Philip Glass at 80, Barbican Centre

Whatever your opinion on the American minimalist Philip Glass, the influence of his music is undeniable. In January 2017, the plumber-turned-composer turns eighty. To mark the occasion, the Barbican Centre is throwing one of its most extravagant celebrations ever. Over a three-day weekend, it will give its spaces entirely over to a landmark series of performances.
From 27 to 29 Jan, the Royal Ballet will make a rare journey across town perform Les Enfants Terribles (1996), a ‘dance opera’ based on Jean Cocteau’s classic play. Choreographed and directed by Javier de Frutos, it should show the composer’s rhythmic majesty in its full glory. Tickets, whose prices are yet to be announced, will be available in Summer 2016.
On 28 Jan, the BBC Symphony Orchestra will embark on one of their Total Immersion Days. Milton Court will host a series of daytime concerts devoted Glass’ smaller scale works, while in the evening the whole ensemble will take to the hall to play the Prelude to Akhnaten (1982-3), the 'nature portrait' Itapiu (1989) and the UK premiere of the Double Concerto for Two Pianos (2015). Marin Alsop, Proms royalty, will conduct, and pianist sisters Katia and Marielle Labeque will serve as soloists. Tickets will cost between £10 and £34, with passes available for the entire day.
The final event of the weekend, on the evening off 29 Jan, celebrates Glass’ connections with the cinema. In 2013, he scored director Godfrey Reggio’s Visitors, a documentary chronicling the relationship between humans and technology. Screened here for the first time in the UK, it will be accompanied by a live score from the BBCSO. Tickets for this event cost between £15 and £35.

Tickets for the Barbican Centre’s 2016-17 season open to the general public at 10am on 10 Feb.