BBC Proms 2026: John Wilson conducts Respighi’s Roman Trilogy at the Royal Albert Hall

The Sinfonia of London orchestra performs the first of its two BBC Proms 2026 concerts with a picturesque medley.

The evening begins with the Overture to The Force of Destiny by Giuseppe Verdi. The brass announces the opening with a few isolated notes, before the concitato section. The strings initially move with ecstatic energy, before transitioning smoothly into quieter passages.

Cellist Jonathan Aasgaard takes his place beside conductor John Wilson for William Walton’s Cello Concerto. This is a work delivered with remarkable lyricism. In the first movement, Moderato, the pulsating harps intertwine with the clarinets and flutes in a crisp exchange. The pace gathers momentum in the Allegro Appassionato, developing into a dynamic sequence in which the whole orchestra joins in. The cello is given full prominence in the final movement, Tema Ed Improvvisazioni: Aasgaard starts alone before entering into a poignant dialogue with the orchestra. This animated showcase of the expressive range of the cello across its entire fingerboard alternates between brisk and measured passages, creating an intensity that earns prolonged applause from the hall.

The second half of the evening is devoted to Ottorino Respighi’s triptych of symphonic poems inspired by the Eternal City. The sequence unfolds as a marvellous crescendo, with the orchestra painting vivid scenes through the power of its performance. The ensemble’s cohesion is palpable, while Wilson’s direction grows ever more passionate as the music unfolds. Roman Festivals opens with the jubilant flourish of timpani and xylophone before giving way to a more tense atmosphere, reflecting Respighi’s depiction of the Ludi Circenses of ancient Rome, heralded by trombones and trumpets positioned away from the main stage. As the work crosses different eras and traditions, the strings drive the music forward with a triumphant allegro, culminating in the exhilarating final movement, La Befana.

In Fountains of Rome, the gentle trickling of water is never directly imitated, but rather suggested through the fluid movement of the strings, the entrance of the harps, and the clarinets in the background. The piece concludes with the sound of distant bells.

The trilogy reaches its lyrical peak with Pines of Rome, where the sombre tones evolve into an oasis of grace and natural tranquillity, evoking the setting of Villa Borghese. An undercurrent of tension remains, only to be soothed by birdsong. The work builds towards its glorious ending, reinforced by extra trumpets positioned offstage near the organ.

To the audience’s sustained applause, Wilson and the Sinfonia of London respond with a spirited encore of Rossini’s William Tell Overture. The evening has brought to life idyllic scenes through instrumental sound, bringing the concert to a festive close.

Cristiana Ferrauti
Photo: Chris Christodoulou

The BBC Proms 2026 are on from 17^th July until 12^th September 2026 at the Royal Albert Hall. For further information and future events, visit the BBC Proms website here.