Best Classical Music and Opera 2019
English National Opera got back on its feet, the Proms went from strength to strength, and the Royal Opera House season grew and grew
Beethoven 250
A year-long celebration of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven in 1770. Political turmoil, social unrest ... the world into which Beethoven was born in 1770 may seem remote, but today's audiences recognise many of the emotions and much of the background that run through his vast output
Read more ...34th Christmas Festival, St John's Smith Square
Christmas music performed by the best London and visiting choirs and orchestras, in Westminster's atmospheric Georgian venue (pictured). The annual festival includes Carols by Candlelight (14 Dec), Bach's mighty Christmas Oratorio (22 Dec) and Handel's Messiah (23 Dec).
Read more ...City of London Sinfonia concerts
Celebrating the words of TS Eliot and music of Benjamin Britten, an immersive concert at Southwark Cathedral. Then some new tales for the Arabian Nights, with Ruth Padel, DBC Pierre and others and Rimsky-Korsakov's explosive score, Scheherazade.
Read more ...Messiah: London Christmas performances of Handel's oratorio
It wouldn't be Christmas without Handel's great oratorio Messiah, a masterwork of story-telling in moving aria and grand choruses. Choose from 10 outstanding performances in churches and concert halls across the capital.
Read more ...Classical Season 2019/20, Southbank Centre
Music across the centuries will ring out at Southbank Centre in its new classical season from September 2019 to July 2020, with top international artists, favourite London musicians, including Chineke! Orchestra (pictured) and works old and new
Read more ...Best Russian music: London concerts that dazzle
For drama, passion and big orchestral sounds there is no beating Russian composers, conductors and players. Here are the Russian experts to catch in London, among them London Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Vladimir Jurowski (pictured).
Read more ...Barbican Classical Music 2019/20
A wave of visiting world-class orchestras, celebrations for a big Beethoven year, and many exciting new commissions are highlights of the packed classical music season 2019/20 at the Barbican. Big draws include the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel (pictured)
Read more ...Venus Unwrapped, Kings Place
A year-long celebration of music written and, often, performed by women, from the Italian renaissance to the present day, with scores of events ahead.
Read more ...Opera Holland Park 2019: classics and rarities
It was a bumper year for London's own country house opera, with Tchaikovsky and Verdi particularly well sung. The capital's opera-lovers booked for each of the four new productions, and were thrilled by each in different ways
Read more ...BBC Proms 2019: the top artists and works
World-class orchestras and soloists played night after night at the Royal Albert Hall where the Promenaders came face to face with their favourite artists.
Read more ...Death in Venice, Royal Opera House review ★★★★★
Outstanding production of Benjamin Britten's opera, with Mark Padmore as an ageing writer falling for a beautiful young dancer in Venice. Gerald Finley is his sinister guide, with Tim Mead as an interfering god...
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