Best Classical and Opera 2020
A bumper year for opera in both city and country houses, concerts marking 250 years of Beethoven's legacy and a chance to catch the biggest names in music today
Best Easter music: London concerts and opera to uplift and inspire
Traditional music for Easter by Bach and Handel is complemented by operas that ask searching questions about the nature of love. Here are our 10 favourite musical events in London this Easter.
Read more ...Jenůfa, Royal Opera House
The first production for nearly 20 years of the tragic Janacek opera in which a young woman is let down by one man and scarred by another. When she bears a child, her outlook is bleak... An all-star cast is conducted by Vladimir Jurowski (pictured).
Read more ...Rusalka, English National Opera
The Little Mermaid story of Hans Christian Andersen is mirrored in the magical opera by Czech composer Anton Dvorak, Rusalka, based on Slavic fairy tales. A water nymph with a captivating voice falls for a mortal, and sacrifices her gift to join him on land.
Read more ...BBC Proms 2020
There's nothing like it anywhere in the world, and it happens here in London. The BBC Proms, the biggest music festival on the planet, is coming into view, one of the first signs of summer.
Read more ...Carmen, English National Opera
Welcome return of fast and furious production at the Coliseum of Bizet's opera about jealousy, set in Seville. With Justina Gringytė (pictured, centre) in the title role, a strong company and a string of wonderful songs.
Read more ...Beethoven 250: London concerts in the big year
The 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven inspires a full year of concerts that show the lasting impact on music of this innovative genius, from solo work to mighty orchestral spectaculars
Read more ...Fidelio, Royal Opera House
Jonas Kaufmann returns to the Royal Opera House as the hero of Beethoven's only opera, a powerful and politically charged story of principle and love.
Read more ...Nature Unwrapped, Kings Place
Birdsong, the seasons and the conversation between science and music are among the inspirations for a year-long programme of musical and other events celebrating the natural world and our place in it. From the savage Rite of Spring to concerts for children by Aurora (pictured), there's something for everyone.
Read more ...90 York Way, London, N1 9AG
Best Russian music: London concerts and operas that dazzle
The favourite composers, artists and conductors heralding from Russia form a rich seam in London's musical life. Catch one of the big symphonies of Tchaikovsky, or spot a rising young talent destined for the top.
Read more ...Verdi's Luisa Miller, English National Opera
Packed with exhilarating music but rarely performed, Verdi's opera is given a welcome new production with a cast that includes Elizabeth Llewellyn (pictured) in the title role. Luisa and Rodolfo's love across the class divide is thwarted by a father's political ambitions.
Read more ...London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES
London Handel Festival
A five-week celebration of London composer George Frideric Handel opens with his opera Susanna at the Royal Opera House, and continues with concerts at his own church, St George's, Hanover Square, and an influential competition. This year's theme is Handel and the Hanoverians. Don't forget to visit his house in Brook Street too.
Read more ...Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD and venues throughout London
Jonas Kaufmann, My Vienna
Filmed live at the Wiener Konzerthaus, the opera star stages a Viennese musical spectacular. The much-loved baritone is joined by the Prague Philharmonia orchestra and soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen, and also leads a tour of favourite and beautiful Viennese sites. For one night only!
Read more ...Jenufa, Royal Opera House
Covent Garden's highly acclaimed run of productions of Janacek's searing operas is joined by the shattering story of a young woman who must hide her pregnancy with tragic results. With Asmik Grigorian as Jenůfa and Karita Mattila as her cruel mother-in-law. Vladimir Jurowski (pictured) conducts. Booking opens 29 Jan.
Read more ...Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD
Dvorak's Rusalka, English National Opera
A water creature falls for a prince on land and sacrifices her greatest gift for love – her voice. A new production of Dvorak's 'little mermaid' opera stars US soprano Corinne Winters (pictured) in the title role, with exciting tenor David Butt Philip as the Prince. Listen out for the otherworldly Song to the Moon.
