For complex simple Lie algebras of types B, C, and D, we provide new explicit formulas for the generators of the commutative subalgebra $\mathfrak z(\hat {\mathfrak g})\subset {{\mathcal {U}}}(t^{-1}\mathfrak g[t^{-1}])$ known as the Feigin–Frenkel centre. These formulas make use of the symmetrisation map as well as of some well-chosen symmetric invariants of $\mathfrak g$. There are some general results on the rôle of the symmetrisation map in the explicit description of the Feigin–Frenkel centre. Our method reduces questions about elements of $\mathfrak z(\hat {\mathfrak g})$ to questions on the structure of the symmetric invariants in a type-free way. As an illustration, we deal with type G$_2$ by hand. One of our technical tools is the map ${\sf m}\!\!: {{\mathcal {S}}}^{k}(\mathfrak g)\to \Lambda ^{2}\mathfrak g \otimes {{\mathcal {S}}}^{k-3}(\mathfrak g)$ introduced here. As the results show, a better understanding of this map will lead to a better understanding of $\mathfrak z(\hat {\mathfrak g})$.

We prove duality isomorphisms of certain representations of ${\mathcal{W}}$-algebras which play an essential role in the quantum geometric Langlands program and some related results.