Is there a dominant culture? A look to the southeast reveals that intercultural exchange sharpens identities and leads to cultural flourishing. The rich cultural landscape stretching from the Mediterranean through the Near East to the Middle East exemplifies this. The concert program explores this theme, using Jewish and Persian voices as examples. For instance, Tehran still boasts a large Jewish community, a fact reflected in Amen Feizabadi's work.

Identity / Dialogue

Stadtcasino Basel

Barbara Hannigan returns to Berwaldhallen to perform the Iranian composer Golfam Khayam’s work I’m not a Tale to be Told together with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. The piece was specifically written for Hannigan, who both sings and conducts. Next follows Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 44, also known as the ‘Trauersinphonie,’ one of the composer’s most famous works. The concert concludes with George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess – Symphonic Picture, based on his opera of the same name from 1935

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Porgy & Bess according to Hannigan 

Berwaldhallen

Barbara Hannigan is a musician and artist who is not afraid to go her own way. The music she performs, both as conductor and singer – and not least when she does both at the same time – cuts across eras and genres. The evening's program begins thoughtfully, but ends with an exuberant cornucopia of musical energy.

Hannigan & Girl Crazy

DR Koncerthuset

Experience an electrifying evening with the London Symphony Orchestra as they present a captivating concert featuring the works of Vivier, Haydn, and Bartók. Join us at the iconic Barbican on Thursday, 20 March 2025, at 7pm for a performance that promises to be both epic and vast. Under the baton and voice of the multi-talented Barbara Hannigan, both conductor and soprano, the evening will explore miracles and myths through music that spans the surreal to the celestial.

The concert will open with Claude Debussy's "Syrinx for Solo Flute," a piece that evokes the desperate escape of the nymph Syrinx from the god Pan, performed by Gareth Davies, LSO Principal Flute. This will be followed by Jean Sibelius' "Luonnotar," a work that delves into the origins of the earth, and Claude Vivier's "Orion," which takes the audience on a journey through the mysteries of outer space. The first half will conclude with Golfam Khayam's "Je ne suis pas une fable à conter," inspired by the rich tapestry of Persian carpets.

After the interval, the orchestra will present Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 39, a piece that combines delicacy with determination, and Béla Bartók's "The Miraculous Mandarin Suite," a thrilling score that defies death itself.

The concert will conclude at approximately 8:45 pm, including a 20-minute interval. Tickets are available in various price ranges, with a booking fee per online or phone transaction. Special discounts are available, including Wildcards for guaranteed entry with seat allocation on the day, multibuy discounts, and special rates for groups, students, and under-18s.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the London Symphony Orchestra and Barbara Hannigan in a performance that bridges the gap between the mythic and the modern. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable night of music at the Barbican.

Vivier, Haydn and Bartók

Barbican Centre

Experience an evening of captivating music with the London Symphony Orchestra's Half Six Fix concert featuring Bartók, taking place at the Barbican on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, at 6:30 pm. This unique 60-minute concert offers an intimate setting where the music is introduced by the performers themselves, enhanced with screens in the hall to bring you closer to the action. The concert will conclude at approximately 7:35 pm.

The evening's program includes the world premiere of Golfam Khayam’s "Je ne suis pas une fable à conter," inspired by the rich tapestry of Persian carpets, alongside Joseph Haydn’s lively Symphony No 39, and Béla Bartók’s thrilling "The Miraculous Mandarin Suite." Under the baton and voice of the supremely versatile Barbara Hannigan, this concert promises an unforgettable journey through music.

Tickets are available at various price points, with a £4 booking fee per online or phone transaction. For those looking to save, Wildcards offer guaranteed entry with seat allocation on the day for £10/£15 plus booking fee. Additionally, a Half Six Fix Season Pass is available for £75, granting a Wildcard for all eight concerts in the season.

Booking your tickets is easy and can be done online at lso.co.uk or barbican.org.uk, by phone, or in person at the Barbican Centre with no booking fee. For any changes, the Box Office accommodates refunds and exchanges with a notice period.

This Half Six Fix concert is not just a performance but an immersive experience that promises to enrich your evening with the joy and depth of classical music. Don't miss this opportunity to see Barbara Hannigan and the London Symphony Orchestra in action.

Half Six Fix: Bartók

From its opening scene of bird song and morning mists to a final chorus of victory sung by an army of horns, Mahler’s First Symphony traces a captivating coming-of-age journey. Mirroring his own life experiences, Mahler’s music evokes scenes of sun-drenched meadows, a surreal funeral procession and triumph over despair and self-doubt.

Golfam Khayam

Events

Upcoming events

2 - 3 Apr, 2027

Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 & Anne-Sophie Mutter · Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Past events

Mar 29, 2026

Identity / Dialogue · Basel Sinfonietta

19 - 20 Nov, 2025

Porgy & Bess according to Hannigan · Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra

About

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