
Four masterpieces of the French repertoire are here presented alongside Rachmaninov’s impossibly romantic piano concerto.
Berlioz’s vibrant Roman Carnival Overture is a colourful symphonic firework, based on material Berlioz had written for an earlier, ill-fated opera. It includes a folk dance from the opera’s second act featuring a carnival scene in Rome’s Piazza Colonna.
One of the world’s greatest pianists, Nikolai Lugansky, performs Rachmaninov’s enduringly popular second piano concerto. Brooding, emotional, and passionate, the concerto was ecstatically received at its premiere in 1901 and has been a staple of the piano repertoire ever since.
Ravel’s serene Mother Goose Suite and his dramatic evocation of the waltz, La Valse, round off this concert along with Franck’s symphonic poem evoking the dark, fantastic atmosphere of an infernal chase.
Presented by Bristol Beacon
Marko Letonja Conductor
Nikolai Lugansky Piano
Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra
Programme
Hector Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture
Sergei Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2
César Franck Le Chasseur Maudit
Maurice Ravel Mother Goose Suite
Maurice Ravel La Valse
Pre-Concert Talk with Jonathan James
Lantern Hall, 18:25. Free with concert ticket.
Format: Reserved seating
Age: For all ages (Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult)
Doors: 19:00
Start Time: 19:30
All timings are approximate and subject to change
“Berlioz’s spectacular set pieces teem with sheer adrenalin.”
Gramophone

Pre-concert Talk
with Jonathan James
18:25, Lantern Hall (30 mins)
Free with a concert ticket
Pre-concert talks are a great way to take a deep dive into the season’s concerts.
Hosted by conductor, music educator, writer and presenter Jonathan James, these talks introduce the works in the programme, include interviews with members of the orchestras and illuminate the creative process.
Orchestral Ticket Prices
There are four price bands (Bands A-D) for each concert in the Orchestral Season 2023/24. A fifth price band (Premium) will apply to some concerts in the season.
Within price bands A-D, there are two types of ticket: Standard and Open Concession.
If you are under 26, there is a fixed ticket price available on a limited number of seats for every concert.
Ticket Offers
If you purchase tickets for more than one concert in the 2023/24 Orchestral Season, you may be able to take advantage of our Multibuy offer.
Buy 3 concerts save 10%
Buy 4-7 concerts save 20%
Buy 8-10 concerts save 25%
Buy 11 concerts save 30%
In order to qualify for the discount, tickets for the corresponding number of concerts must be purchased in one transaction.
About Beacon Hall
Our new flagship venue at Bristol Beacon
Seating plans

Seating plans
Beacon Hall has three levels that can be used in a seated or standing format. View seating plans, auditorium entrances and exits and accessible viewing areas.
Venue information

Venue information
Take a closer look at our beautifully restored venue, see what’s on and view detailed information about the performance space.
The venue
Beacon Hall
at Bristol Beacon
Getting to the venue
Location: Beacon Hall is located within Bristol Beacon. Head to Level 1 and follow signs to find the auditorium.
Address: Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR
Bicycle
Bicycle racks can be found in front of the main entrance on Trenchard Street, Colston Street, and on the city centre promenade. Find your nearest cycle routes using Cycle Planner.
Car parking
Trenchard Street multi-storey car park is 200m away, directly behind Bristol Beacon.
Bristol Clean Air Zone
Bristol Beacon is inside the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Check if your vehicle will be charged and how much you’ll have to pay.
Bus
Most bus services stop in and around the city centre promenade, 250m from Bristol Beacon.
Access
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users are in:
- row S in the centre of the rear Stalls (10 spaces)
- row Z in the left and right wings at the back of Lower Tier (4 spaces, 2 on each side),
- rows G/H on the left only at the back of Upper Tier (2 spaces)
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs and emotional support animals are allowed in the performance space. Seats in row F are most suitable. If you prefer, you can leave your animal with a member of staff during the performance.
Hearing Facility
A Sennheiser MobileConnect assistive listening system is installed in the venue. Download the free App and use your own mobile device and headphones to listen to the performance. (Devices are available on request.)
Eat & Drink

Eat & Drink
We’ve got plenty of places for you to relax and refill. From coffee and cake, to delicious sharing boards, to full menus.
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Event Ticket Coverage
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19:30