London Symphony Orchestra 2023/24 season launch
Barbara Hannigan conducts the four opening concerts – and sings in two
Barbara Hannigan conducts concerts that open the LSO season. Photo: Mark Allan
It takes more than the departure of music director Sir Simon Rattle to stop the London Symphony Orchestra in its tracks. While his six years in charge were thrilling and innovative, with his move to Munich the orchestra hardly breaks step, as the exciting conductor and singer Barbara Hannigan launches its new season.
Hannigan conducts four concerts with the accent on Stravinsky and modern composers, while weaving Haydn into the rich mix. If you have never seen Hannigan in action, September, with four concerts conducted by her on offer, is the time to catch this exceptional talent.
Her mini-residency begins with a programme given on Thurs 14 and Sun 17 Sept (both 7PM), the LSO 2023/24 launch concerts. Hungarian composer György Ligeti's 1969 string work Ramifications opens the concerts, which also features Haydn's Symphony No 26, and concludes with Richard Strauss's transcendent tone poem Death and Transfiguration. Mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron is the soloist in Canadian composer Claude Vivier's poetic 1981 Wo bist du Licht? Hannigan herself is the soprano soloist in Luigi Nono’s Djamila Boupacha.
Mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron joins the LSO in its opening concerts of the season. Photo: Victoria Cadisch
Fleur Barron is joined by fellow soloists tenor Charles Sy and bass-baritone Antoin Herrera-López Kessel in the delectable Half Six Fix on Wed 20 Sept (6:30PM). This one-hour concert, again conducted by Hannigan, showcases Stravinsky's quirky ballet suite Pulcinella. The first performance featured sets by Picasso. Expect stylish conducting from Hannigan at this pre-dinner musical feast.
Pulcinella is performed again on Thurs 21 Sept (7PM) when Barron and Sy are joined by bass-baritone Sam Carl. Also on that full-length programme, again conducted by Hannigan, are Haydn's Symphony No 64 and Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements.
While Sir Antonio Pappano is waiting in the wings to take up Rattle's baton at the LSO, the indefatigable Barbara Hannigan keeps the show on the road. Brava!!
Hannigan conducts four concerts with the accent on Stravinsky and modern composers, while weaving Haydn into the rich mix. If you have never seen Hannigan in action, September, with four concerts conducted by her on offer, is the time to catch this exceptional talent.
Her mini-residency begins with a programme given on Thurs 14 and Sun 17 Sept (both 7PM), the LSO 2023/24 launch concerts. Hungarian composer György Ligeti's 1969 string work Ramifications opens the concerts, which also features Haydn's Symphony No 26, and concludes with Richard Strauss's transcendent tone poem Death and Transfiguration. Mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron is the soloist in Canadian composer Claude Vivier's poetic 1981 Wo bist du Licht? Hannigan herself is the soprano soloist in Luigi Nono’s Djamila Boupacha.
Mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron joins the LSO in its opening concerts of the season. Photo: Victoria Cadisch
Fleur Barron is joined by fellow soloists tenor Charles Sy and bass-baritone Antoin Herrera-López Kessel in the delectable Half Six Fix on Wed 20 Sept (6:30PM). This one-hour concert, again conducted by Hannigan, showcases Stravinsky's quirky ballet suite Pulcinella. The first performance featured sets by Picasso. Expect stylish conducting from Hannigan at this pre-dinner musical feast.
Pulcinella is performed again on Thurs 21 Sept (7PM) when Barron and Sy are joined by bass-baritone Sam Carl. Also on that full-length programme, again conducted by Hannigan, are Haydn's Symphony No 64 and Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements.
While Sir Antonio Pappano is waiting in the wings to take up Rattle's baton at the LSO, the indefatigable Barbara Hannigan keeps the show on the road. Brava!!
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| What | London Symphony Orchestra 2023/24 season launch |
| Where | Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Barbican (underground) |
| When |
14 Sep 23 – 21 Sep 23, Four performances, start times vary |
| Price | £15-£70 |
| Website | Click here for details and booking |