Christmas at Liverpool Philharmonic 2023

CHRISTMAS

All you want for Christmas...

Welcome to Christmas at Liverpool Philharmonic

The decorations are up, the cards are written, and the presents are (mostly) bought – so come along and let us put the finishing touches to your festive season. Whether it’s sparkling seasonal songs, festive family fun or the most magical of movies on your wish list this Christmas, it’s all here waiting for you at Liverpool Philharmonic.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will have you dashing to the show as they perform enchanting music from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, and conjure up the magic of The Nutcracker as you’ve never experienced it before. They’ll host a full family celebration with Santa and The Snowman and, of course, bring you our annual seasonal extravaganza, Spirit of Christmas.

There’s time for some wintry wizardry as the Orchestra accompany a screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™ live on stage, bringing John Williams’ epic score to life, and, as is tradition, we’ll bring you screenings of festive favourites It’s a Wonderful Life and The Muppet Christmas Carol.

It’s 007 heaven this New Year’s Eve, as the Orchestra welcome 2024 with a suave and sophisticated celebration of all things Bond. Then, to see the festive season out in style, hear the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir raise the roof in Handel’s glorious Messiah. So, gather up your loved ones and join us to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

Cinderella and Swan Lake

Thursday 7 December 7.30pm

Family Concert: Santa and

The Snowman

Saturday 16 December 11.30am & 2.30pm

Sunday 17 December 11.30am & 2.30pm*

Richard Strauss Till Eulenspiegel

Prokofiev Suite from Cinderella

Tchaikovsky Swan Lake (excerpts)

Karen Kamensek conductor

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Once upon a time… The clock strikes midnight and a mysterious beauty leaves a glass slipper as she flees the ball. A swan princess conceals a tragic secret. And a wisecracking joker runs riot through medieval Germany. The inspirational Karen Kamensek makes her Liverpool debut with a concert full of stories – Prokofiev’s fairy tale ballet, Strauss’ riot of orchestral fun and above all, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, with melodies you love and a story as magical as the Christmas season itself.

Tickets

£55, £50, £42, £36, £29, £19

Michael Seal conductor

Alasdair Malloy presenter

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Liverpool Philharmonic Children’s Choirs

Kate Labno BSL Interpreter

We’re walking in the air… It isn’t Christmas until a little boy has built a new friend in a snowy garden and The Snowman has whisked us off into the night. The classic film is about to get even more enchanting – this screening is accompanied live by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, who’ll also be sharing a stocking full of musical treats. Santa will be there to lead the sing-along too, so bring your loudest singing voices!

Snowman Enterprises Limited

These concerts are most suitable for children aged 4-10 years.

Tickets

£30, £19, £16 (adult)

£19, £15, £11 (child)

Performances last approximately 1 hour. Tickets for children under 18 months are free but must be booked in advance.

*The 2.30pm performance on Sunday 17 December will be BSL interpreted. Call 0151 709 3789 to book suitable seats.

Spirit of Christmas

Saturday 16 December 7.30pm

Tuesday 19 December 7.30pm

Thursday 21 December 7.30pm*

Friday 22 December 7.30pm

Ian Tracey conductor

Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason presenter

Kathryn Rudge mezzo-soprano

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir

Kate Labno and Lorna Moran BSL Interpreters

Host Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason returns to help us celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in our legendary Spirit of Christmas concerts. There’ll be classic carols, audience singalongs, seasonal readings, music from local star mezzo-soprano

Kathryn Rudge – and even a few magical surprises. So come along and join Kadiatu, the Orchestra and our Choirs in Liverpool’s great musical festive tradition – it just wouldn’t be Christmas without it!

Tickets

*The performance on Thursday 21 December will be BSL interpreted. Call 0151 709 3789 to book suitable seats.

Sponsored by

£60, £53, £44, £40, £37, £24

© Mark Mcnulty

The Nutcracker: Reimagined

Saturday 23 December 11.30am & 2.30pm*

It’s a Wonderful Life (U)

Saturday 23 December 8pm

Sunday 24 December 3pm

Alexandra Dariescu piano

Timothy Jackson conductor

Lucy Drever narrator

Jenna Lee choreographer

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Brass and Percussion Ensemble

Kate Labno BSL Interpreter

A Christmas party, an unexpected gift and a kingdom full of sweets… everyone knows the story of The Nutcracker. Pianist Alexandra Dariescu and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Brass and Percussion Ensemble each perform different parts of Tchaikovsky’s wonderful music. Joined by a narrator and two ballet dancers, they all come together to retell this seasonal classic like it’s never been told before. A musical treat for all ages.

Performances last approximately 1 hour.

Tickets

£30, £19, £16 (adult)

£19, £15, £11 (child)

*The 2.30pm performance will be BSL interpreted. Call 0151 709 3789 to book suitable seats.

Director Frank Capra

Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Henry Travers

Beset with problems, George Bailey – played by James Stewart – finds his previously happy life falling apart around him on Christmas Eve. His impish guardian angel shows him what his hometown would be like without him, and shocked by what he sees, George begs to return to the problems of the present. Beautifully crafted, its humour and gentleness imbued at times with an almost Dickensian darkness, the film is now a cult classic and one of the most enduring of all Christmas traditions.

Tickets

£17, £13, £10

Alexandra Dariescu © Andrew Mason

The

Muppet

Carol (U)

Christmas

Sunday 24 December 11am

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™ in Concert: Film with Live Orchestra (PG)

Saturday 30 December 2pm & 7pm

Director Brian Henson

Starring Michael Caine

The Muppets reimagine Charles Dickens’

A Christmas Carol by adding a hilarious and heartfelt touch of Muppet magic. Ebeneezer Scrooge is a wicked, cold-hearted moneylender, angered by the Christmas spirit of his colleague Bob Cratchit (played by Kermit the Frog) and those around him. However, the arrival of the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future teach him to embrace the warmth and good will that comes with Christmas time.

