Name: New Year's Day Proms
Start: 2025-01-01T15:00:00
Location: Barbican Centre

London is set to host a series of breathtaking concerts and operas celebrating the legendary Georges Bizet, with highlights including the Westminster School Orchestral Concert, New Year's Day Proms, Sketches of Spain, Bizet’s Carmen Symphony, and the much-anticipated return of 'Carmen' at the Royal Opera House. From the iconic Carmen Suites to the fiery passion of operatic performances, these events promise an unforgettable musical journey.

Celebrating Bizet: A Year of Spectacular Performances in London

London is the place to be for Edward Elgar enthusiasts this season! From the serene choral works of The Sixteen at Royal Albert Hall to the grandeur of the Last Night of the Proms, there's something for every classical music lover. Don't miss the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Antonio Pappano, the youthful energy of the London Schools Symphony Orchestra, or the intimate chamber music of the Nash Ensemble. Cap off the year with the New Year's Day Proms and explore the enigma of Elgar's Variations at Cadogan Hall and Southbank Centre.

Celebrate Edward Elgar: Must-See Musical Events in London

Join us in London for a series of captivating musical events featuring the works of Gustav Holst. From the London Symphony Orchestra’s cosmic journey through The Planets to enchanting Christmas carols at Wigmore Hall, this season promises unforgettable experiences. Highlights include Sir Antonio Pappano's debut with the LSO, Elgar’s Violin Concerto performed by Vilde Frang, and festive celebrations with Tenebrae and the Southbank Sinfonia. Don't miss out on these exceptional performances at iconic venues like the Barbican Centre, Smith Square Hall, and more.

Musical Masterpieces in London: Celebrating Gustav Holst and More

London is about to be swept off its feet by the musical genius of Giuseppe Verdi! From the Royal Opera House's stirring 'La traviata' and 'Aida' to the English National Opera's gripping 'Rigoletto' at the London Coliseum, Verdi's masterpieces will dominate the city's cultural scene. Don't miss Mark Bebbington's piano recital at Wigmore Hall, the celebratory New Year's Day Proms at the Barbican Centre, and the epic 'Il trovatore.' Plus, Opera North brings the riveting 'Simon Boccanegra' to venues across Bradford, Gateshead, Hull, Liverpool, London, and Nottingham. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Celebrate Giuseppe Verdi: Unmissable Performances Across London and Beyond

London's opera scene is set to dazzle audiences with a series of captivating performances of Giacomo Puccini's timeless works. From the gripping drama of 'Tosca' at the Royal Opera House to the emotional depth of 'La bohème' at the London Coliseum, and the melodic beauty of 'La rondine' at the Barbican Centre, there's something for everyone. Join us as we explore these iconic productions and the rich musical heritage of Puccini.

Experience Giacomo Puccini's Masterpieces in London: An Operatic Journey

Anthony Inglis

Barbican Centre

One-of-a-kind performances curated and developed by early-career composers as part of LSO Jerwood Composer+.

Jerwood Composer+ Showcase

LSO St Luke's

“Goddess of a thousand names, let us celebrate your mysteries…” The story of Persephone is as ancient as western culture: an ever-fresh parable of motherly love, untamed lust and the eternal cycle of nature. In 1934, Igor Stravinsky rose to its challenge: and the original result was part ballet, part opera, but all Stravinsky.

Oramo conducts Stravinsky and Lindberg

Bartók’s Dance Suite weaves together folk-inspired melodies and restless rhythms, creating a vibrant, kaleidoscopic celebration of dance that bridges cultures with electrifying energy Here’s a rare chance to hear a major world premiere by one of modern music’s great conjuror of musical worlds, Colin Matthews. We also hear Rachmaninoff’s last major orchestral work, a suite of dances that sounds both entirely modern, but which still bears all the hallmarks of this supremely melodic composer.

London Symphony Orchestra/Elim Chan

Inspired by a number of Tchaikovsky’s piano works and songs, The Fairy’s Kiss is Stravinsky’s ‘compatriot homage’ to his fellow countryman. The music is charming, romantic, and quotes frequently from the elder composer’s music.

London Symphony Orchestra/Gianandrea Noseda

In lovers’ hearts, ice and fire mingle… and when Claudio Monteverdi published his Madrigals of Love and War he opened the floodgates to a new world of European art: magical tales of bold warriors and lovestruck nymphs, told in music that explored uncharted realms of tenderness, fantasy and drama. With Monteverdi, all bets are off.

Songs of Love & War

Milton Court Concert Hall

What is the true voice of America? For Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story was a plea for tolerance in a violent world, expressed through electrifying dance rhythms. For Sergei Rachmaninoff, the USA was a land of new possibilities and sorrowful exile – emotions that pulse and soar throughout his glorious, glittering Third Symphony.

Rustioni conducts Bernstein and Rachmaninoff

Celebrating the synergy between late composer Jóhannsson and visionary director Denis Villeneuve, expect to be moved by the powerful compositions that heighten the cinematic tension, emotion, and narrative depth of Villeneuve's films, honoring Jóhannsson’s legacy and the transformative power of music in film.

Jóhann Jóhannsson: Cinematic Suites

The programme starts from highly complex works through more sparse, but not less quizzical music, and ends with Bach's Fugues.

Tamara Stefanovich in Recital

Ikeda came to international renown with his kaleidoscopic sound sculptures, in which electronics and new technologies play key roles. With mathematical precision, he artfully orchestrates sound, images and physical phenomena into performances and installations. With these experiences as a starting point, Ikeda has now accepted the challenge of transferring his working methods to purely acoustic compositions which he is writing especially for Ensemble Modern.

Ryoji Ikeda: music for strings

Praised for their 'immaculate precision and spirit' (The Strad) and 'cultured tone' (Arts Desk), the Solem Quartet has established itself as one of the most innovative quartets of its generation. A 2020 awardee of the Jerwood Arts Live Work Fund, the Solem Quartet takes its place amongst the UK’s brightest artistic voices.

Ryoji Ikeda: op. 2 + 3

St Giles Cripplegate

Commencing with music for percussion 1, commissioned by Eklekto Ensemble Geneva in 2016. Body Music features the hands and the legs of two percussionists engaging a virtuosic counterpoint of "body claps". Metal Music I is a duet and uses of one of the most iconic orchestral percussion instruments, the triangle. Metal Music II brings onstage two sets of crotales - small bronze discs played with violin bows to create a polyphony of sinus-like high frequencies. Metal Music III, a piece featuring 4 percussionists evolving in a landscape-like installation of 12 suspended cymbals, closes the first part. The second part presents pieces for three performers, from music for percussion 2 that use nonmusical objects.

Ryoji Ikeda: music for percussion 1 & 2

Each ticket entitles you to one complimentary drink. Have your ticket scanned at any of Barbican’s bars on Level G or Level -1 for one single 175ml measure of house wine, 330ml bottle of standard beer, or standard soft drink, subject to our bars' stocks. Valid only on Wed 1 Jan 2025.

New Year's Day Proms

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