BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night is Music Night and the BBC Concert Orchestra are off to France. Expect Gallic chic, champagne melodies and southern sun– all without leaving Alexandra Palace Theatre!

Join the fabulous BBC Concert Orchestra and conductor Michael Seal as they head across the Channel for sunshine, sophistication and that Gallic je ne sais quoi. Sashay down the Champs Elysées with music by Percy Fletcher, trip the light fantastic with Cécile Chaminade and travel deep into la France profonde with Peter Hope and Richard Rodney Bennett: melodies packed with flavour.

We’re joined by the young pianist everyone’s talking about: BBC New Generation Artist Julius Asal for the sunny, swinging G major Piano Concerto by Maurice Ravel. You’ll also hear some of Bizet’s best-loved melodies, and Jean Foulds heads for the warmth of the Basque country. C’est formidable!