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MAY
Highlights
Stockhausen’s Donnerstag aus Licht For the first time since 1985, Stockhausen’s monumental opera Donnerstag aus Licht (Thursday from Light) returns to the UK for just two performances in Royal Festival Hall. A great avant-garde innovator, Stockhausen spent decades rebuilding the basic elements of music, discovering new possibilities for traditional instruments and creating unheard worlds of electronic sound.
Philip Glass – The Bowie symphonies
Attend the European premiere of Philip Glass’ Symphony No.12, a tribute to the chameleon genius of pop mastermind David Bowie. It’s performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra, organist James McVinnie and singer Angelique Kidjo.
When he turned to opera, he spent 26 years developing his seven-part epic, the Licht cycle, which explored the story of mankind as a cosmic saga. Donnerstag is the fourth opera in the cycle and follows the story of Michael, an angel in human form, as he relives the composer’s childhood, learns music, grows up, falls in love, travels around the world and overcomes the forces of evil.
Actress x Stockhausen Sin {x} II
Witness the world premiere of the latest work from the contemporary electronic musician and his artificial intelligence project, Young Paint. This new composition for voice, AI and electronics is based on Stockhausen’s Welt-Parlament (1995) from his opera cycle Licht.
Dog Without Feathers by Deborah Colker Dance Company
Immerse yourself in this vision of Brazil conjured by an Olivier Award-winning choreographer. Combining classical, popular and ritual dances in a heady mix, the performance features poetry and spectacular film.
On the cover: Beverley Knight © Uli Weber Highlights page: Stockhausen’s Donnerstag aus Licht © Meng Phu. Philip Glass © Krause Johansen. Actress x Stockhausen Sin {x} II © Actress + Young Paint. Dog Without Feathers by Deborah Colker Dance Company © Cafi. James Ellroy © Lisa Stafford. Jack Dracula at a bar, New London, Conn. 1961 Courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Copyright © The Estate of Diane Arbus, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Kader Attia, Measure and Control, 2013. Series of 5 vitrines (detail). Vintage vitrine, stuffed animal (cheetah), African mask, framed vintage photograph. Courtesy: The artist and GALLERIA CONTINUA, San Gimignano / Beijing / Les Moulins / Habana. Photo: Ela Bialkowska.
Man Booker International Prize Readings 2019
The Man Booker International Prize is a byword for the finest fiction in translation. The night before the 2019 prize winner is unveiled, join this year’s shortlisted authors and translators for readings and discussion.
James Ellroy in Conversation
The ‘demon dog of American literature’ comes to London for the first time in five years to discuss latest book This Storm, a pulsepounding historical crime novel set in LA in the wake of Pearl Harbour.
diane arbus: in the beginning & Kader Attia: The Museum of Emotion It’s your last chance to catch the first solo show of Arbus’ work in the UK for 12 years, organised by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and Attia’s first UK survey exhibition.
Daily listings
Wednesday 1 Kader Attia: The Museum of Emotion
The first UK survey exhibition of Kader Attia’s poetic, urgent and political work. Sponsored by Qatar Museums, Doha. 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Hayward Gallery; Standard £14; Hayward Gallery Supporter £15.50**; includes entry to diane arbus: in the beginning
diane arbus: in the beginning An exhibition exploring the formative first half of the influential photographer’s career.
11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Hayward Gallery; Standard £14; Hayward Gallery Supporter £15.50**; includes entry to Kader Attia: The Museum of Emotion
Kit de Waal Presents the Common People Anthology
What does it mean to be working class in Britain today? Hear writers Kit de Waal, Katy Massey and Anita Sethi discuss.
Friday 3 Rug Rhymes
Tubular Bells for Two
10.30am; National Poetry Library Reading Den; Free
Two blokes juggle over 20 instruments live in a recreation of the classic album Tubular Bells. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25 – £27.50
Steve Williamson Trio & StringTing
Catch the legendary saxophonist as he performs with his trio and young jazz talents StringTing. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20
National Poetry Library Lates: May
Our new series of poetry salons continues with poets Kim Hyesoon and Don Mee Choi. 8pm; Dan Graham Waterloo Sunset Pavilion, Hayward Gallery; £10
Thursday 2 Kader Attia: The Museum of Emotion
11am – 9pm (last entry 8pm); see Wed 1 May for more details.
There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings or Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For all other bookings transaction fees apply: £3 online; £3.50 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets in the post, a £1 delivery charge applies. * Book free events at southbankcentre.co.uk ** Supporter tickets include a voluntary donation of 10% of the standard admission charge, to support Southbank Centre’s work. For more information and to find out about Gift Aid, see southbankcentre.co.uk.
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £45
A short session of nursery rhymes and poems for under-5s and their carers.
diane arbus: in the beginning
Art Performance & dance Classical music Literature Archive studio Gigs & contemporary music Talks & topics Eat & explore
The pianist is renowned for his refined musicianship, allied to a flawless technique. Bach Prelude from Prelude and Fugue in E flat, BWV.552 arr. Busoni; Chorale-prelude, Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland, BWV.659 arr. Busoni; Choraleprelude, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV.645 arr. Busoni for piano; Concerto in the Italian Style, BWV.971; Siciliano in G minor from Flute Sonata, BWV.1031 arr. Wilhelm Kempff; Fugue from Prelude and Fugue in E flat, BWV.552 arr. Busoni; Debussy Images, Set 2; Rachmaninov Sonata No.2 in B flat minor, Op.36 (vers. orig. 1913)
7.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £7
11am – 9pm (last entry 8pm); see Wed 1 May for more details.
Key
Francesco Piemontesi: Bach, Debussy & Rachmaninov
Kader Attia: The Museum of Emotion 11am; see Wed 1 May for more details.
diane arbus: in the beginning 11am; see Wed 1 May for more details.
Friday Tonic: Lunch Money
Can you take robot music, and play it live? Hear experimental dub from the London-based collective. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free;
London Philharmonic Orchestra: Alpine Journeys
Bruckner’s majestic Third Symphony creates a whole Alpine landscape in sound. Vladimir Jurowski conductor Janine Jansen violin Brahms Violin Concerto; Bruckner Symphony No.3
Saturday 4 Kader Attia: The Museum of Emotion 11am; see Wed 1 May for more details.
diane arbus: in the beginning 11am; see Wed 1 May for more details.
Rose McGowan: Brave
The actor and activist discusses her life and the realities of exposing the truth about injustice. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £25
Sunday 5 Kader Attia: The Museum of Emotion 11am; see Wed 1 May for more details.
diane arbus: in the beginning 11am; see Wed 1 May for more details.
Mēla Guitar Quartet
Hear effervescent classical guitar music from the quartet's new album, plus three world premieres. Saint-Saëns Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila arr. Daniel Bovey for guitar quartet; Phillip Houghton Opals; Stephen Goss New work (World premiere); Carmen Fantasy; Bryan Johanson Pluck, Strum and Hammer; Michael Finnissy New work (World premiere); Laura Snowden New work (World premiere); Egberto Gismonti Agua e Vinho; Sergio Assad Uarekena 7pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £20
Sergio Mendes + Very Special Guests
Be transported to Brazil by a legend of the bossa nova revolution of the 1960s. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £29.50
Monday 6 Kader Attia: The Museum of Emotion
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10 – £65
11am; see Wed 1 May for more details.
Absolute Bird: Sounds of the Outback
diane arbus: in the beginning
Hear the sounds of the Australian skies in a programme featuring a UK premiere by Hollis Taylor. City of London Sinfonia Jessica Cottis conductor Alexandra Wood director, violin Genevieve Lacey recorder Hollis Taylor Absolute Bird 1; Vivaldi Sopranino Recorder Concerto in C, RV.443; Louis Hardin alias 'Moondog' Birds of Paradise; Erkki-Sven Tüür Recorder Concerto; Rebel Les élémens; Hollis Taylor Absolute Bird 2; Concerto for recorder & chamber orchestra (UK premiere) 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £30
11am; see Wed 1 May for more details.
Tuesday 7 Robert Macfarlane: Underland
The author of The Lost Words takes us on a voyage into the Earth's underworlds with his new book. 7.15pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Philharmonia Orchestra: Cecilia McDowall & Vaughan Williams
Hear the Da Vinci Requiem by Cecilia McDowall created in honour of the of the artist's 500th death anniversary. Neil Ferris conductor Martin James Bartlett piano Kate Royal soprano Roderick Williams baritone Wimbledon Choral Society Vaughan Williams 5 Mystical Songs for baritone, chorus & orchestra; Ravel Piano Concerto in G; Cecilia McDowall Da Vinci Requiem (World premiere) 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10 – £40
Dog Without Feathers by Deborah Colker Dance Company
Immerse yourself in the vision of Brazil conjured by the Olivier Award-winning choreographer’s new work. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £30
Wednesday 8 The Dream of Gerontius
A meditation on life and death in Elgar’s most assured choral work. English Philharmonia Graham Wili conductor Kathleen Wilkinson mezzosoprano, Angel Andrew Kennedy tenor, Gerontius Keel Watson bass, Priest, Angel of Agony English Philharmonia Chorus Elgar The Dream of Gerontius 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £15 – £37.50
Dog Without Feathers by Deborah Colker Dance Company 7.30pm; see Tue 7 May for more details.
Kareem Roustom’s Shades of Night
Chilingirian Quartet presents the European premiere of Roustom's latest, plus Musgrave and Tchaikovsky. Thea Musgrave String Quartet; Kareem Roustom String Quartet (Shades of Night) (European premiere); Tchaikovsky String Quartet No.1 in D, Op.11 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £30
Bang Said the Gun
Like mud wrestling, only with words: the stand-up poetry night that's an antidote to dreary verse. 8pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £7
Thursday 9 Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Get a glimpse behind the scenes and see our famous spaces up close on this tour. 6pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10
Dog Without Feathers by Deborah Colker Dance Company 7.30pm; see Tue 7 May for more details.
Philip Glass – The Bowie symphonies
Attend the European premiere of Philip Glass’ Symphony No.12. London Contemporary Orchestra Hugh Brunt conductor Robert Ames conductor * James McVinnie organ * Angelique Kidjo vocals * Glass Symphony No.1 (Low); Symphony No.4 (Heroes); Symphony No.12 (Lodger) for orchestra & organ - from the music of David Bowie and Brian Eno * (European premiere) 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20 – £55
Barb Jungr: Bob, Brel & Me
The cabaret vocalist turns her reinvention skills to exploring her relationship with Dylan and Brel. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £19.50 – £30
Friday 10 Rug Rhymes 10.30am; see Fri 3 May for more details.
Making of the Organ at Royal Festival Hall Our 7,866-pipe organ reveals its mysteries in an in-depth workshop. 11am; Royal Festival Hall; £15
Friday Lunch: Nina Harries Hear the unexpected from the folk-punk double bassist and vocalist.
Southbank Sinfonia Mini Concerts: Set 3
A showcase for strings, the last concert of the evening features Philip Glass and Michael Gordon. Jan Bradley Chieba for trumpet & percussion; Michael Gordon Tree-oh for 3 violins; Glass String Quartet No.2 (Company); Purcell Fantasia in F for 5 instruments 'Upon one note', Z.745; Sufjan Stevens Run rabbit run Suite arr. Michael Atkinson for chamber orchestra 8.15pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £4
Saturday 11 Out-Spoken Poetry Masterclass: Anthony Anaxagorou
1pm; Central Bar, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
When is a poem finished? Find out at a workshop with the poet and founder of Out-Spoken.
Friday Tonic: duendita
1pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20
Hailing from Queens, New York, duendita unleashes her emotive voice with political intent. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Southbank Sinfonia Mini Concerts: Set 1
Janáček's appropriately named Youth is paired with the sprightly conclusion of Beethoven's Septet. Southbank Sinfonia Janáček Mladi (Youth); Beethoven Andante con moto all marcia – Presto from Septet in E flat, Op.20 6.15pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £4
Southbank Sinfonia Mini Concerts: Set 2
From Revueltas' Mexico to Hilary Tann's Wales: an exhilarating performance by young musicians. Southbank Sinfonia Revueltas Ocho por Radio; Hilary Tann The Walls of Morlais Castle for oboe, viola & cello; Françaix Larghetto tranquillo - Allegro (1st movement) from Dixtour 7.15pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £4
Philharmonia Orchestra: Carmina Burana
Hear the monumental harmony of 200 voices performing Carl Orff’s masterwork. Andrew Nethsingha conductor Federico Colli piano Louise Alder soprano Anthony Gregory tenor Nicholas Lester baritone London Philharmonic Choir City of Birmingham Choir Trinity Boys Choir Glinka Overture, Ruslan and Lyudmila; Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.2; Orff Carmina Burana 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £16.50 – £56
Dog Without Feathers by Deborah Colker Dance Company 7.30pm; see Tue 7 May for more details.
Architecture Tour
Monday 13 Dragon Babies – Gamelan for 3 – 5 year olds
Shake, rattle and gong with your little ones. 11am; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £5 (child and accompanying adults)
Gong Babies
Join this relaxing music workshop aimed at parents, carers and babies. 2pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £5 (baby and accompanying adults)
Tuesday 14 Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: Bach – Toutes Suites
Enjoy a balance of pleasures with the music of Bach. Margaret Faultless director Lisa Beznosiuk flute Bach Orchestral Suites: No.3 in D; No.1 in C; No.2 in B minor & No.4 in D
Join us on a tour exploring decades of architectural innovation at Southbank Centre.
7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £75
5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12
The world premiere of a new work for voice, AI and electronics on the transcendent nature of love.
Philharmonia Orchestra: Paavo Järvi & Viktoria Mullova
Actress x Stockhausen Sin (x) II
Discover one of the richest emotional experiences in classical music. