Best Concerts and Opera in October
The arrival of autumn in music, two 50th anniversary concerts, and an exciting debut
The arrival of autumn in music, two 50th anniversary concerts, and an exciting debut
Its premiere was not in fashionable Paris or Milan, but Cairo. It sometimes comes with live elephants. Its great choruses feel like the epitome of grand opera. No wonder Verdi's Aïda conjures up spectacle and glamour. But at the heart of this famous opera is a battle between love and duty. Angel Blue (pictured) is among artists singing the title role as the Ethiopian princess in love with her captor,
Read more ...From its terrifying opening chords to its shock ending, Puccini's opera is a thrilling drama in music. And a new production for English National Opera is bursting with promise. Director Christof Loy's production has already been acclaimed in Helsinki, and finally reaches London, with a strong cast, opening ENO's 2022/23 season.
Read more ...As summer gives way to autumn, music specialists the Academy of Ancient Music mark the step with a performance of Haydn's buoyant oratorio, marking the turning of the years. The rapturous music is enhanced by digital projections from Nina Dunn's Studio. Soloists include soprano Sophie Bevan (pictured), and the conductor is Laurence Cummings.
Read more ...The seventh annual London Piano Festival continues to explore the instrument's endless possibilities, with four concerts and a lecture recital inspired by the virtuosic Franz Liszt. To open, a delectable programme of music by JS Bach, the daring 17th-century French composer Rameau, and the the visionary modernist Olivier Messiaen played by Tamara Stefanovich (6 Oct). Also on offer, Imogen Cooper playing Schubert (7 Oct) and festival co-founder Katya Apekisheva playing Debussy and Shostakovich with Noriko Ogawa (pictured, 8 Oct). Enthralling.
Read more ...Born in Germany, trained in Italy, a British citizen and at home in London, George Frideric Handel bestrode the world of music and captivated his adopted city. Tenor James Way and his consort The Assembled Company, with soprano Rowan Pierce and violinist Rachel Podger, retrace some of the great music that took European audiences by storm. Among the items, two Italian cantatas with music that reappeared in his much-loved Messiah.
Read more ...The gifted young pianist is already an impressive ambassador for music composed by women, including Clara Schumann. Here, in a programme of music inspired by childhood, she makes her Barbican debut with works by Fanny Mendelssohn and Eleanor Alberga, as well as Mozart, Robert Schumann and Claude Debussy.
Read more ...Richard Jones's production of Puccini's Paris-based opera entertains with its Quality Street colours and comically awkward attic, the chilly home of impoverished artists. Romance blossoms in the cold and dark, but falters until it is too late to make amends. Choose from several casts over 17 performances, and artists including tenors Freddie De Tommaso, Juan Diego Flórez and soprano Danielle de Niese (pictured).
Read more ...A really moving and important new commission by Charlotte Bray accompanies an exhibition of work by Caroline Burraway honouring those who risk their lives to reach a safer country. The artist has made 13 child's dresses from discarded lifejackets (pictured), and the Castalian String Quartet gives the world premiere of Bray's Ungrievable Lives, in 13 movements – one for every million displaced children. Also on the programme, music by Britten and Sibelius.
Read more ...One of London's most versatile choirs, the ECC is as likely to be heard singing film scores for screenings with live music at the Royal Albert Hall or backing Rick Wakeman as interpreting sacred music from past centuries. To celebrate its first 50 years, under conductor Guy Protheroe, the choir, with the English Players, sings two favourite mainstays of the choral repertoire: Bach's exuberant Magnificat and Handel's joyful Dixit Dominus. Soloists include soprano Julia Doyle and bass Philip Tebb.
Read more ...The playing and outlook of the Brodsky Quartet (pictured) is so youthful it is hard to believe that this highly entertaining ensemble is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Over a single weekend, the four musicians play all 15 of Shostakovich's colourful string quartets. Catch them all, or opt for the drama of, say, Quartet No 8 (Sat 29 Oct, 7PM).
Read more ...See exciting new Norwegian conductor Tabita Berglund (pictured) make her London debut with three mighty pieces. After Prokofiev's jaunty Classical Symphony No1 the orchestra is joined by soloist Truls Mørk, Berglund's teacher, for the same composer's Sinfonia Concertante in E minor for Cello and Orchestra. Before the Symphony No 7 by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, the surging Prelude and Liebestod from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde. Berglund is described as 'one of Europe’s greatest promises'. An afternoon concert to introduce daughters to the idea of conducting, maybe....
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