In a restless and angry world, music battles to make itself heard. And then, from amidst the turmoil and strife, a woman鈥檚 voice breaks through 鈥� singing not a hymn to joy, but a heartfelt and sorrowful blues. Michael Tippett had the idea for his Third Symphony while at the Edinburgh International Festival; written during the 鈥楽ummer of Love鈥�, it鈥檚 a masterpiece with an urgent message for the 21st century. And it鈥檚 a wonderfully appropriate counterpart to Elgar鈥檚 Sea Pictures. Songs of beauty, longing and despair from a composer who was anything but a stiff old Edwardian gent, sung here by the great Scottish mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill.

(approximate finish time: 9:30pm)

Prelude: 6.45pm in the Recital Room
Diana Burrell, composer and Tippett aficionado, talks about her own response to Tippett鈥檚 unique musical voice. Preludes take place in the Recital Room at City Halls and are free to ticket-holders (limited seating availability).

The concert will be broadcast live on 成人快手 Radio 3, presented by Andrew McGregor.