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Classical Music

Best concerts and opera in July

By Claudia Pritchard on 25/6/2023

Our pick of the BBC Proms, the greatest music festival in the world, plus a new opera for all the family at Opera Holland Park

Spitalfields Festival

An exciting and imaginative series of live concerts across this vibrant east London area has something for every taste, with new music and much-loved pieces revisited. Artists include mould-breaking violinist Fenella Humphreys and harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani playing new music (Wednesday 12 July).

WHEN

Friday 30 June to Wednesday 12 July

WHERE

East London venues

Don Carlo, Royal Opera House

The marriage of Don Carlos and Elizabeth of Valois promises to bring peace to Spain and France – until Carlos’s father, Philip II, decides to marry Elizabeth himself… Nicholas Hytner’s spectacular production of Verdi's great drama stars Brian Jagde and Lise Davidsen (pictured). Stand by for some of the most terrifying music in all opera.

WHEN

Friday 30 June to Saturday 15 July

WHERE

Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD

Prom 6: Sir Stephen Hough plays Rachmaninov

This year's BBC Proms are rightly dominated by the Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninov, born 150 years ago. With his broad, romantic melodies, virtuosic solo work and huge orchestration, his compositions are thrilling heard live. Stephen Hough (pictured) plays the Piano Concerto No 1 with the BBC Philharmonic in a programme that also includes a new piece by Grace-Evangeline Mason and Mahler's tender Symphony No 1.

WHEN

Tuesday 18 July, 7:30pm

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP

La Bohème, Opera Holland Park

Young love blossoms fast in Puccini's romantic opera, but withers with time, until tested to the limit. A new production by director Natascha Metherell of the Parisian tale of headstrong young artists features tenor Adam Gilbert as poet Rodolfo and Katie Bird (pictured) as Mimì. OHP has a good track record with Italian verismo (real-life) opera, and this one is packed with familiar music.

WHEN

Wednesday 19 July to Saturday 5 August, 7:30pm (nine performances)

WHERE

Opera Holland Park, Stable Yard, Holland Park, London W8 6LU

Proms 10 & 11: Horrible Histories: 'Orrible Opera

What a fantastic idea! From the brilliant Horrible Histories people, a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of opera, especially for children. English National Opera Chorus and Orchestra dive into Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Puccini’s Turandot, Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.

WHEN

Saturday 22 July, 2pm and 6pm, and on BBC Sounds

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP

Itch, Opera Holland Park

Itch is a boy who prefers offbeat hobbies – like collecting all the elements in the Periodic Table. When a piece of radioactive rock comes his way, he has a real challenge on his hands. A new opera based on the best-selling books by radio presenter Simon Mayo and composed by Jonathan Dove gets its UK premiere. Aimed at all ages, a lively cast includes Adam Temple-Smith as Itch and Eric Greene (pictured) as his dad, Nicholas.

WHEN

Saturday 22 July to Friday 4 August

WHERE

Opera Holland Park, Stable Yard, Holland Park, London W8 6LU

Semele, Glyndebourne Festival Opera

Semele is about to be married, but she plays with fire by falling in love with Jove. Handel's dramatic opera is staged for the first time at Glyndebourne. Expect electrifying playing from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Joelle Harvey (pictured) sings the title role in a new production by Adele Thomas, one of the most exciting directors working in opera today.

WHEN

Sunday 23 July to Saturday 26 August, 12 performances with long dinner interval

WHERE

Glyndebourne, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 5UU

Prom 14: Elgar's Enigma Variations

One of the most loved pieces in the concert repertoire, the 'Enigma' Variations never fail to please with their pictures in music of composer Edward Elgar's friends, including the moving Nimrod. Hear them live, on air or online when the BBC Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Elim Chan (pictured). Soloist Jan Lisiecki joins them for Beethoven's dynamic Piano Concerto No 3. To open, a work inspired by a miraculous fabric: Noriko Koide's Swaddling Silk and Gossamer Rain.

WHEN

Tuesday 25 July, 7pm

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP; and on BBC Sounds