Dear Group Travel Organiser,
Welcome to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s (RPO) 2022–23 London Season. Groups of just six or more bookers can save up to 35% on every concert featured in this brochure. Take a look at what’s coming up, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me to make your reservation, with no obligation to pay until two months before the performance. We hope to see you and your group at an RPO concert soon.
With best wishes,
Jo Thomson – RPO Friends’ & Groups’ ManagerEmail: groups@rpo.co.uk Tel: 020 7608 8840
At a glance
Autumn / Winter 2022
Thu 22 Sep, 7.30pm Isata Kanneh-Mason performs Clara Schumann Cadogan Hall
Sun 2 Oct, 7.30pm Journeys of Discovery: Awakening Southbank Centre
Sun 23 Oct, 3pm Journeys of Discovery: Redemption Royal Albert Hall
Tue 25 Oct, 7.30pm Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky Cadogan Hall
Tue 1 Nov, 7.30pm Jennifer Pike plays Bruch Cadogan Hall
Wed 2 Nov, 7.30pm Symphonic Queen Royal Albert Hall
Thu 10 Nov, 7.30pm Vaughan Williams and Ravel Cadogan Hall
Tue 22 Nov, 7.30pm Magic and Mysticism Cadogan Hall
Thu 1 Dec, 7.30pm A Classical Christmas Cadogan Hall
Tue 6 Dec, 3pm & 7.30pm John Rutter's Christmas Celebration Royal Albert Hall
Sat 10 Dec, 3pm & 7.30pm Christmas Cracker Cadogan Hall
Spring / Summer 2023
Wed 8 Feb, 7.30pm Journeys of Discovery: Ecstasy Southbank Centre
Tue 14 Feb, 7.30pm Orchestral Valentines Cadogan Hall
Thu 23 Feb, 7.30pm Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony Cadogan Hall
Thu 2 Mar, 7.30pm Roderick Cox conducts Brahms Cadogan Hall
Wed 8 Mar, 7.30pm Let's Face The Music Royal Albert Hall
Wed 22 Mar, 7.30pm Journeys of Discovery: Freedom Southbank Centre
Thu 23 Mar, 7.30pm Elgar's Enigma Variations
Cadogan Hall
Thu 30 Mar, 7.30pm Journeys of Discovery: Transcendence Royal Albert Hall
Tue 4 Apr, 7.30pm The Music of Bond
Wed 5 Apr, 7.30pm Mark Bebbington plays Delius
Royal Albert Hall
Cadogan Hall
Sun 23 Apr, 7.30pm Journeys of Discovery: Destiny Southbank Centre
Thu 27 Apr, 7.30pm Journeys of Discovery: Dreams
Royal Albert Hall
Wed 3 May, 7.30pm Beethoven's Fifth Symphony Cadogan Hall
Wed 10 May, 7.30pm Journeys of Discovery: Psychedelia
Sat 13 May, 3pm & 7.30pm Film Music Gala
Southbank Centre
Royal Albert Hall
Wed 7 Jun, 7.30pm Journeys of Discovery: Conflict Southbank Centre
Wed 14 Jun, 7.30pm Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition
Cadogan Hall
The RPO at the Royal Albert Hall
As Associate Orchestra of the Royal Albert Hall, the RPO is thrilled to return with another series of sensational shows at this world-renowned venue. Be sure to get your reservations in fast –these are hot tickets that are always popular with groups.
Symphonic Queen
A symphonic celebration of Queen’s greatest hits, including: We Will Rock You, Don’t Stop Me Now, Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust, A Kind Of Magic and We Are The Champions.
Featuring a spectacular light show, a host of backing vocalists and a special guest presenter.
John Rutter’s Christmas Celebration
This ever-popular festive concert features glorious symphonic and choral classics, sing-along carols, and John’s famous Christmas quiz. Guaranteed to fill you with sparkle and cheer.
Conducted and presented by John Rutter himself, and featuring The Bach Choir, VOCES8 and solo choristers from Guildford Cathedral
Let’s Face The Music
Classic songs from the golden age of Hollywood, including: Anything Goes, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, The Wizard Of Oz and A Star Is Born.
Featuring vocalists Louise Dearman and Ricardo Afonso
New for 2023: a special tribute to the music of George Gershwin.
For seating, prices and group discounts, please refer to the Royal Albert Hall Group Price Chart I on page 4.
The RPO at the Royal Albert Hall
The Music of Bond
Iconic songs from: Goldfinger, Goldeneye, Diamonds Are Forever, Live And Let Die, Spectre… and many more.
Featuring vocalists Alison Jiear and Lance Ellington
New for 2023: music from the latest release, No Time To Die.
*Please note that this concert has been rescheduled from Tuesday 20 September 2022.
Film Music Gala
Timeless themes from the silver screen, including: Star Wars®, The Lord Of The Rings, Gladiator, Harry Potter and Jurassic Park.
Presented by BBC Radio 3’s Petroc Trelawny
New for 2023: a 100th anniversary tribute to the music of Disney.
Booking fees apply. Some prices may be subject to change without notice.
Journeys of Discovery with Vasily Petrenko
Join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director Vasily Petrenko on a journey through the facets of the human character, with music as our guide. At the Royal Albert Hall, we bring you Mahler’s three choral symphonies – starting with his titanic ‘Symphony of a Thousand’ – featuring massed choirs and star soloists.
Journeys of Discovery: Awakening
Includes: Grieg’s evergreen Piano Concerto performed by Simon Trpčeski, and Strauss’ tone poem Also sprach Zarathustra – the imposing opening fanfare you will no doubt recognise from Stanley Kubrick’s epic sci-fi film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Journeys of Discovery: Redemption
An unmissable opportunity to see Mahler’s ‘Symphony of a Thousand’, with massed choirs and eight vocal soloists. Featuring the Philharmonia Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, the City of London Choir, and more.
A kaleidoscope of sounds awaits you at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, with highlights such as Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra, Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (conducted by Sir Andrew Davis), and much more.
Royal Festival Hall
Sun 2 Oct 2022, 7.30pm
Royal Albert Hall - matinee concert
Sun 23 Oct 2022, 3pm
For seating, prices and group discounts, please refer to the Group Price Charts on page 7. 5
Journeys of Discovery: Ecstasy
Featuring: Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet (excerpts), Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G performed by Javier Perianes, Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde (Prelude and Liebestod), and Scriabin’s breathtaking The Poem of Ecstasy.
Journeys of Discovery: Freedom
Sir Andrew Davis conducts works by Beethoven and Mahler, including the former’s ninth and final symphony, ‘Choral’, with its famous Ode to Joy finale. Featuring The Bach Choir and a stellar line-up of guest vocal soloists.
Journeys of Discovery: Transcendence
Mahler’s Symphony No.2, ‘Resurrection’ is considered the composer’s ‘ode to life’, full of twists and turns before its glorious finale. With vocalists Elizabeth Watts and Jennifer Johnston, plus the Philharmonia Chorus
Journeys of Discovery: Destiny
Featuring: Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Elgar’s much-loved Cello Concerto performed by Truls Mørk, and Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony – a fateful masterpiece, containing the loudest climax the composer ever wrote.
Journeys of Discovery: Dreams
Mahler’s Symphony No.3 is considered so ambitious and breathtaking in melodic beauty, that he could only have dreamt it, let alone write it. Performed here alongside Mezzosoprano Hanna Hipp, the Philharmonia Chorus and Tiffin Boys’ Choir.
Royal Festival Hall
Wed 8 Feb 2023, 7.30pm
Royal Festival Hall
Wed 22 Mar 2023, 7.30pm
Royal Albert Hall
Thu 30 Mar 2023, 7.30pm
Royal Festival Hall
Sun 23 Apr 2023, 7.30pm
Royal Albert Hall
Thu 27 Apr 2023, 7.30pm
Journeys of Discovery: Psychedelia
Featuring: Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral, Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No.2 performed by Arabella Steinbacher, and Berlioz’s zany Symphonie Fantastique – an unpredictable and hallucinatory work, depicting fantasy, dreams and nightmares.
