While writing his Third Symphony, Mahler remarked that to compose a symphony was to ‘construct a world’, as is demonstrated by the variety of styles and content to be found within this monumental work. In common with others of his symphonies, he makes use of solo vocal and choral elements – and borrows inventively from his own compositions, as well as material from poetic works (Nietzsche’s Also sprach Zarathustra).

For this penultimate concert in the Royal Orchestral Society’s 150th anniversary season, the orchestra is reunited with former principal conductor Orlando Jopling. During his tenure, Orlando led the R.O.S. through exciting and ambitious repertoire, and was pivotal in raising the orchestra’s standards and profile.

The R.O.S. is also delighted to be joined by the award-winning Italian mezzo-soprano Arlene Belli and the Choir of St John the Divine Kennington.