Los Angeles Philharmonic: Dudamel Conducts Tchaikovsky March 13, 2011

Tchaikovsky expressed strong, sometimes dismissive, opinions about all kinds of artists: authors, actors, composers, etc. But one he held in high esteem was Shakespeare. He even tried learning English so he could read the Bard in the original. Although no operas resulted, Tchaikovsky did leave us three single-movement orchestral fantasies or overtures inspired by Shakespeare plays. At these performances, actors will place the music in context of the playwright's immortal words.