B:Classical - B:Music's 2026/27 classical season in Birmingham mixes local and home-grown talent with international visitors B:Classical - B:Music's 2026/27 classical season in Birmingham mixes local and home-grown talent with international visitors

B:Classical - B:Music's 2026/27 classical season in Birmingham mixes local & home-grown talent & international visitors, whilst Birmingham City Organist Thomas Trotter celebrates his 900th recital. My preview
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/bcla...

Winners of the National Centre for Early Music Young Composers Award 2026 Winners of the National Centre for Early Music Young Composers Award 2026

Winners of the National Centre for Early Music Young Composers Award 2026, in partnership with BBC Radio 3, for a new piece for The Gonzaga Band. My article:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/winn...

First recording of an early 19th century Portuguese radical chamber version of Mozart's Requiem First recording of an early 19th century Portuguese radical chamber version of Mozart's Requiem from Ricardo Bernardes & Americantiga Ensemble, onHora

First recording of an early 19th century Portuguese radical chamber version of Mozart's Requiem from Ricardo Bernardes & Americantiga Ensemble, onHora recordings. My article:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/firs...

Six new operas about Brummies past and present: Birmingham Opera Company invites you to RE-WIRE your mind Six new operas about Brummies past and present: Birmingham Opera Company invites you to RE-WIRE your mind

Six new operas about Brummies past and present: Birmingham Opera Company invites you to RE-WIRE your mind. My preview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/six-...

A delightful jeu d'esprit: a strong cast has great fun with Peter Tranchell's 1950s operetta Twice a Kiss A delightful jeu d'esprit - opera review: a strong cast has great fun with Peter Tranchell's 1950s operetta Twice a Kiss

A delightful jeu d'esprit: a strong cast has great fun with Peter Tranchell's 1950s operetta Twice a Kiss. My review:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/a-de...

The piece that made me fall in love with song: mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston on Schumann's Dichterliebe & recording the songs that make her want to get up in the morning The piece that made me fall in love with song - interview: mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston recording Schumann's Dichterliebe with Sholto Kynoch for BIS

The piece that made me fall in love with song: Helen Charlston - Mezzo Soprano on recording Schumann's Dichterliebe & Heloise Werner for BIS with Sholto Kynoch, premiering Michel van der Aa's Theory of Flames with Dutch National Opera & more. My interview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/the-...

A vividly theatrical mix of Eastern folk traditions & 17th century Italian music: MOURN from Alkanna Graeca & Figure A vividly theatrical mix of Eastern folk traditions & 17th century Italian music - review: MOURN from Alkanna Graeca & Figure at Stone Nest

A vividly theatrical mix of Eastern folk traditions & 17th century Italian music: MOURN from Alkanna Graeca & Figure at Stone Nest, devised by Frederick Waxman & Arianna Achillea. My review:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/a-vi...

Orpheus returns, raag, rhythm & a new sitar concerto: Jasdeep Singh Degun to be artist in residence at Barbican Centre for 2026/27 Orpheus returns, raag, rhythm & a new sitar concerto: Jasdeep Singh Degun to be artist in residence at Barbican Centre for 2026/27

Opera North's Orpheus returns, raag & rhythm at the Darbar Festival & a new sitar concerto with BBC Symphony Orchestra: Jasdeep Singh Degun to be artist in residence at Barbican Centre for 2026/27. My preview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/orph...

Beautifully wrought & intensely serious: Kitty Whately & Julius Drake explore the songs of Madeleine Dring Beautifully wrought & intensely serious - record review: Kitty Whately & Julius Drake explore the songs of Madeleine Dring on Chandos

Beautifully wrought & intensely serious: Kitty Whately & Julius Drake explore the songs of Madeleine Dring on Chandos. My record review:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/beau...

March on Planet Hugill: Titus, Rinaldo, Tamerlano, Acis, Galatea and Friends. My e-newsletter on Mailchimp:
mailchi.mp/planethugill...

An evening of connection, reflection, & celebration: Renell Shaw's The Windrush Suite and Echo in the Bones as part of his artist residency at Kings Place for their Memory Unwrapped season. My preview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/an-e...

