CBSO Explores: Friends in Love and War

As part of their CBSO Explores series, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra respond to Ikon’s exhibition Friends in Love and War – L’Éloge des meilleur·es ennemi·es to further consider visual elements within the concert hall.

The concert includes pieces by French and British composers, and we are delighted to welcome Héloïse Werner, a French-born, London-based composer and soprano, to perform a world premiere of her piece, siren suite. Werner’s piece portrays five magical siren-like characters (the soprano) as they each control and manipulate the sea (the orchestra) in strange and powerful ways. It is heard here alongside Debussy’s La Mer (The Sea).

The programme also features Satie’s collaboration with René Clair and includes the surrealistic film Entr’acte. Satie was a good friend of Debussy and had an influence on his music, creating another layer of connection between tonight’s works.

The CBSO Explores series is supported by the Dunard Fund and this concert is supported by the John Feeney Charitable Trust.

Pre-concert exhibition tour, 5.30pm
Ikon Gallery, Brindleyplace, B1 2HS
Free entry, no need to book

Join us at Ikon Gallery for a free tour of the current exhibition Friends in Love and War – L’Éloge des meilleur·es ennemi·es, led by Amrit Sanghera, Curatorial Fellow.

Please note the tour lasts for about 30 minutes and no need to book.

Friends in Love and War – L’Éloge des meilleur·es ennemi·es is supported by the British Council and is presented as part of UK/France Spotlight on Culture 2024 Together We Imagine, with additional support from Fluxus Art Projects and Birmingham City University.