UK Concerts

All concert reviews from the UK.

Peter Whelan has the handle on Alexander’s Feast at the BBC Proms

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [25] – Handel: Hillary Cronin (soprano), Stuart Jackson (tenor), Hillary Cronin (soprano), Irish Baroque Chorus, Irish Baroque Orchestra / Peter Whelan (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 30.8.2025. (AV-E)

[l-r] Stuart Jackson (tenor), Hillary Cronin (soprano), Hillary Cronin (soprano) and Peter Whelan (conductor) © Chris Christodoulou/BBC

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Khatia Buniatishvili, Jaime Martin and the Melbourne SO show their professionalism at the Proms

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [24] – Sutherland, Dvořák, Tchaikovsky: Khatia Buniatishvili (piano); Melbourne Symphony Orchestra / Jaime Martín (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 29.8.2025. (CC)

Jaime Martin conducts the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

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Porgy and Bess Reimagined: outstanding Gershwin at the Cumbria Opera Festival

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 [3] – Gershwin, Porgy and Bess Reimagined: Venetia Iga (alto), Michael Muoneke (tenor), Kezia Abouma (piano), Nathan Dawkins (double bass), Noah Ojumu (drums), Joe Davies, Alistair Burton (arrangers). Kendal Town Hall, 27.8.2025. (CK)

Venetia Iga rehearsing for Porgy and Bess Reimagined © Chris Tribble

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Dancing with The Dude at the Festival Hall: Bolívars set de Falla and Bernstein on fire

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Bernstein and de Falla: Javier Perianes (piano), Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela / Gustavo Dudamel (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 28.8.2025. (AV-E)

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra © Sisi Burn

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Cumbria Opera Festival’s Opera by Candlelight showcases young local talent alongside established classics

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Cumbria Opera Festival 2025 [2] – Various, Opera by Candlelight: Ellen Mawhinney (soprano), Jamie Formoy (tenor), Chris Pulleyn (piano). St John’s Church, Keswick, 26.8.2025. (CK)

Cumbria Opera Festival 2025: Opera by Candlelight © Joe Davies

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Leipzig Gewandhausorchester and Andris Nelsons with superlative Sibelius at the Proms

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom BBC Proms 2025 [22] – Pärt, Dvořák, Sibelius: Isabelle Faust (violin), Gewandhausorchester Leipzig / Andris Nelsons (conductor), Royal Albert Hall, London 26.8.2025. (JR)

Andris Nelsons conducts the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig © Chris Christodoulou/BBC

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Joshua Bell gives the UK premiere of Thomas de Hartmaan’s Violin Concerto in a superbly played Prom

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BBC Proms 2025 [19] – Bach (orch. Respighi)/de Hartmaan/Górecki: Joshua Bell (violin), Francesca Chiejina (soprano), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Dalia Stasevska (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 22.8.2025. (MBr)

Dalia Stasevska conducts violinist Joshua Bell and the BBC SO in de Hartmaan’s Violin Concerto © BBC/Andy Paradise

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