Classical highlights for the week ahead: 1-7 November
The Magic Flute
Glyndebourne Touring Opera’s cut-down, semi-staged performances of Mozart’s Singspiel, directed by Donna Stirrup and sung in English. Leo McFall conducts, the cast is led by Thomas Atkins as Tamino and Gemma Summerfield as Pamina.
• Glyndebourne Opera House, Lewes, 1, 3 and 5, to 21 November, ticketed live performances
Bluebeard’s Castle
The London Symphony Orchestra streams Simon Rattle’s performance of Bartók’s only opera, recorded in September in a re-scoring for chamber forces; Gerald Finley is Bluebeard and Karen Cargill is Judith.
• LSO St Luke’s, London, streamed from 1 November
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla picks up where she left off before lockdown and the birth her second child, with Brahms’s Third Symphony. It’s preceded by the finale of Ligeti’s Concert Romanesc, and Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto, with the CBSO’s principal Nikolaj Henriques as the soloist.
• Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 4 November, ticketed live performances
Fretwork
The viol consort launches this year’s London International Festival of Early Music with a mix of Tudor and new music. There are pieces by Holborne, Bull and Tye alongside Arvo Pärt, and the world premiere of (Led Zeppelin’s) John Paul Jones’s The Tudor Pull.
• Blackheath Concert Halls, London, 5 November. LIFEM continues to 11 November; live performances streamed online.
Mozart’s Requiem
English National Opera returns to the Coliseum, with performances of Mozart’s final, unfinished work. Music director Martyn Brabbins conducts ENO’s chorus and orchestra, with soloists Elizabeth Llewellyn, Sarah Connolly, Ed Lyon and Gerald Finley.
• Coliseum, London, 6 and 7 November, ticketed live performances
