Best Concerts and Opera in October

By Claudia Pritchard on 17/11/2021

A comic opera to raise the spirits, uplifting music for solo piano and songs from a superstar are among this month's must-see events

Amadigi, English Touring Opera

One of the delightful mysteries in musical history is the profound insight that George Frideric Handel, living a solitary life at his London townhouse in Brook Street, had into complex or tested relationships. In Amadigi, three young people are imprisoned by a sorceress, but love wins through. Starring Francesca Chiejina (pictured, 1 Oct) and Jenny Stafford (2 Oct) as Melissa and William Towers in the title role.

WHEN

Fr 1 Oct and Sat 2 Oct, 7:30PM

WHERE

Hackney Empire, 91 Mare St, London E8 1EJ

Venus and Adonis, Blackheath Halls Opera

Professional singers are joined by musicians drawn from the community for John Blow's opera – arguably the first English opera – in a sparky production from the company behind a hilarious Offenbach La Belle Hélène (pictured) in 2019. When Venus is struck by an arrow fired by her own son Cupid, she falls in love with the hunter Adonis, but fears for his life...

WHEN

Sat 2 Oct and Sun 3 Oct, 2:30PM and 5PM

WHERE

Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath SE3 9RQ

Santtu conducts Stravinsky, Royal Festival Hall

The Philharmonia Orchestra under their new principal conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali are joined by soloist Pekka Kuusisto (pictured) for the UK premiere of Bryce Dessner's Violin Concerto before a performance of Stravinsky's savage and mould-breaking ballet score The Rite of Spring.

WHEN

Sun 3 Oct, 7:30PM

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX

The Magic Flute, Royal Opera House

Mozart's comic opera as staged by David McVicar, with wonderful effects, buoyant music and an awe-inspiring design. Listen out for Mozart's version of the Supremes: Alexandra Lowe, Hanna Hipp and Stephanie Wake-Edwards (pictured) as the Three Ladies, giving a young suitor several helping hands.

WHEN

Mon 4 and Thurs 7 Oct, 7:30PM

WHERE

Royal Opera House
Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD

Goldberg Variations, Charles Owen and Marcus du Sautoy

The ever-entrancing variations by Bach on a simple air are approached from two angles in this entertaining lecture recital. Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy (pictured left) considers the structure of the piece while pianist Charles Owen (right) illustrates his analysis. A compelling combination

WHEN

Sun 10 Oct, 11AM

WHERE

Kings Place, 90 York Way N1 9AG

Glyndebourne Touring Opera, East Sussex

You can enjoy the fine singing and phenomenal production values of this world-class country opera house even when summer is over. Beethoven's moving Fidelio, Donizetti's comic Don Pasquale (pictured) and Stravinsky's The Rake's Progess, with sets by David Hockney, are all staged, with early starts on Sundays for easy journeys.

WHEN

Fri 8 Oct to Sat 30 Oct, start times vary

WHERE

Glyndebourne
Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 5UU

Satyagraha, English National Opera

Philip Glass's expansive musical overview of the life, philosophy and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, in Phelim McDermott's very beautiful production revived to open ENO's 2021/22 season. With Sean Panikkar as Gandhi, plus Sarah Pring, Ross Ramgobin, James Cleverton and others.

WHEN

Thurs 14 Oct to Thurs 28 Oct, six performances at 7PM, plus 3PM, Sun 17 Oct

WHERE

English National Opera
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

Joyce DiDonato: In My Solitude

The superstar American mezzo-soprano is accustomed to appearing in grand opera in London, but here she devotes an evening to intimate and thoughtful song in a solo recital inspired by the ups and downs of life or time spent alone. Expect flawless singing and an insightful programme.

WHEN

Tues 26 Oct, 7:30PM

WHERE

Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

Stephen Hough plays Chopin and Schumann

The much-loved London-based international concert artist gives a recital on home ground that includes four works by Chopin. But listen out to for the pianist's own Partita, one of his many compositions. The programme also includes Schumann's dramatic Kreisleriana, dedicated to Chopin.

WHEN

Wed 27 Oct, 7:30PM

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX

HMS Pinafore, English National Opera

Gilbert and Sullivan poke fun at privilege and at the under-talented and over-promoted in their timeless comic opera set at sea. Captain Corcoran commands the Pinafore, where a deckhand falls in love with his daughter. He is not worthy of her, by birth. Or is he...? Cal McCrystal returns to his mission to make ENO audiences laugh themselves silly, with help from the hilarious John Savournin (pictured) as Corcoran.

WHEN

Fri 29 Oct to Sat 11 Dec, times vary

WHERE

English National Opera
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES