Italy. Land of sun, sea and serious culture 鈥� look no further than its great operatic Hall of Fame led by Giuseppe Verdi (that鈥檚 Joe Green to you and me). Inspired by Shakespeare鈥檚 tragic Othello, soprano Mariangela Sicilia joins us for Desdemona鈥檚 poignant soliloquy.

There鈥檚 a cameo from Giacomo Puccini, making his mark as a passionate dramatist with his early Symphonic Prelude. The silken Intermezzo from the opera Cavelleria rusticana provides some serenity amidst Pietro Mascagni鈥檚 torrid Sicilian drama.

It鈥檚 not all serioso though and the proof is in tonight鈥檚 sparkling opener: Rossini鈥檚 overture to The Thieving Magpie. There are more bubbles here than in a Bellini! To finish, Pulcinella gives us Italy鈥檚 answer to Punch and Judy. Our finale brings together the medieval with another musical magpie, Igor Stravinsky. Ingenious and witty, these crystalline Baroque dances are one of the many gifts Stravinsky gave to the world of ballet.