Balzac referred to it as a monstrous miracle, an astonishing structure of movements, engines and thoughts, the city of 100,000 novels, the head of the world: Paris. In the 19th century the world's capital is a musical magnet and a Mekka for pianists. When it loves something the object of its affection becomes a part of it. Fryderyk Chopin from Warsaw and Jacob Offenbach from Cologne are turned into the most French of Frenchmen. It invents Carmen, the most Spanish of Spanish women, makes ancient divinities dance the Can-Can and Faust and Gretchen waltz off ... The melodic festival finale features a bouquet of favourites and a brilliant young pianist at the grand piano. Play it again, France!