Hilary Finch
Attend an evening with Andre Agassi

The weekend began with fantasy and fable. Vladimir Jurowski brought Russian singers to join the London Philharmonic for the first Proms performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Kashchey the Immortal. This “autumnal fairy tale in one act” was given a concert performance, but the rain on the Albert Hall's great dome was the perfect stage manager for the blustery entries and exits of the Storm Knight (resonantly sung by Mikhail Petrenko).
Vyacheslav Voynarovsky, a flinty-voiced tenor, was a rotund and cackling ogre of a Kashchey, whose death lay only in the tears of his stony-hearted daughter, Kashcheyevna. Sung by the red-haired and crimson-voiced mezzo Elena Manistina, she was finally made to weep by the heart-piercing soprano of Tatiana Monogarova as the Princess. The Storm Knight blew open the castle gates, and off she and Prince Ivan Korolevich (the ardent baritone Pavel Baransky) rode into the sunset.
The LPO and BBC Singers rose to the drama and to a score whose subtleties and refinement Jurowski emphasised. In Stravinsky's The Firebird Jurowski focused compellingly on the frenzied detail of the score: a wonderful sense of the sheer physical mobility of sound shaped this performance of the fairy-tale ballet Rimsky-Korsakov had helped to inspire.
More orchestral choreography from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Since Stéphane Denève took over, Roussel has become one of their calling cards; and they performed the Suite No 2 from his ballet Bacchus et Ariane with a lithe body of strings and deliciously Gallic and bucolic woodwind. They also gave eloquent performances of Debussy's La mer and Thea Musgrave's almost Roussel-like Rainbow, framing a sensitive and highly-strung account of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto by Stephen Hough.
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Get ready for the winter sports season, with our resort guides and snow reports
We are backing British business, what is the confidence of the nation and what businesses are succeeding?
Growing demand for energy, oil that is harder to reach and the rise of carbon dioxide emissions. We examine the energy challenge
With rail travel in Europe on the rise, we review the benefits of travelling by train
In this special section we explore new food trends to help improve your dinner party and impress guests
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
1998
£47,955
12 months for the price of 11 and a 5% discount.
Offer ends 31/11/09
Check your free Experian credit report before applying
Car Insurance
to £60K + bonus (OTE £90k)
Lord Search & Selection
Location Flexible
PwC’s Consulting practice helps businesses of all shapes
and sizes work smarter and grow faster.
£85k
CPA
Highly Competitve
Specsavers
Whiteley, near Southampton
Moments from Battersea Park.
For sale with Winkworth
Find out about shared ownership.
See your free Experian credit report beforehand
7nts - Penang £499; Borneo £699; All Inclusive £799 including flights, taxes, accommodation and private transfers
For your ultimate tailor-made ski holiday, click here
Get covered on your travels with a superb range of policies at great prices. Visit InsureandGo.com
World Class Golf, Spa and preferential Beach Club. Private estate overlooking West Coast
Villas from £275 per night inclusive of Golf
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.