Articles & Interviews

The master list of news, features and interviews

Renell Shaw honours the Windrush Generation at at Kings Place on 25 June

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RENELL SHAW’S THE WINDRUSH SUITE AND ECHO IN THE BONES

The UK’s finest musicians across jazz, classical and contemporary music assemble for a landmark concert of connection, reflection and celebration, honouring the Windrush Generation at KINGS PLACE, JUNE 25, 7.30PM

Live premiere of The Windrush Suite & Echo in the Bones. A multi-sensory performance of music, storytelling, visuals and recordings of the pioneering voices of the Windrush Generation.

Inspired by Ivor Novello recipient, Platinum-selling composer and songwriter Renell Shaw’s Caribbean roots.

Featuring a roll call of 12 of the finest musicians in the UK blending Jazz, Classical and Contemporary music, led by Shaw. The ensemble includes Orphy Robinson MBE, Cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson and legendary saxophonist Jean Toussaint.

The third and final chapter of this musical trilogy, Remember Us Tomorrow, a new Kings Place commission, premieres October 9, 2026. Full line-up to be announced.

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English National Opera in London and Manchester in 2026-2027

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English National Opera announces 2026-2027 Season

A daring nine-opera season (for more details click here), including six new productions, in London and Greater Manchester, exploring stories of resistance and freedom. 

First UK performance in 15 years of Philip Glass and Robert Wilson’s Einstein on the Beach directed by Phelim McDermott in a major international co production with ENO, Factory International, Park Avenue Armory and Improbable. 

Lars von Trier’s cult classic Breaking the Waves (13-25 February 2027) receives London operatic premiere in a new production by Tinuke Craig.  

New productions of Tosca (30 October – 11 December 2026) and Adriana Mater (28 November – 12 December 2026), directed by Annilese Miskimmon, following her Olivier Award-winning Dead Man Walking.

Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride (6-14 November 2026) enters ENO’s repertoire with a new production by Lyndsey Turner.  

Conductor Néstor Bayona announced as André de Ridder’s first Mackerras Fellow. 

Opera and football unite for Perfect Pitch’s finale the week before World Cup. 

5,000 free tickets are available for Under 21s at the London Coliseum and at partnering venues in Greater Manchester. 

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BBC Proms 2026 – 17 July to 12 September

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BBC Proms 2026 presents 86 concerts over eight weeks: more than 70,000 tickets at £8, every note broadcast on BBC Radio 3 & BBC Sounds, and 24 Proms programmes on BBC TV and iPlayer

Friday 17 July – Saturday 12 September 2026 at London’s Royal Albert Hall and venues across the UK

For full details about the BBC Proms 2026 and how to get tickets CLICK HERE

A season-long celebration of American music marks 250 years since the signing of the US Declaration of Independence, with the Proms debut of The Met Orchestra and the highly anticipated return of the Los Angeles Philharmonic after nearly a quarter of a century. The season features the UK premieres of major new works co-commissioned by the BBC from American composers Wynton Marsalis and Jessie Montgomery, and appearances from conductors and star soloists including Marin Alsop, Angel Blue and Joyce DiDonato.

The Proms welcomes the finest orchestras from around the world, including the debuts of the Spanish National Orchestra and the Mahler Academy Orchestra and the return of the Berlin, Munich and Oslo Philharmonic Orchestras.

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Classical Music at London’s Southbank Centre in 2026-2027

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The Southbank Centre’s Classical Music Autumn/Winter 2026/27 programme bookended by milestone 90th birthday celebrations for icons of minimalism Steve Reich and Philip Glass

The two landmark celebrations frame a programme of world-class orchestral performance, boundary-pushing new work and fresh approaches to the concert hall experience.

The season kicks off with new work by Julia Wolfe featuring 146 voices, conducted by Marin Alsop.

The programme sees Pekka Kuusisto and Jean Rondeau join Manchester Collective as the Southbank Centre’s cohort of Resident Artists for 2026/27.

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Classical music at London’s Barbican in 2026-2027

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The Barbican has unveiled its forthcoming season of classical music, from September 2026 to July 2027

Across the 2026-2027 Barbican season – through curated concert series, composer spotlights, major anniversaries and a continued commitment to championing new music – the Barbican and its resident and associate orchestras and ensembles will present some of the very best that classical music has to offer, welcoming new and returning audiences to the artform.

Highlights from the forthcoming season will include a number of major celebrations, starting with the work of Caroline Shaw as the Barbican showcases her work and artistry in a Composer in Focus series. The 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death is commemorated across two landmark residencies with pianist Lang Lang and conductor Andris Nelsons with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig with all five piano concertos performed across the two three-night runs. The Barbican also marks Steve Reich’s 90th birthday, with multiple performances by percussionist Colin Currie and Barbican Resident Orchestra the London Symphony Orchestra.

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Gregor Tassie in conversation with soprano Eleonora Djodjoska-Mladenova

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Soprano Eleonora Djodjoska-Mladenova talks with Gregor Tassie

Soprano Eleonora Djodjoska-Mladenova as Violetta Valéry in La traviata © Svetoslav Nikolov

One highlight of the 2025 Wagner Festival in Sofia was the debut of young soprano Eleonora Djodjoska-Mladenova, who delivered a sensational Elisabeth in Plamen Kartaloff’s new Tannhäuser (review here). From first stepping on the stage, she seemed born for this role of an innocent girl falling in love. The singer from Northern Macedonia was acclaimed as an outstanding new star of the Sofia Opera. In 2026, reflecting Kartaloff’s trust, she was cast as the tragedienne Violetta Valéry — a role she triumphed in. Shortly after her La traviata debut (review here), I met with her to discuss her career to date.

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Royal Opera and Ballet at Covent Garden in 2026-2027

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Royal Ballet and Opera 2026/27 Season

10 new opera productions: Parsifal, Un ballo in maschera, Götterdämmerung, Good Sometimes Queen, Così fan tutte, Les Boréades, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle with The Rite of Spring in concert, UR_, La Gioconda and Hercules

A Season of ballet masterworks: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Ashton’s Symphonic Variations and Daphnis and Chloë, and MacMillan’s Manon and Song of the Earth

Wayne McGregor at 20: The Royal Ballet revives Chroma and MADDADDAM to mark his two decades as Resident Choreographer

50 years of Schools’ Matinees: expanding access, opportunity and creative futures

A global season on screen: nine productions broadcast in 1,500 cinemas

Tickets from £7, on sale from 24 June 2026
More information and how to book tickets will be available HERE

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