Concert conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy. Music by Elgar (18.00). Repeated 21 Feb (21.00), 22 Feb (19.30).

At the Auditorium-Parco della Musica, Edward Elgars The dream of Gerontius, based on a poem by Cardinal John Newman, will be performed (19, 21, 22 Feb). It is considered by many to be Elgars best work, and the one that made his name internationally. Richard Strauss, who heard its first performance at the Birmingham festival in 1900, was one of its admirers. However it was a more profane work, the celebrated patriotic march, Pomp and Circumstance, that brought him real fame. Nevertheless his production of religious works was considerable and owes much to the influence of Brahms and Wagner. The soloists in this Rome concert are Lilli Paasikivi, Mark Tucker and Dietrich Henschel, and Vladimir Ashkenazy doubles as conductor and pianist. Paolo Di Nicola