Preview - Reverb Festival at The Roundhouse from February 24-26 and March 3-4
Published: 23 February, 2012
The popular Night Shift is back at the Roundhouse tomorrow (Friday), launching the second contemporary classical Reverb festival spread over two weekends.
Berlioz’s mammoth dramatic symphony Romeo et Juiliet is the central piece in the Night Shift. It is being played by the 90-piece Orchestra of the Age of the Enlightenment conducted by Sir Mark Elder.
Before and after the OAE performance will be live sets by the Roundhouse Music Collective playing a blend of alternative classical, jazz and electronica.
The OAE’s performance comes near the end of the orchestra’s Night Shift programme taking classical music into pubs, including the Green Carnation in Soho; and Old Queen’s Head at the Angel.
Informality rules the roost. For instance, talking on mobile phones is allowed, hopefully not by everyone at the same time. And those with itchy feet can wander around, buy a drink, go out for a smoke.
My guess is Berlioz will be win out against the mobiles. His Romeo et Juiliet is widely regarded as his finest work – it was the inspiration for Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde – and the magnificent music could well silence the Roundhouse crowd.
Other Roundhouse Reverb highlights include an Aurora Orchestra concert on Saturday and singers Imogen Heap/ Ana Silvera on Sunday.
The festival continues on Saturday March 3 with a performance by the London Contemporary Orchestra playing the European premiere of Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Bass Drum and Orchestra and works by other composers.
On Sunday March 4, the Roundhouse is being taken over by Voices Now featuring choirs from around the country.
• Reverb Festival, February 24-26 and March 3-4, The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1, 0844 482 8008, www.roundhouse.org.uk/reverb