The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra made its Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall with an all-Richard Strauss programme under Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The review found the Rosenkavalier suite structurally awkward but skilfully managed, while the performance of Ein Heldenleben was judged exceptional, confirming the conductor and orchestra’s strengths in large-scale late-Romantic repertoire.

South African soprano Elza van den Heever gave a powerful, visceral rendition of Salome’s final scene, though the orchestra occasionally covered her voice. Ein Heldenleben, Strauss’s 50-minute self-portrait of artistic triumph, featured vivid orchestral characterisation, including Benjamin Bowman’s solo violin, offstage brass and a finely controlled conclusion; the concert is available on BBC Sounds until 12 October.