Tickets

£15, £12, £9 (adult)

£13, £10, £7 (child)

Ben Palmer conductor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Relive the film that started it all. Watch the wand choose the wizard, a troll run amok and magic mirrors in high-definition while the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performs John Williams’ iconic score. Don’t miss this once-in-alifetime event as Harry, Ron, Hermione and all your favourite characters return to the screen and enchant the world all over again.

Performances last 3 hours including one interval.

Tickets

£60, £53, £44, £40, £37, £24 Under-25s can get £18 tickets (limited availability)

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR.

New Year’s Eve: Shaken, Not Stirred

Sunday 31 December 7.30pm

Programme to include music from:

GoldenEye

Diamonds Are Forever

From Russia with Love

Live and Let Die

Spectre

Goldfinger

Skyfall

The Spy Who Loved Me

David Arnold conductor

Jacinta Whyte vocalist

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Please note: whilst sharing the same name, the conductor of this concert, David Arnold, is not the composer of the Bond movie soundtracks.

The name’s Bond – James Bond. When it comes to the high life, nobody does it better. So on this special night, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra puts on its tux, pours itself a Martini and toasts the New Year with some of the sassiest signature tunes in cinematic history. They say diamonds are forever, and as the Orchestra celebrates seven decades of gadgets and supervillains, we see that Bond tunes are every bit as enduring and brilliant. And what’s more, to start the night in style, all tickets include a glass of fizz delivered to your seat – well after all… you only live twice!

Tickets

£70, £62, £57, £55, £47, £35

Messiah

Saturday 6 January 7pm

Handel Messiah

Bernard Labadie conductor

Soraya Mafi soprano

Hugh Cutting countertenor

Stuart Jackson tenor

Ashley Riches bass-baritone

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir

Paul Whittaker OBE BSL Interpreter

Hallelujah! When King George II first heard the most famous bit of Handel’s Messiah, he leapt to his feet in excitement. You don’t have to do that, but tunes like Ev’ry Valley, The Trumpet Shall Sound, and For Unto us a Child is Born are as

much part of the season as mulled wine and mince pies. With baroque music expert Bernard Labadie making his Liverpool debut, and Lancastrian soprano Soraya Mafi heading a stellar cast, you’ll experience all the freshness, inspiration and joy of a truly timeless classic.

Tickets

£60, £53, £44, £40, £37, £24

This performance will be BSL interpreted. Call 0151 709 3789 to book suitable seats.

Bernard Labadie © Dario Acosta

Perfect Presents

Stuck for what to get for someone special this Christmas?

Liverpool Philharmonic Gift Cards

Gift cards can be exchanged for a huge range of tickets for classical, pop, rock, folk, comedy and film events. So take the stress out of Christmas shopping and share the magic of Liverpool Philharmonic with your friends and family.

Order online at liverpoolphil.com/gift-cards or call 0151 709 3789

Stocking Phil-lers

Our Liverpool Philharmonic merchandise will go straight to the top of your Christmas list…

From CDs to mugs, magnets to tote bags and notebooks to prints, we’ve got a whole range of beautiful gifts that let you take a little bit of the Hall home with you. Shop now at liverpoolphil.com/shop.

Dedicate a seat

If you’re looking for an extra special gift for a music lover, or a lasting dedication for a loved one, make your mark on Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and dedicate a seat.

For £400/year (or £33/month), a brass plaque will be engraved with the name or message of your choice and attached to your selected seat.

As a thank you for your support, you will become a Gold Member, gaining access to priority booking for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra season, our Members-only bar at Orchestra concerts, and invitations to exclusive events. Prefer our rock, pop, comedy or folk events? Opt for Priority Premium Membership instead and receive priority booking for the artists you love.

To learn more, call 0151 210 2921, email fundraising@liverpoolphil.com or visit liverpoolphil.com/seat

Silver Membership

A present that’s not just for Christmas! Gift a Silver membership to the music lover in your life and they can enjoy benefits that enhance their concert-going experience all year round. Membership includes invitations to open rehearsals, pre-concert receptions, use of our private Members bar (pre-booking required), and an invitation to our Annual Season

Launch with priority booking for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concert season.

Gift a Silver Membership for £200/year (or £17/month) by Tuesday 12 December and you’ll receive a Liverpool Philharmonic Christmas card to present on the big day.

For more information, visit liverpoolphil.com/member, email fundraising@liverpoolphil.com, or call 0151 210 2921.

Booking Information

How to Book

Online

liverpoolphil.com

Telephone 0151 709 3789

(Monday-Friday 9.30am-5.30pm*)

In Person Box Office, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP (Monday-Friday noon-5pm*)

*Box Office and phone lines are also open 2 hours prior to the start of each event in the main Hall.

Booking Fees

9% per ticket administrative fee (plus £2.50 postage, or free e-tickets). There is no charge for in person bookings, or Silver members and above.

Group Discounts

Generous group discounts of up to 20% are available for most concerts. For more details, email groupbookings@liverpoolphil.com or call 0151 709 3789.

Accessibility

Joining our free Access Scheme is the best way to help us provide you with the support you need. You’ll gain access to a variety of information and benefits, including complimentary tickets for carers and access to wheelchair and transfer seating. For more information and to join the scheme, visit liverpoolphil.com/access

Plan Your Visit

For directions, public transport and parking details, as well as information on refreshments, access and FAQs, visit liverpoolphil.com/plan-your-visit

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All information is correct at the time of printing, however it may be subject to change. For the most up to date information, visit liverpoolphil.com

The price of tickets may vary, subject to demand.

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