AS Hallowe'en nears and the winter nights draw in, a concert full of drama, desire and devilry is sure to be just the ticket.

On Friday, October 22, The Philharmonia Orchestra will present Berlioz's The Damnation of Faust at The Anvil Theatre in Basingstoke.

Joined by mezzo-soprano Ruxandra Donose and tenor Gregory Kunde, plus the London Philharmonic Choir, the orchestra will perform this stunning masterpiece based on the original classic Goethe's Faust.

The story takes as its central theme man's desire to know and experience all, a desire that can only be fulfilled by selling one's soul to the devil.

When Berlioz first read the classic legend at the age of 25, he said that it 'struck him like a thunderbolt' and he was immediately drawn to the idea of adding his own artistic vision to the piece.

Revisiting the work as a mature composer, his vision finally came true, and one of the 19th century's greatest compositions was produced.

Full of extreme, vivid contrasts and resonating with gorgeous vocal and symphonic music, The Damnation of Faust takes the audience on an emotional ride through the extremes of human desire and its downfall.

Performed in French with English subtitles, under the great Berlioz conductor Charles Dutoit, this is sure to be an outstanding evening. The event offers a rare chance to hear the piece in full, as it is being performed by the Philharmonia on only three dates in this country.

Tickets are priced from £13.50. Call the box office on 01256 844244.