There鈥檚 an 鈥榚lectric buzz in Belfast鈥�, according to at least one critic, and the combined energy of the Ulster Orchestra and its dynamic Chief Conductor Daniele Rustioni illuminates everything they play together. Tonight, it鈥檚 all about Austro-German Romanticism at its most ardent: whether Schumann鈥檚 punchy but poetic Fourth Symphony, the dreams of a young Gustav Mahler, or Wagner鈥檚 thrillingly sensual opera of unleashed love, lust and creativity. Louise Alder is the soloist in Richard Strauss鈥檚 Four Last Songs, and The Times called her 鈥榓 terrific talent, combining a big, lustrous voice with flawless intonation and keen intelligence鈥�. This young British star could have been born to sing Strauss鈥檚 lovely (and much-loved) final songs.

There will be no interval

Image: Daniele Rustioni 漏 Davide Cerati