of two such esteemed artists, this is set to be a captivating and devastatingly powerful concert.
Emerging Artists
At the start of this evening's concert, and at most of our evening concerts in the first week of the Festival, one of our eight exceptional Young Artist duos will give a 15-minute showcase performance. These emerging professionals are the stars of the future, and can also be heard during the Mastercourse later in the Festival.
Please note there will be a short 10 minute break during this event (the bar will not be open during the break).
Programme
Emerging Artists
- Gösta Nystroem (1890 - 1966)
- På Reveln
- Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)
- Stirb’, Lieb’ und Freud’! (1840) Op. 35 no.2 20–25.xi & 6–29.xii.1840 from Zwölf Gedichte von Justinus Kerner
Principal Artists
- Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)
- Gretchen am Spinnrade (1814) D118
- Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)
- Mädchenlied (1886) Op. 107 no.5 from Fünf Lieder
- Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)
- Die Spinnerin (1852) Op. 107 no.4 8.i.1852 from Sechs Gesänge
- Herzeleid (1851) Op. 107 no.1 21–23.i.1851 from Sechs Gesänge
- Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)
- Ophelia-Lieder WoO 22
- Richard Strauss (1864 - 1949)
- Drei Lieder der Ophelia (1918) Op. 67
- Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903)
- Mignon (Kennst du das Land) (1891) from Goethe-Lieder
- Mignon I (1889) no.5 from Goethe-Lieder
- Mignon II (1889) no.6 from Goethe-Lieder
- Mignon III (1889) no.7 from Goethe-Lieder
~~~ Interval ~~~
- Henri Duparc (1848 - 1933)
- Romance de Mignon (1869)
- Charles Koechlin (1867 - 1950)
- Hymne à Astarté Op. 39 from Chansons de Bilitis
- Claude Debussy (1862 - 1918)
- Chansons de Bilitis (1897) 1897-1898
- Charles Koechlin (1867 - 1950)
- Épitaphe de Bilitis Op. 39 from Chansons de Bilitis
- Camille Saint-Saëns (1835 - 1921)
- La mort d'Ophélie (1857) Op. 18 no.2
- Ernest Chausson (1855 - 1899)
- Chanson d'Ophélie (1910)
- Henri Duparc (1848 - 1933)
- Au pays où se fait la guerre (1877)
- Francis Poulenc (1899 - 1963)
- La dame de Monte Carlo (1961) FP 180
