Lithuanian conductor Giedrė Šlekytė masterfully bridges the worlds of symphonic music and opera, making this programme a perfect fit for her talents. Schreker’s Nachtstück from Der ferne Klang evokes a haunting allure, with a mysterious sound that ties the protagonist to a lost love. Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin brims with tension, its stark opening capturing the harshness of urban life. His Second Violin Concerto, composed amidst the rise of fascism, balances raw power with tender lyricism. Alena Baeva, laureate of the 2005 Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition, brings these emotions to life, and the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to share the stage with her.