鈥淚 saw the world end鈥︹€� Deep beneath the River Rhine lies a treasure that can rule 鈥� and break 鈥� the world. The price? That its bearer renounce love. From that single action 鈥� and a single note - Wagner鈥檚 colossal 鈥楻ing of the Nibelungs鈥� expands over four operas to weave a myth of love, power, destiny and redemption: a work of art so inspired, and so multi-layered, that even without words it stands as a masterpiece of unbreakable integrity and unparalleled imagination. Stripped of voices and scenery, in this hour-long 鈥渙rchestral adventure鈥� 鈥楾he Ring鈥� emerges as one of the 19th century鈥檚 mightiest symphonies. Hearing is believing, especially in the hands of a conductor like Antony Hermus who has a deep kinship with Wagner鈥檚 vision. The uproarious suite from Ligeti鈥檚 surreal apocalyptic opera 鈥楲e Grand Macabre鈥� 鈥� part Wagner, part 鈥楤arbarella鈥� 鈥� makes for an inspired prelude, coupled here with an early Haydn symphony that uncovers a world of emotion without wasting a single note.

Prelude: 6.45pm in the Recital Room (free to ticket-holders, subject to seating availability): guest conductor Antony Hermus discusses Henk de Vlieger鈥檚 鈥楾he Ring: An Orchestral Adventure鈥�, in conversation with 大象传媒 SSO violinist Alex Gascoine.

The concert will be recorded, for broadcast by 大象传媒 Radio 3 in 'Radio 3 in Concert' on Tuesday, 3 December at 7.30pm 鈥� presented by Jamie MacDougall. After broadcast it will be available to stream or download for 30 days via '大象传媒 Sounds'.