BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus 2025-26 Barbican Season Events
Fri 16 Jan 2026
- 19:30Barbican, London
Clemens Schuldt and the BBC Symphony Orchestra perform Shakespearean classics, Strauss at his most sumptuous, and a new British concerto for cellist Guy Johnston.
Clemens Schuldt and the BBC Symphony Orchestra perform Shakespearean classics, Strauss at his most sumptuous, and a new British concerto for cellist Guy Johnston.
Programme
- Fantasy-Overture 'Hamlet'
- Cello ConcertoBBC co-commission: world premiere
- interval
- Ophelie
- Der Rosenkavalier – suite
Performers
- Clemens Schuldtconductor
- Guy Johnstoncello
Fri 23 Jan 2026
- 19:30Barbican, London
US composer Julia Wolfe’s new work unEarth receives its UK premiere, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Finchley Children's Music Group, and Danish soprano Else Torp, conducted by Martyn Brabbins.
US composer Julia Wolfe’s new work unEarth receives its UK premiere, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, Finchley Children's Music Group, and Danish soprano Else Torp, conducted by Martyn Brabbins.
Programme
- Appalachian Spring
- unEarth
Performers
- Martyn Brabbinsconductor
- Else Torpsoprano
- BBC Singersensemble
- Finchley Children’s Music Groupensemble
Composers
Also part ofBBC Singers 2025-26
Fri 30 Jan 2026
- 19:30Barbican, London
Music that glitters, sings and dances for joy, as Sakari Oramo pairs two newly minted classics with Beethoven’s brightest symphony.
Music that glitters, sings and dances for joy, as Sakari Oramo pairs two newly minted classics with Beethoven’s brightest symphony.
Programme
- ICE
- Harp Concerto
- interval
- Symphony No. 4 in B flat major
Performers
- Sakari Oramoconductor
- Elizabeth Bassharp
Fri 6 Feb 2026
- 19:30Barbican, London
Love, death and pomegranates: Sakari Oramo rediscovers Stravinsky’s epic retelling of the myth of Persephone.
Love, death and pomegranates: Sakari Oramo rediscovers Stravinsky’s epic retelling of the myth of Persephone.
Programme
- Violin Concerto No. 1
- interval
- Perséphone
Performers
- Sakari Oramoconductor
- Lisa Batiashviliviolin
- Amira Casarnarrator
- Peter Tantsitstenor
- BBC Symphony Choruschoir
- Schola Cantorum of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial Schoolchildren's choir
Composers
Fri 13 Feb 2026
- 19:30Barbican, London
Rachmaninov, Bernstein and Davóne Tines – a fresh perspective on America’s past, present and future from Daniele Rustioni and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Rachmaninov, Bernstein and Davóne Tines – a fresh perspective on America’s past, present and future from Daniele Rustioni and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Programme
- Symphonic Dances from ‘West Side Story’
- ANTHEMcollaboratively arranged by Michael Schachter, Caroline Shaw, Davóne Tines and Tyshawn Sorey, including text by Mahogany L. Browne
- interval
- Symphony No. 3 in A minor
Performers
- Daniele Rustioniconductor
- Davóne Tinesbass-baritone
Fri 19 Dec 2025
- 19:30Barbican, London
Sir James MacMillan conducts a starry performance of his huge, life-affirming Christmas Oratorio – music that speaks to listeners of all faiths and none.
Sir James MacMillan conducts a starry performance of his huge, life-affirming Christmas Oratorio – music that speaks to listeners of all faiths and none.
Programme
- Christmas Oratorio
Performers
- Sir James MacMillanconductor
- Rhian Loissoprano
- Roderick Williamsbaritone
Composers
Sun 14 Dec 2025
- 19:00Barbican, London
A festive treat with a ghostly difference: a night of classic stories and haunting melodies from the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
A festive treat with a ghostly difference: a night of classic stories and haunting melodies from the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Programme
- Danse macabre
- Marley's Ghost...
- The Four Seasons – Winter
- Twilight Zonearr. Stu Philips
- interval
- Music for Strings, Percussion and CelestaIII. Adagio
- Spiritual No. 2
- Marche funèbre d'une marionette
- Theme Song from 'Ghostbusters'
Performers
- Karen Ní Bhroinconductor
- Alex Jenningshost and reader
- Sarah Nilesreader
- Jonathan Andrew Humevocals
Fri 5 Dec 2025
- 19:30Barbican, London
Ermonela Jaho stars in Puccini’s bittersweet romance, his opera La rondine, incorporating music that has not been heard this century.
Ermonela Jaho stars in Puccini’s bittersweet romance, his opera La rondine, incorporating music that has not been heard this century.
Programme
- La rondine
Performers
- Carlo Rizziconductor
- Ermonela JahoMagda de Civry
- Iván Ayón-RivasRuggero Lastouc
- Nicola AlaimoRambaldo Fernandez
- Ellie NeateLisette
- Juan Francisco GatellPrunier
- Jessica RobinsonYvette / Georgette / Fleury
- Julieth Lozano RolongBianca / Gabriella / Mariette
- Joanna HarriesSuzy / Lolette / Rorò
- Robert LewisGobin
- David ShipleyPérichaud
- William ThomasCrébillon / Il maggiordomo
Composers
Also part ofBBC Singers 2025-26
Fri 7 Nov 2025
- 19:30Barbican, London
Sakari Oramo conducts Sibelius’s Lemminkaïnen Legends – a stirring counterpart to the brilliance of Thomas Adès’s Violin Concerto, played by Christian Tetzlaff.
Sakari Oramo conducts Sibelius’s Lemminkaïnen Legends – a stirring counterpart to the brilliance of Thomas Adès’s Violin Concerto, played by Christian Tetzlaff.
Programme
- Symphonic Variations on an African Air
- Violin Concerto 'Concentric Paths'
- interval
- Lemminkäinen Suite, Op 22
Performers
- Sakari Oramoconductor
- Christian Tetzlaffviolin
Fri 31 Oct 2025
- 19:30Barbican, London
Dark fire and glittering ice: Mozart’s Requiem crowns an evening of deep emotions and natural wonders from Sakari Oramo and pianist Martin Helmchen.
Dark fire and glittering ice: Mozart’s Requiem crowns an evening of deep emotions and natural wonders from Sakari Oramo and pianist Martin Helmchen.
Programme
- Inlandsis
- Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor
- interval
- Requiem in D minor (compl. Süssmayr-Dutron)
Performers
- Sakari Oramoconductor
- Martin Helmchenpiano
- Francesca Chiejinasoprano
- Claire Barnett-Jonesmezzo-soprano
- Caspar Singhtenor
- Frazer Scottbass
Composers









