Snippets of folk-like tunes weave together in Holst’s kaleidoscopic Capriccio, and taking an equally central role in Stravinsky’s Symphonies of Wind Instruments are the Russian folk elements and original meaning of ‘symphony’, that of sounding together. Short litanies between the different instruments draw together contrasting episodes at three different but still related speeds.

EPSG:4326

Expressions of Folk

Wales Millennium Centre

Brangwyn Hall

Unrequited love pervades in Bartók’s Violin Concerto. Written for violinist, and Bartók’s muse, Stefi Geyer, this two-movement concerto is a musical showcase of her personality – lamenting melodies and whimsical leaps abound in this deeply personal rhapsodic outpouring. Champion of this virtuosic firework display is world-renowned violinist James Ehnes, who returns to BBC NOW by popular demand.

Notes of Love

Symphony Hall in Birmingham

It’s supposed to be the happiest day of Figaro and Susanna’s lives but will their wedding even go ahead? Count Almaviva is determined to seduce Susanna, but will his wife find out? Will Figaro be able to outwit his master, for the honour of his bride? And where does young Cherubino fit into it all? In this captivating tale of love, loyalty and mistaken identities, the quick-witted barber navigates the twists and turns of 18th century social intricacies with charm and humour, and clever schemes which will keep you guessing until the final note.  

The Marriage of Figaro Mozart

Venue Cymru

Birmingham Hippodrome

Bristol Hippodrome

Milton Keynes Theatre

Theatre Royal Plymouth

Mayflower Theatre

Swansea Grand Theatre

Brought to life by the acclaimed WNO Orchestra, our wonderful presenter Tom Redmond will introduce you to the Orchestra and its many instruments, our talented performers, and of course, the music you’ll be hearing during the afternoon – some of which are our absolute favourites to perform. The relaxed setting of the show will allow you to fully lose yourself in the music and the drama – we’ll have you clapping, singing, and dancing in the aisles.

Play Opera LIVE

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59E40S_EQSY

The Artelize Podcast: A love letter that was never sent

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THv6htilWtI

The Artelize Podcast and Adolfo Corrado: Mediterranean flavors, opera and social media

Art of Andalucia is not just a music concert; it's an homage to the rich tradition of flamenco dance. Daniel Martinez strives to achieve a harmonious balance between music and dance, elevating the latter to a starring role in the show. To realise this vision, the concert will showcase two extraordinary dancers whose artistry and passion are set to ignite the stage, taking the audience on a sensory journey through the heart of Andalucia. Daniel will compose and create original music specifically for each dancer's choreography, which will be uniquely choreographed exclusively for this production and can only be seen on this tour. This meticulous alignment of music and movement ensures a seamless and immersive experience, celebrating the profound connection between flamenco music and dance.

Art of Andalucia - Flamenco Dance

Principal Conductor Ryan Bancroft takes to the podium to conduct the world premiere of Composer in Association, Gavin Higgins' A Monstrous Little Suite from his opera The Monstrous Child, before Håken Hardenberger makes a much anticipated return to BBC NOW for one of the finest concertos of its kind, Weinberg's playful, suspenseful and witty Trumpet Concerto. With shadows of darkness, to a hobbling waltz, this concerto ingeniously quotes music from some of the most popular works in existence, from Bizet's Carmen to Stravinsky's Petrushka, from Mendelssohn's iconic Wedding March to Mahler's fifth.

BBC NOW - Shostakovich 6 with Ryan Bancroft

Craig Revel Horwood is a national treasure. The longest serving judge on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing is the master of the Glitter Ball. After starting as a dancer, he worked on the nation's biggest musicals and became a choreographer, director, and best selling author. Craig's also a remarkable singer and to celebrate the release of his debut solo album, Revelations, he'll reveal his own, hidden talent during a FABULOUS night of big songs, tall tales and glamour.

Craig Revel Horwood

Ben Fogle's theatre show WILD brings to life on stage, stories and tales of hope, possibility, and positivity. From his extraordinary encounters with the human and natural world, the wilderness of Northern Sweden to the jungles of Honduras, the hostile extreme environments of Chernobyl to the mountains of Nepal, Ben will take you on a journey with inspiring and uplifting tales of self discovery, that will leave you enchanted, enlightened, and entertained.

Ben Fogle - Wild

Unlock the door to an undercover world of elegance and iconic dance flavours. From the New York Speakeasy to Havana dance floors, Chicago Blues Scene, Burlesque Cabaret Clubs and the glittering mirror balls of Studio 54.

Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez: Speakeasy

Ex special forces soldier, star of TV's SAS: Who Dares Wins, Inside the Real Narcos and author of The Number One Bestseller Battle Scars, Jason Fox, will bring to the stage and on tour the remarkable story of his daring exploits in a distinguished career as an elite operator in the UK Special Forces (SBS).

Jason Fox - Life At The Limit

Start your musical journey this January with Janáček's immensely popular tragicomedy, The Cunning Little Vixen. With short and pithy symphonic pantomime sections, inventively orchestrated to give each character their own rhythmic motif, this folksy suite is laden with lush harmony and a mood firmly drenched in nature and love.

BBC NOW - Folk Tales & Fabled Love

The ultimate singalong concert celebrating the music of iconic female artists from The Spice Girls to Beyoncé, Madonna and many more!  This is a night of non stop bangers from our epic 8 piece band!

Girl Power Experience

Find your new favourite flavour, at the upcoming Gin & Rum Festival at Brangwyn Hall!

The Gin and Rum Festival

Quasi improvisatory melodies weave with rhythmic accompaniment, reminiscent of folk songs being accompanied by harp, in Grace Williams' Penillion. Meditative lyricism bends to rousingly fiery dances in this enchanting concert opener, conducted by our much-loved Conductor Laureate, Tadaaki Otaka. 

BBC NOW - Fireworks of Passion

Standing as a monument to sacred choral works, Beethoven's Missa Solemnis is a mass setting of immense weight and scale. Lofty grandeur and heavenward serenity dance with angular leaping figures, violent dynamic contrasts weave through the delicately orchestrated massed forces, and a searching quality reflective of his own faith, that of looking beyond our understanding at a numinous God, is never far from the surface. 

BBC NOW - Missa Solemnis

Snippets of folk like tunes weave together in Holst's kaleidoscopic Capriccio, and taking an equally central role in Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments are the Russian folk elements and original meaning of 'symphony', that of sounding together. Short litanies between the different instruments draw together contrasting episodes at three different but still related speeds.

BBC NOW - Expressions of Folk

Paul Young broke into the big time 40 years ago when No Parlez went to number one and spawned iconic hits like Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home). More success followed with the number one album The Secret of Association and the worldwide hit ,Everytime You Go Away, not forgetting an appearance at Live Aid and more. Paul sustained that success, while having fun in his tex mex band, Los Pacaminos. Now, he's looking back during these intimate shows, that combine conversation and acoustic versions of songs. Paul's meeting fans, singing songs, and telling stories about his incredible career. It's time to revel in the classic hits and learn the stories behind them in this intimate show.

An Intimate Evening with Paul Young

He was the boy treble who captivated the world with his angelic voice. Selling over seven million albums, Aled was the original, classical crossover star. His recording of Walking in the Air, from the animated film The Snowman, firmly established him as a household name and he has become an integral part of the nation's festivities.

Aled Jones - Full Circle

There's been a long history of composers writing musical gifts for the women they loved, and tonight's Season Closing Concert features two of the finest.

BBC NOW - Notes of Love

Soaring melody, quirky bravado, and fiendishly tricky virtuosity radiate in Bruch’s passionate Violin Concerto. From soloistic fireworks to its rich orchestral backdrop there is little wonder this concerto remains a favourite with soloists and audiences alike, and to perform we’re delighted to welcome back violin sensation, Eldbjørg Hemsing. Similarly passionate is Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony – striking climaxes give way to soulful solos, forceful marches to thunderous celebration, all based on one musical motif skilfully transformed and developed throughout.

Events in Swansea

Expressions of Folk

BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Notes of Love

BBC National Orchestra of Wales

The Marriage of Figaro Mo...

Welsh National Opera

Play Opera LIVE

Welsh National Opera

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: A l...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

Art of Andalucia - Flamen...

Brangwyn Hall

BBC NOW - Shostakovich 6 ...

Brangwyn Hall

Craig Revel Horwood

Brangwyn Hall

Ben Fogle - Wild

Brangwyn Hall

Karen Hauer & Gorka Marqu...

Brangwyn Hall

Jason Fox - Life At The L...

Brangwyn Hall

BBC NOW - Folk Tales & Fa...

Brangwyn Hall

Girl Power Experience

Brangwyn Hall

The Gin and Rum Festival

Brangwyn Hall

BBC NOW - Fireworks of Pa...

Brangwyn Hall

BBC NOW - Missa Solemnis

Brangwyn Hall

BBC NOW - Expressions of ...

Brangwyn Hall

An Intimate Evening with ...

Brangwyn Hall

Aled Jones - Full Circle

Brangwyn Hall

BBC NOW - Notes of Love

Brangwyn Hall

Fireworks of Passion

BBC National Orchestra of Wales