Read more ...London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES
Bach's St Matthew Passion, The Bach Choir
The Bach specialists are joined by orchestra Florilegium and soloists, including as the Evangelist the tenor Ed Lyon (pictured), in the mighty dramatisation in music of Christ's trial and crucifixion. Always a sell-out event, this performance heralds the start of Holy Week, and features a long interval for lunch.
Read more ...Holy Week Festival, St John's Smith Square
The three big JS Bach choral works – the two Passions and the B Minor Mass – are featured among the daily programmes of inspiring and contemplative music from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday. The choirs include Tenebrae (pictured).
Read more ...Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci, Royal Opera House
Unmissable double bill of Italian operas in which ordinary lives are turned upside down by love. Roberto Alagna leads the cast in Damiano Michieletto's award-winning double bill, which opens in the bakery of a small town (pictured), and moves on to a travelling show. Featuring the impassioned Easter Hymn. Booking opens 29 Jan.
Read more ...Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD
Glyndebourne Festival Opera
Three new productions of operas by Poulenc, Handel and Beethoven (his only opera, Fidelio), plus three revivals, including Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail (pictured) are on the programme for this year's most glamorous country opera house. Our tip: catch Dialogues des Carmelites, with Danielle de Niese and Alcina. Booking opens Sun 8 March.
Read more ...Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 5UU
Garsington Opera 2020
Look out your picnic hamper and evening wear... Another quartet of operas performed in heavenly surroundings includes Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio, and works by Mozart and Verdi. Our pick: soprano Natalya Romaniw (pictured) in the title role of Dvorak's Rusalka – the water nymph who gives up her beautiful voice for love. Booking opens 24 March.
Read more ...Wormsley Estate , Stokenchurch, HP14 3YG
Opera Holland Park 2020: the stars, dates and must-sees
Such a central part of London's summer musical life, it is hard to imagine a year without four trips to Opera Holland Park. This year's new productions:Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, Verdi's Rigoletto, Lehár's The Merry Widow and a Delius/Puccini double bill, plus Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance. Booking opens 26 Feb.
Read more ...Turn of the Screw, Royal Opera House
After the triumphant Death in Venice, another Benjamin Britten opera, this time in the Linbury Theatre. Henry James's sinister story of an innocent new governess for two uneasy children unfolds to spellbinding music. Sure to sell out in minutes. Booking opens 15 April
Read more ...Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD
Grange Park Opera 2020
A new opera about a contemporary scandal, plus Puccini's La Bohème, Ponchielli's La Gioconda and the musical Meet Me in St Louis, all at the Theatre in the Woods. Our pick: The Life and Death of Alexander Litvinenko by Anthony Bolton and Kit Hesketh-Harvey. Dress to the nines and pack a picnic. Booking opens 17 March.
Read more ...Bach and Burgundy, Milton Court Concert Hall
Wine and music are natural friends and an exciting new venture by experts in both fields promises to bring together the best sounds and tastes. After a wine tasting, a concert by early music specialists the Academy of Ancient Music.
Read more ...Alice's Adventures Under Ground, Royal Opera House
As if life for Alice under ground were not mad enough, here comes an opera in which all the familiar characters charge through a single crazy hour. Written by Gerald Barry and performed by the best singers in the country.
Read more ...Bach's B Minor Mass, Royal Festival Hall
JS Bach's monumental and intensely moving masterpiece is performed by the choir first formed to give its first performance in Britain, in the 19th century, the Bach Choir. With the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and soloists including soprano Gemma Summerfield (pictured), an absolute must-hear.
Read more ...The Little Orchestra, Beethoven, Battersea Arts Centre
Wherever you turn in 2020 you will hear the music of Beethoven, 250 years since his birth in Bonn, Germany. Here The Little Orchestra begins its immersive musical tour through the Beethoven year with a look at the composer's childhood.
Read more ...