Live in stereo from the Royal Albert Hall , television and radio join to relay the entire concert, with its unique blend of musical integrity and end-of-season festivity. The Italian emphasis that has marked the 1986 season continues in both halves of tonight's programme with the BBC Symphony Chorus director GARETH MORRELL BBC Symphony Orchestra leader RODNEY FRIEND conducted by Raymond Leppard Introduced by Richard Baker Parti The Italian theme is acknowledged in two rarely-heard works by the youthful Puccini. Preludio sinfonico, a rapt homage to Wagner, was written when Puccini was an 18-year-old student. Messa di gloria was Puccini's graduation exercise four years later; already his masterly touch foreshadows the great operas. With soloists David Rendall (tenor) David Wilson-Johnson (baritone) Matthew Best (bass) (Part 2 is on BBC1 at 8.55pm)
