THE SOUNDS OF SPRING
Start your year right with some of the finest concerts and performances coming up across the UK this Spring time – they are not to be missed!
Reading Arts
On Saturday 9 March, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s residency at The Hexagon in Reading springs back into life with the esteemed Jennifer Pike performing Mozart’s exquisite and intimate Third Violin Concerto. Sibelius’ Karelia Suite opens the concert with hunting fanfares and shimmering violins before the evening concludes with Dvorák’s exhilarating and theatrical Symphony No.8.
0118 960 6060 (box office) www.readingarts.com
English Chamber Orchestra at Cadogan Hall
Jessica Cottis conducts the ECO with tenor Ben Johnson and horn player Ben Goldscheider in Britten’s Serenade (16 March), while Mendelssohn’s dramatic D minor Violin Concerto is a highlight of leader Stephanie Gonley’s concert (16 April). The season concludes with Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto, directed from the keyboard by the captivating Behzod Abduraimov (22 May).
020 7730 4500 (box office) www.englishchamberorchestra.co.uk
Bach’s St John Passion at Durham Cathedral
The outstanding Durham Cathedral Choir joins forces with leading period instrument group The Avison Ensemble to perform Bach’s St John Passion on Palm Sunday, 14 April at 7pm. Conducted by Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers at Durham Cathedral with renowned violinist Pavlo Beznosiuk leading the orchestra. Tickets £8-£28.
0191 338 7178 www.durhamcathedral.co.uk
Messiah on Good Friday
The Royal Choral Society presents its 143rd annual Good Friday afternoon performance of Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a stellar line-up of soloists, conducted by the choir’s Music Director, Richard Cooke. Don’t miss London’s great Easter tradition – performed every year since 1876. Friday 19 April, 2.30pm.
020 7589 8212 (box office) www.royalalberthall.com
Mozart’s Women
In their 70th year, London Mozart Players reunite with conductor Jane Glover to celebrate Mozart’s muses – his wife, mother, sister-in-law and his exceptional soloists. This inspirational programme includes Symphony No. 31 and Piano Concerto No. 9 with 2018 BBC Young Musician Lauren Zhang, plus an array of gorgeous arias performed by soprano Jennifer France. Thursday 11 April, 7.30pm, St Johns Smith Square.
020 7222 1061 (box office) www.sjss.org.uk
Mary, Queen of Scots (Maria Stuarda)
Following a sold-out concert tour to Tudor and Elizabethan National Trust properties in 2018, Operaupclose premiere their fully-staged, new English version of Donizetti’s Mary, Queen of Scots. This riveting opera provides an insight into a compelling period of British history, culminating in a fictitious meeting between the two rival Tudor Queens which sizzles with vocal fireworks.
0203 176 7823 www.operaupclose.com/maria-stuarda