Journeys of Discovery: Conflict
Featuring Tchaikovsky’s passionate Piano Concerto No.1 performed by Nobuyuki Tsujii, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No.8 – the composer’s cathartic response to the unfathomable losses of the Second World War.
Wed 10 May 2023, 7.30pm
Wed 7 Jun 2023, 7.30pm
Booking fees apply. Some prices may be subject to change without notice.
Royal Festival HallThe RPO at Cadogan Hall
They say that there’s ‘no place like home’ and that’s certainly how we feel about the intimate atmosphere and rich acoustic of Cadogan Hall, our resident home.
We warmly welcome an inspiring line-up of conductors and soloists to collaborate on something of a musical adventure, with pieces that will tell intriguing stories, explore magical worlds and stir the senses.
Isata Kanneh-Mason performs Clara Schumann
Includes: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, Clara WieckSchumann’s Piano Concerto performed by Isata Kanneh-Mason, and Sibelius’ Symphony No.3. Conducted by Anu Tali
Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky
Featuring: Dvořák’s Carnival Overture, Shostakovich’s last concerto – his Violin Concerto No.2, performed by Alena Baeva – as well as Tchaikovsky’s great Symphony No.5. Conducted by Gemma New.
Highlights include: Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Dvořák’s Symphony No.8, and much more.
We are especially delighted that pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason is joining us as our Artist-in-Residence this season.
Thu 22 Sep 2022, 7.30pm
Tue 25 Oct 2022, 7.30pm
Jennifer Pike plays Bruch
Featuring: Smetana’s Ma Vlast: Vltava (The Moldau), Bruch’s Violin Concerto performed by Jennifer Pike, and Dvořák’s Symphony No.8. Conducted by Chloé van Soeterstede.
Vaughan Williams and Ravel
The City of London Choir and RPO perform: Ravel’s Menuet Antique, Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music, Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, and Vaughan Williams’ Dona nobis pacem Conducted by Hilary Davan Wetton.
Magic and Mysticism
Featuring: Fauré’s Pelléas et Mélisande: Suite, Ibert’s Flute Concerto performed by RPO Principal Flute Emer McDonough, and Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op 61. Conducted by Alexander Shelley.
A Classical Christmas
An evening of orchestral Christmas delights awaits you, including Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty Suite, Waldteufel’s
The Skaters’ Waltz, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite… and many more seasonal favourites. Conducted by Shi-Yeon Sung.
Christmas Cracker
Featuring all your favourite sing-along carols, festive music and Christmas songs, such as Sleigh Ride, Let It Snow, Winter Wonderland, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, and more. With West End Vocalists vocalists
Anna-Jane Casey and Oliver Tompsett; conducted by Stephen Bell
Orchestral Valentines
A Valentine’s night to remember, with wellknown film themes from Gone With The Wind, Out Of Africa and Breakfast At Tiffany’s, and much-loved classics by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Massenet and more. Conducted by Paul Bateman and presented by Petroc Trelawny
Rachmaninov‘s Second Symphony
Featuring: Wagner’s Lohengrin: Prelude to Act I, Korngold’s cinematic Violin Concerto performed by Rosanne Philippens, and Rachmaninov’s achingly romantic Symphony No.2. Conducted by Jac van Steen.
Roderick Cox conducts Brahms
Isata Kanneh-Mason continues her residency with a performance of Prokofiev’s ingenious Piano Concerto No.3, before Roderick Cox takes the helm for Brahms’ rather brilliant Symphony No.1.
Elgar’s Enigma Variations
Featuring: Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Overture, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4 with HIPCC 2022 winner Shunta Morimoto, and Elgar’s timeless Enigma Variations. Conducted by Adam Hickox.
Mark Bebbington plays Delius
Tue
7.30pm Thu
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
Isata Kanneh-Mason performs Dohnányi’s Variations on a Nursery Song – a humorous riff on ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’, before Antony Hermus conducts Beethoven’s instantly recognisable Symphony No.5.
Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition
Includes: Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, performed here by cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan, and Mussorgsky’s (orch. Ravel) musical art tour Pictures at an Exhibition Conducted by Anna-Maria Helsing. Cadogan
Christmas Cracker & Orchestral Valentines – save up to 30%