Just as the moon influences the tides, it has long been blamed for wayward human behaviour, especially in love. Our opening concert this year reaches for the moon in glorious songs by Schumann and Schubert, thinking of distant lovers; Fauré and Reynaldo Hahn evoking the same exquisite moonlit wood; Henry Mancini's 'dream maker and heart breaker'; and Fauré again, observing human fickleness under the light of the moon. The songs are framed by Pärt's meditation on the famous Moonlight sonata; Debussy's unforgettable translation of moonlight ('clair de lune') into sound; and Chopin's ultimate romantic nocturne.

Arvo Pärt Spiegel im spiegel (The mirror in the mirror)

Schubert An den Mond (To the moon) D193

Schumann Mondnacht (Moonlit night)

Debussy Clair de lune (Moonlight)

Fauré La lune blanche... (The white moon shines in the woods) and Clair de lune

Reynaldo Hahn L'heure exquise (The exquisite hour)

Henry Mancini Moon River

Chopin Piano concerto no.2, op21, arranged for chamber ensemble.

Reto Bieri, Heini Kärkkäinen, Dorottya Láng, Julius Drake, Priya Mitchell, Tetiana Lutsyk, Sascha Bota, Claude Frochaux, Jordi Carrasco Hjelm, Polina Leschenko, Julian Arp.

Festival Pass

Experience all the scintillating performances at the Festival under one Festival Pass. The Pass saves £54 compared to purchasing the tickets individually and affords you the greatest level of access. Pass holders have priority access to the venues as soon as doors open to choose their favourite seats ahead of individual ticket holders.

In order to buy a Festival Pass, you will need to select one full price ticket for all eight concerts in your basket. Once you have selected your tickets, your basket will be discounted to £160.

Wheelchair Spaces

If you require a wheelchair space for this event, please call 01865 305 305 or email boxoffice@oxfordplayhouse.com for further assistance.