London

Britten’s harrowing, yet uplifting, War Requiem at the Proms will linger long in the memory

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 37 – Britten’s War Requiem, Op.66: Natalya Romaniw (soprano0, Allan Clayton (tenor), Will Liverman (baritone), Tiffin Boys’ Choir, BBC Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 17.8.2024. (KMcD)

Sir Antonio Pappano at the BBC Proms © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

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Zou Ye’s new symphony proves a major achievement in its London European premiere

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Zou Ye, Symphony Kūkai (2023): Charles Mutter (leader/solo violin), Rebecca Hepplewhite (solo cello), The Choir of Central Conservatory of Music, London Chinese Philharmonic Choir, Scherzo Ensemble, Orpheus Sinfonia / Derrick Morgan (conductor). Central Hall Westminster, London, 17.8.2024. (CC)

Derrick Morgan conducts Zou Ye’s Symphony Kūkai © Tianguzhiyin Culture Media Co. Ltd.

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Francisco Coll’s new Cello Concerto has its UK premiere at a storytelling BBC SO Prom

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 38 – Dukas, Coll, Puccini, Stravinsky: Sol Gabetta (violoncello), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Tianyi Lu (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 18.8.2024. (AK)

Tianyi Lu conducts the BBC SO at the BBC Proms © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

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For this Oramo/BBC SO Prom, it is only the Saariaho and Mozart that bring a smile

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 27 – Saariaho, Mozart, R. Strauss: Silja Aalto (soprano), Anssi Karttunen (cello), Seong-Jin Cho (piano), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor), Chris Hopkins (offstage conductor, Alpine Symphony). Royal Albert Hall, London, 9.8.2024. (CC)

Pianist Seong-Jin Cho performs Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.9 in E-flat major ‘Jeunehomme’ © BBC/Mark Allan

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What a delight it was to see and hear the talented young NYO musicians in stormy Wagner and epic Mahler

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 30 – Wagner, Mazzoli, Howard, Mahler: Musicians from NYO Inspire, The National Youth Orchestra / Alexandre Bloch (conductor), Tess Jackson (conductor, Howard). Recorded (directed by Rhodri Huw) at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 10.8.2024 and available for a limited time on BBC iPlayer. (JPr)

Alexandre Bloch conducts the National Youth Orchestra © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

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Glorious Proms Fairy Queen delivered by excellent musicians and singers, and astonishing break dancers

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 24 – Purcell, The Fairy Queen: Le Jardin des Voix, Compagnie Käfig, Les Arts Florissants / Paul Agnew (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 6.8.2024. (AK)

Purcell’s The Fairy Queen at the Proms © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

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Abundant Entertainment: G&S’s The Yeoman of the Guard from Charles Court Opera and Opera Holland Park

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Gilbert and Sullivan: The Yeoman of the Guard: Soloists, Chorus of Opera Holland Park, City of London Sinfonia / David Eaton (conductor). Opera Holland Park, London. 7.8.2024. (JR)

Amy J Payne as Dame Carruthers in The Yeomen of the Guard at Opera Holland Park © Ellie Kurttz

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