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Classical Music

Best concerts and opera in August

By Claudia Pritchard on 13/7/2022

Tremendous Proms, something to lighten the mood, and a pair of stage rarities

Tiddler and Other Tales, Cadogan Hall

An enchanting hour of musi, puppetry and more for children inspired by the colour tales of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Under the sea, out on the farm and into the jungle, the music journey brings together characters from ever-popular titles including Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze.

WHEN

Fri 29 July to Sun 21 Aug 2022: 49 daytime performances, times vary

WHERE

Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ

Summer at Snape, Aldeburgh

Escape to the coast and to ravishing countryside, and get immersed in world-class music with the month-long Suffolk-based festival, Summer at Snape. Artists include cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason (pictured), guitarist Miloš and pianists Katia & Marielle Labèque. Orchestras include the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle, Academy of Ancient Music, Britten Sinfonia, Chineke! and the newly formed Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson.

WHEN

Sun 31 July to Wed 31 Aug 2022

WHERE

Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Snape Bridge, Snape IP17 1SP

Prom 22: Beethoven's Fifth from Memory, Aurora

For 10 years Aurora Orchestra has been thrilling Proms audiences with performances from memory of classic works. This summer it is Beethoven's Symphony No 5, with its distinctive di-di-di dah opening. But if you think you known this music, wait until the BBC's Tom Service and conductor Nicholas Collon take it apart and put it back together again in this highly entertaining programme. Also played, the Violin Concerto No 1 by rebellious Russian Dmitri Shostakovich, with exciting soloist Patricia Kopatchinskaja (pictured), and to open, the mathematical O-Mega, final composition of Iannis Xenakis, who was born 100 years ago.

WHEN

Tues 2 Aug 2022, 7:30PM-c9.45PM; and on BBC Radio 3 7:30PM

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP

Poulenc Double Bill, Glyndebourne Festival Opera

A remarkable pair of operas make up an evening with a difference at Glyndebourne. In La Voix Humaine by Francis Poulence we listen in on one side of a telephone conversation as a relationship unravels. Soprano Stéphanie d’Oustrac (pictured) sings the sole role. In the second half, the same composer's surreal Les Mamelles de Tirésias, frustrated housewife Thérèse starts a new life as a man, with hilarious results.

WHEN

Sat 6 Aug to Sun 28 Aug 2022, 10 performances. Running time 3hr 20min, including long dinner interval

WHERE

Glyndebourne
Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 5UU

HMS Pinafore, Charles Court Opera, Opera Holland Park

All aboard an evening of wonderful music and high comedy when Charles Court Opera appears in the Opera Holland Park season with a co-production of Gilbert and Sullivan's maritime romp. Making a mockery of the over-promoted and celebrating the Royal Navy, the opera is directed by the very talented John Savournin (pictured) who also plays Captain Corcoran.

WHEN

Tues 9 Aug to Sat 13 Aug 2022,, six performances

WHERE

Opera Holland Park
Stable Yard, Holland Park, London W8 6LU

Prom 35: Klaus Mäkelä and the Oslo Phil

This exciting young conductor (pictured, centre) was quickly snapped up by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra which gives the second of its London 2022 concerts at the Proms. On the programme, Sibelius's tone poem Tapiola and Richard Strauss's heroic journey Ein Heldenleben bookend the fireworks of Liszt's Piano Concerto No 1, with dynamic soloist Yuja Wang.

WHEN

Fri 12 Aug 2022, 7:30PM

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP

Tête à Tête, the Opera Festival

Some of the most original new works and artists are showcased in this highly celebration of the endless possibilities of opera. Works in the month-long festival include Memoirs of an Amnesiac, The Dong with the Luminous Nose, Toadette the Frog Opera, and space comedy Module 471. The Cockpit is base camp, but some performances are further afield. If you think opera is all fans and handkerchiefs, prepared to have your preconceptions blown away.

WHEN

Mon15 Aug to Sun 11 Sept 2022, nightly events, times vary

WHERE

The Cockpit, Gateforth Sreet, Marylebone, London NW8 8EH

Prom 43: Handel's Solomon

An opera in all but name (Handel had to keep the right side of the Bishop of London), this highly dramatic story features big set pieces in music: the building of a temple and a palace for the king's true love, the quarrel over a baby, and the famously musical arrival of the Queen of Sheba. Star soloists include counter-tenor Iesytn Davies as Solomon, Joëlle Harvey as his queen, Benjamin Hulett as Zadok and bass Ashley Riches.

WHEN

Fri 19 Aug 2022, 7PM

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington SW7 2AP and BBC Radio 3

Prom 50: Spem in Alium, The Sixteen

For an ethereal evening of sacred song there is nothing to beat The Sixteen's late night Prom. Music by Górecki, Byrd and others is sung with the mighty 40-part motet Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis and (with extra voices joining the core Sixteen) Sir James MacMillan's companion piece, also in 40 parts, Vidi Aquam. Just listen to the voices of Harry Christophers' ensemble ring round the Royal Albert Hall towards midnight. There's nothing like it.

WHEN

Wed 24 Aug 2022, 10:15PM-11:30PM

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP and BBC Radio 3

Prom 57: Bach's Mass in B Minor

With its compelling story-telling, perceptive characterisation and sublime music for voice and instruments, Bach's B Minor Mass is always a massive draw at the Proms and beyond. On this occasion, John Butt conducts the Orchestra and Choir of the Age of Enlightenment, with soloists including Iestyn Davies and Mary Bevan (pictured). Book early. This will sell out fast.

WHEN

Mon 29 Aug 2022, 7:30PM-9:30PM with no interval

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP and BBC Radio 3

Best concerts and opera in August

Tremendous Proms, something to lighten the mood, and a pair of stage rarities

Tiddler and Other Tales, Cadogan Hall

Summer at Snape, Aldeburgh

Prom 22: Beethoven's Fifth from Memory, Aurora

Poulenc Double Bill, Glyndebourne Festival Opera

HMS Pinafore, Charles Court Opera, Opera Holland Park

Prom 35: Klaus Mäkelä and the Oslo Phil

Tête à Tête, the Opera Festival

Prom 43: Handel's Solomon

Prom 50: Spem in Alium, The Sixteen

Prom 57: Bach's Mass in B Minor

Royal Albert Hall

BBC Proms

Iestyn Davies

Mary Bevan

Glyndebourne Festival Opera

BBC Proms 2022: the 10 best concerts

Royal Opera 2022/23: the operas and artists

English National Opera 2022/23: the operas and artists

Voices Unwrapped, Kings Place

Joyce DiDonato: Carmen in Concert, Royal Albert Hall

Candide, Blackheath Halls Opera