Jamie Barton and Clay Hilley ride the waves for Mahler's epic farewell

Clay Hiller & Anja Bihlmaier
© BBC/Chris Christodoulou

Jamie Barton (mezzo-soprano)

Clay Hilley (tenor)

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Anja Bihlmaier (conductor)

7pm, Friday 21 August 2026
BBC Proms
Royal Albert Hall, London

★★★★

El-Turk, Bushra (b.1982): Mosaic

Haydn, Joseph (1732-1809): Symphony Not 45 in F sharp minor, 'Farewell'

Mahler, Gustav (1860-1911): Das Lied von der Erde

Jamie Barton & Anja Bihlmaier
© BBC/Chris Christodoulou

El-Turk:

'A striking piece that definitely benefits from repeat listening'.

Haydn:

'The players’ gradual departure was stylishly staged and, following Bihlmaier‘s departure and a cheeky yawn and wave from the viola, the two violinists were left alone to finish'.

Mahler:

'Hilley’s operatic delivery of the Drinking Song of Earth’s Misery was gripping, full of drunken swagger. Despite initial balance issues, his repeated 'Dark is life, dark is death!' rang through with knife-edge precision'.

'Bihlmaier brought the orchestra right down, allowing Barton to colour her delivery with sensuous slides, shimmering with golden sunlight'. 

'Barton exuded warmth for 'Die liebe Erde' with mandolins again and celesta, before the final tragic 'Ewig' (Forever) repetitions brought the evening to a sombre yet peaceful conclusion'.  

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.