Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale
Created at the time of the Spanish Flu epidemic, Stravinsky’s 1918 masterwork was dreamt up as a travelling theatre piece for four performers and seven instrumentalists. Just over a century later, as the world was again forced into lockdown, the Hallé turned to the work with a fresh perspective.
At its heart, this dark Russian folk tale of a soldier (Martins Imhangbe), devil (Mark Lockyer) and princess (Faith Prendergast) tackles themes of power, temptation and desire. Set to some of Stravinsky’s most affecting music, the score interweaves jazz and popular dance, including tango and ragtime.
This 2021 production was created specially for camera: our protagonist finds himself trudging the towpaths of Manchester’s Rochdale Canal, ruminating on car park rooves and sulking outside one of the city’s beloved pubs. Mark Elder conducts the Hallé septet, with witty and immersive direction from Annabel Arden and Femi Elufowoju Jr.
BBC Four, November, Date and Time TBC