With 5 world-renowned symphony orchestras and equally famous chamber orchestras (such as the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields who will join us on 4 June), London is the envy of all her rivals. Founded in 1946 by Sir Thomas Beecham, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra belongs to this much envied elite. Its current director is Charles Dutoit, legendary Swiss conductor whose name remains linked to that of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Highlight of the New Year concerts, Nicola’s overture to The Merry Wives of Windsor will bring us a very Viennese interpretation this comedy by Shakespeare. As for Dvořák’s magnificent New World Symphony, it will take us on a transatlantic voyage: written in New York and permeated with local music, it nonetheless conveys the composer’s nostalgia for his homeland Bohemia. Following her successful performance last year of Liszt’s Second Concerto, Khatia Buniatishvili has chosen for her return performance at the Auditorium Beethoven’s Concerto No. 1, and its inimitable last movement.