When Hector Berlioz saw a performance of Shakespeare鈥檚 Hamlet featuring an Irish actress named Harriet Smithson as Ophelia, he fell head over heels in love and found his calling in life. In his Symphonie Fantastique, Berlioz set out to prove that love while writing a manifesto for French music based on passion, humour, spirit and pride. But Berlioz鈥檚 captivating symphonic story would be remembered just as much for its compelling debauchery and torment.

Jordan De Souza brings with him a premonition of Berlioz鈥檚 own Witch鈥檚 Sabbath in the form of Edith Canat de Chizy鈥檚 new work Omen, and has both Noriko Ogawa and Kathryn Stott for company in Vaughan Williams鈥檚 rarely heard and consistently surprising Concerto for Two Pianos.