Manchester's much beloved orchestra, The Hallé, is a regular visitor to Nottingham. This time with a treat for the francophiles with all things French, n'est-ce pas?
The Hallé begins the evening with a rousing performance of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, setting the tone for a bold, accessible and celebratory concert of French music. The Hallé is at its absolute best when under the assured direction of Stephen Bell, who is a brilliant and engaging conductor. He gets the very best from his orchestra, keeping them tight and purposeful.
One of the early highlights is Fauré’s Pavane performed with a gentle, flowing grace. Moments later soprano Rebecca Bottone takes to the stage. She is charming and technically precise. Her rendition of “Je veux vivre” from Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet is agile and full of character while “Ebben? Ne andrò lontana” is also excellent. Bottone is full of confidence, she has incredible vocal control and wonderful range.
endlessly energetic, exuberant and impossible not to enjoy
Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is another standout, conjuring up mental images of Fantasia particularly Mickey Mouse’s crazy encounter with magic broomsticks.
The second half offers more memorable moments including Debussy’s beautifully dreamlike Clair de Lune. Rachel Portman’s Chocolat adds a cinematic touch bridging classical and film music.
The crowd-pleasing conclusion is Offenbach’s Can Can which is a truly show-stopping finale, endlessly energetic, exuberant and impossible not to enjoy. It sends the audience out on a high, rounding off an evening that has been as musically impressive as it has been entertaining. Vive la France has been both a sophisticated and accessible celebration of French music.
C’etait magnifique!
The Hallé performed Vive la France at the Royal Concert Hall on Friday 27 March 2026
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