The Usher Hall transforms into a sanctuary for John Tavener’s magnum opus, The Veil of the Temple. This is only the second time it has ever been performed in the UK.

EIF: Opening Concert: The Veil of The Temple

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

In the summer of 1826 Felix Mendelssohn stumbled upon a German translation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream made by August Wilhelm Schlegel. Spellbound, the 17-year-old composer wrote an orchestral overture for the play and, another 17 years later, augmented it with yet more scene-setting music – the most enchanting and characterful he would write. Gemma New joins the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for Mendelssohn’s musical retelling of Shakespeare’s story (see also Proms 24 & 68) – performed with readings from the play for dramatic context – after equally colourful musical storytelling from forgotten French late-Romantic composer Mel Bonis and the heavenly sounds of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto.

NYCOS Chamber Choir

Aug 2, 2025

EIF: Opening Concert: The Veil of The Temple

Aug 16, 2024

Prom 36: Gemma New conducts Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

NYCOS Chamber Choir