Music at the Heart of the community: Sinfonia Cymru take us from Latin America and France to concerts in local venues across Wales Music at the Heart of the community: Sinfonia Cymru take us from Latin America and France to concerts in local venues across Wales

Music at the Heart of the Community: Sinfonia Cymru take us from Latin America and France to concerts in local venues across Wales. My preview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/musi...

Signs, Games & Messages: Lewes Chamber Music Festival 2026 celebrates Kurtág Signs, Games & Messages: Lewes Chamber Music Festival 2026 celebrates Kurtág’s 100th anniversary

Signs, Games & Messages: Lewes Chamber Music Festival 2026 celebrates Kurtág's 100th anniversary under artistic director Beatrice Philips alongside 14 fellow musicians. My preview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/sign...

A new festival in Galsgow and Edinburgh recalls a forgotten 19th century Scottish musical pioneer, Helen Hopekirk A new festival in Galsgow and Edinburgh recalls a forgotten 19th century Scottish musical pioneer, Helen Hopekirk

A new festival in Galsgow and Edinburgh recalls a forgotten 19th century Scottish musical pioneer, Helen Hopekirk. My preview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/a-ne...

From London to Jerusalem: America period instrument ensemble Apollo's Fire return to London for a second residency at St Martin in the Fields From London to Jerusalem: America period instrument ensemble Apollo's Fire return to London for a second residency at St Martin in the Fields

From London to Jerusalem: America period instrument ensemble Apollo's Fire return to London for a second residency at St Martin in the Fields. My preview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/from...

Cross-cultural cross currents: Jasdeep Singh Degun with Fantasia Orchestra in Terry Riley's iconic In C performed by string orchestra, piano, sitar and tabla at Smith Square Hall Cross-cultural cross currents - review: Jasdeep Singh Degun with Tom Fetherstonhaugh & Fantasia Orchestra in Terry Riley's iconic In C

Cross-cultural cross currents: Jasdeep Singh Degun with Tom Fetherstonhaugh & Fantasia Orchestra in Terry Riley's iconic In C performed by string orchestra, piano, sitar and tabla at Smith Square Hall alongside Degun, Glass & Rameau. My concert review:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/cros...

Fellow Travelers: Gregory Spears' opera celebrates its 10th anniversary with a nationwide USA tour collaborating with the American LGBTQ+ Museum's Lavender Names Project. My article:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/greg...

Bridging worlds: premiere of Eleanor Alberga's Symphony No. 2 by Academy of St Martin in the Fields alongside music by Grazyna Bacewicz, Florence Price, Carolyn Shaw, Bridging worlds - review: Eleanor Alberga's Symphony No. 2 by Academy of St Martin in the Fields + Grazyna Bacewicz, Florence Price, Carolyn Shaw

Bridging worlds: premiere of Eleanor Alberga's Symphony No. 2 by Academy of St Martin in the Fields alongside music by Grazyna Bacewicz, Florence Price, Carolyn Shaw. My concert review:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/brid...

Elaborate vocal lines, aching beauty & expressive pain: The Portrait Players & Dame Emma Kirkby in I Voci Segreti. Elaborate vocal lines, aching beauty & expressive pain - review: The Portrait Players & Dame Emma Kirkby in I Voci Segreti at CMF lunchtime concert

Elaborate vocal lines, aching beauty & expressive pain: The Portrait Players & Dame Emma Kirkby in I Voci Segreti at City Music Foundation concert at St Bart's Great Hall
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/elab...

1976 and All That! Spitalfields Music Festival celebrates 50 years since its founding with contemporary music, classical repertoire and cross-artform collaborations including 20 premieres 1976 and All That! Spitalfields Music Festival celebrates 50 years since its founding with contemporary music, classical repertoire and cross-artform

1976 and All That! Spitalfields Music Festival celebrates 50 years since its founding with contemporary music, classical repertoire and cross-artform collaborations including 20 premieres. My preview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/1976...

