Beethoven 250: London concerts in the big year

By Claudia Pritchard on 31/10/2019

Celebrating 250 years since the composer's birth, concerts, recitals and his only opera are staged by international artists. It's the perfect time to learn more about Beethoven's legacy

Jonas Kaufmann stars at the Royal Opera House in Fidelio

Fidelio, Royal Opera House

Jonas Kaufmann (pictured) sings the role of political Florestan in Beethoven's only opera, in which honour and integrity are put to the test and faithful Leonora comes heroically to the rescue

WHEN

01 Mar 2020 – 17 Mar 2020, six performances, times vary

WHERE

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

The Vienna Concert 1808

One of the most famous concerts in the history of classical music, Beethoven’s epic event re-created by Esa-Pekka Salonen (pictured) and the Philharmonia. Imagine being in the audience for the premieres of the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, and the Fourth Piano Concerto, plus two movements from the Mass in C and the Choral Fantasy! You'll be more comfortable than the first audience, baffled and chilled to the bone...

WHEN

Sun 15 March, 2PM-6.30PM

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX

Beethoven's Complete Symphonies, Barbican

Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique (pictured) in all nine symphonies over six days, culminating with the great Choral Symphony and its profound Ode to Joy, anthem of the European Union.

WHEN

Mon 11 May to Sat 16 May 2020

WHERE

Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

Steven Isserlis is among artists opening Beethoven 250 at Wigmore Hall. Photo: Satoshi Aoyagi

Beethoven 250, Wigmore Hall

Political turmoil, social unrest ... today's audiences recognise the emotions and the world into which Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1770. London's premier chamber music venue has events all year

WHEN

14 Sep 2019 – 31 Dec 2020, events over 15 months, times vary

WHERE

Wigmore Hall
36 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 2BP

Beethoven Weekender, Barbican

All nine Beethoven symphonies are played in one weekend at the Barbican, where there are Beethoven 250 events all year. Catch top orchestras and conductors, including Mirga Gražinyté-Tyla (pictured) with her CBSO. Part of Beethoven 250 at the Barbican

WHEN

Sat 1 and Sun 2 Feb, 2020

WHERE

Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

Choral Symphony, Half Six Fix, Barbican

Early evening performance of Beethoven's great Symphony No 9, with Sir Simon Rattle (pictured), the London Symphony Orchestra and top soloists. Loved for the last movement with its Ode to Joy, anthem of the European Union

WHEN

Wed 12 Feb, 6:30PM

WHERE

Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

Chineke!, Royal Festival Hall

The perfect half-term family concert. Exciting Chineke! orchestra plays Beethoven's splendid Symphony No 7 and is joined by Tai Murray in the gorgeous Violin Concerto No 1 by Max Bruch. Music inspired by Othello, composed by Samuel Taylor-Coleridge, opens the concert. Part of Beethoven 250 at Southbank Centre

WHEN

Sun 23 Feb, 7:30PM

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX