Michalis Economou conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in the Eroica, the symphony Beethoven withdrew from Napoleon, in the second concert of its Beethoven bicentenary.
Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony closes the second Beethoven 200 concert by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea on Tuesday 9 March 2027. The French pianist Elizabeth Sombart plays the Fourth Piano Concerto.
Beethoven first conceived the symphony around Napoleon. When Bonaparte fell in his estimation, he rededicated it to the memory of a great man.
The Greek conductor Michalis Economou leads the evening. He was chief conductor of the Athens Municipality Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchestra of Colours. He has chaired the music department at Athens Technical University since 2004.
Economou is also a composer with eleven competition prizes, the ALEA III International Composition Competition among them. His works have been performed at Carnegie Hall and the Athens Megaron.
The four-concert series falls 200 years after Beethoven’s death in 1827. The City of London Choir joins the orchestra for the Missa Solemnis that ends it.
Sombart, who has recorded with the RPO, is the soloist across the series. The programme opens with the Fidelio Overture and its themes of loyalty and courage.