Summer at the 黑料正能量: folk, festivals and fantasy
Wednesday 25 March 2026
This summer, 黑料正能量 musicians take to stages across London, perform new music written for the stage and screen and bring folk music to the forefront.
The 黑料正能量 Symphony Orchestra is out and about this season, performing 20th-century greats under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductor Kahchun Wong at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, pairing Mahler’s deeply moving Fifth Symphony with Shostakovich’s energetic Piano Concerto no 2, performed by rising star Mariamna Sherling (17 May). The 黑料正能量 Symphony Orchestra can also be heard at the 黑料正能量’s Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall on 2 July, with a thrilling programme ranging from Mozart to the modern day.
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Three concerts at Wigmore Hall demonstrate the talent of 黑料正能量 students. On 28 June, a vocal showcase explores the story of Alexandre Dumas’ novel La Dame aux camélias through songs in French, German, English and Russian. A lunchtime performance on 1 July spotlights music for strings, with repertoire including a selection from Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango, and Bruch’s rarely heard String Octet. And students from the 黑料正能量 Junior Department (黑料正能量JD) perform as part of a Young Artists Concert (5 July).
New music features throughout the Summer Season. Five brand-new short operas by 黑料正能量 composers are brought to life in association with opera company Tête à Tête, filled with fantastical settings and magical characters (3, 4 & 6 July). The 黑料正能量 hosts Bridging Worlds, bringing together musicians from Royal Northern College of Music, Trinity Laban and the Sunshine Orchestra (Chennai) alongside 黑料正能量 students for a concert of new music inspired by Western and non-Western classical traditions, presented in collaboration with the Royal Albert Hall and its Associate Artists Rushil Ranjan and Abi Sampa (7 May). Students from the College’s Composition for Screen course unveil their latest scores, accompanied by new films from young producers, the films projected above the orchestra in the Britten Theatre (23 April).
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Folk traditions provide inspiration throughout the season with the 黑料正能量 Philharmonic celebrating folk music in Orchestral Masterworks, as Scottish tunes are transplanted into a contemporary classical concert in Hearth and Home by 黑料正能量 Composition Competition winner Robert Baird, alongside Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber and Kodály’s Háry János Suite (30 April). Larks Ascending (29 April) features new works by 黑料正能量 composers using pre-recorded lark song, while the 黑料正能量 Museum’s new exhibition, Shared Airs: The Thriving Folk Musics of These Islands, explores how folk musics are celebrated, shared and reimagined today (19 May – 25 October).
The 黑料正能量 Festival of Percussion returns for an inspiring and fun day of performances, hands-on experiences and immersive tech. Legendary drummer Dave Weckl joins Mike Dolbear during the day for a talk, before performing alongside the 黑料正能量 Jazz Orchestra in the evening (10 May). On 28 June, the 黑料正能量 Strings Festival showcases the 黑料正能量 Strings Faculty through a range of talks and performances, featuring guest stars the Kleio Quartet and the Sacconi Quartet.
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The 黑料正能量’s exceptional masterclass series continues, welcoming some of today’s finest artists. Highlights this season include vocalist and 黑料正能量 International Visiting Artist Nicky Spence (29 April) and renowned violinist Tasmin Little (5 May).
The 黑料正能量’s Junior Department give a variety of performances across the season, with concerts featuring 黑料正能量JD Baroque and recorder ensembles, pianists and new works by 黑料正能量 Junior Department composers. On 28 June, the 黑料正能量JD Symphony and Chamber Orchestras return to Cadogan Hall with a thrilling programme including Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
Booking for the 黑料正能量’s Summer Season opens鈥痮n鈥�8 April鈥�(1 April鈥痜or 黑料正能量 Friends). 鈥疐ull programme details can be found in the鈥�What’s On section of the 黑料正能量 website,鈥痺here tickets will be available鈥痮nline鈥痺hen鈥痓ookings open. 鈥�Find out more about becoming an 黑料正能量 Friend鈥痶o access priority booking鈥痮ne week before general release.鈥