Opera Tickets Italy

Gustav Mahler's Symphony No 4 in G Major is conducted by the much-admired Italian maestro, Daniele Rustioni at Venice's inspiring auditorium, the Gran Teatro La Fenice. Featuring the esteemed La Fenice Orchestra, this performance of Mahler's fourth symphonic work also includes a vocalist since the famous final movement of the symphony is based on a song, Das Himmlische Leben, or – as it is known in English, 'The Heavenly Life'. With such a superb interpreter of music from the turn of the nineteenth century in charge and an awe-inspiring venue with exceptional acoustics, this concert series is sure to delight audience goers.

Mahler began his Fourth Symphony in 1899 and completed it in 1901. Originally conceived as a six-movement work, which would have included three vocal movements, the final form the composer settled on has just four movements, only one of which is sung. The first performance of the Fourth Symphony took place in Munich on 25 November 1901 with the composer himself conducting what was then the Kaim Orchestra, now known as the Munich Philharmonic.

Mahler was disappointed at the work's initial reception which some critics thought was inferior to his more expansive earlier symphonic orchestrations. Perhaps this is because Mahler chose to score this work with a light – some would say delicate – touch with no trombones or tubas in the brass section, just horns and trumpets among the other wind instruments. In addition, there is a reduced number of stringed instruments than would have been usual at the time for a fully orchestrated symphony. That said, Mahler's selection of percussion instruments is more expansive. The work includes cymbals and timpani as well as lesser-used instruments such as sleigh bells, a triangle, a tam-tam and a glockenspiel.

The Fourth Symphony continued Mahler's exploration of folklore and folk music. Its opening movement contains many arresting tunes which the composer adapted from the traditional sources he was so fascinated with. Indeed, the second movement contains a violin with an unusual tuning which suggests Mahler wanted to convey something of the country fiddle player in his symphony. Given that the concerts take place at Venice's opera house under the musical direction of Rustioni, a former winner of the Best Conductor of the Year prize at the prestigious International Opera Awards, these events will inspire all who attend.