Sofiane Pamart: Cinematic Horizons with "MOVIE" Sofiane Pamart: Cinematic Horizons with "MOVIE"

French pianist and composer Sofiane Pamart explores Cinematic Horizons with his new album "MOVIE" with Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. Sofiane's interview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/sofi...

The celebrated choral ensemble Tenebrae and the equally celebrated Britten Sinfonia joined forces in a devout concert for Holy Week Review: The celebrated choral ensemble Tenebrae and the equally celebrated Britten Sinfonia joined forces in a devout concert for Holy Week

Maundy Thursday concert: Edmund Finnis, Allegri, Barber, Victoria, James MacMillan from Tenebrae, Britten Sinfonia at Snape Maltings. Tony's review:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/the-...

Decadent & modernist: I chat to director Max Hoehn & designer Darko Petrovic about working on the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisbon's first staging of Wagner's Tannhäuser for 30 years Interview: Director Max Hoehn & designer Darko Petrovic on Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisbon's first staging of Wagner's Tannhäuser for 30 years

Decadent & modernist: director Max Hoehn & designer Darko Petrovic on working on the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisbon's first staging of Wagner's Tannhäuser for nearly 30 years. My interview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/deca...

Drama & presence: Bach's St Matthew Passion at the Barbican with Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen, Nick Pritchard & Alex Rosen Drama & presence - concert review: Bach's St Matthew Passion at the Barbican with Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen, Nick Pritchard & Alex Rosen

Drama & presence: Bach's St Matthew Passion at the Barbican Centre with Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen, Nick Pritchard, Alex Rosen, Carolyn Sampson, Hugh Cutting, Hugo Hymas & Thomas Bauer. My review:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/dram...

A sonic extravaganza: Alex Paxton's Candyfolk Spacedrum demonstrates his gift for carefully crafted music that has the energy & engagement of a communal jam session. A sonic extravaganza - review: Alex Paxton's Candyfolk Spacedrum, carefully crafted music that has the energy of a communal jam session

A sonic extravaganza: Alex Paxton's Candyfolk Spacedrum demonstrates his gift for carefully crafted music that has the energy & engagement of a communal jam session. On Jonah Records with Jennifer Walshe, Riot Ensemble, London Sinfonietta. My review:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/a-so...

Act Four: Young Artists from the National Opera Studio on terrific form in scenes directed by Ruth Knight Act Four - opera review: Young Artists from the National Opera Studio on terrific form in scenes directed by Ruth Knight

Act Four: Young Artists from the National Opera Studio on terrific form at Bishopsgate Institute in scenes directed by Ruth Knight in a show created in collaboration with Welsh National Opera. My review:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/act-...

Shakespeare in Music? “Give me excess of it”. There is no sickening and the appetite never dies. Shakespeare in Music? “Give me excess of it”. There is no sickening and the appetite never dies. Shakespeare in Music Festival, Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare in Music? “Give me excess of it”. There is no sickening and the appetite never dies. The second Shakespeare in Music festival in Stratford-upon-Avon. Our preview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/04/shak...

Grimeborn Festival 2026: where daring stories, urgent questions and bold reinventions unfold across intimate stages Grimeborn Festival 2026: where daring stories, urgent questions and bold reinventions unfold across intimate stages at the Arcola Theatre

Grimeborn Festival 2026: where daring stories, urgent questions and bold reinventions unfold across intimate stages - Purcell, Handel, Mozart, 20th century & contemporary opera at the Arcola Theatre. My preview:
www.planethugill.com/2026/03/grim...

Warm hearted & with a twinkle in his eye: The Brook Street Band bring out the sense of enjoyment in the violin sonatas of Ipswich-based Joseph Gibbs Warm hearted & with a twinkle in his eye - review: The Brook Street Band bring a sense of enjoyment to violin sonatas of Ipswich-based Joseph Gibbs

Warm hearted & with a twinkle in his eye: The Brook Street Band bring out the sense of enjoyment in the violin sonatas of Ipswich-based Joseph Gibbs on First Hand Records. My record review:
www.planethugill.com/2026/03/warm...

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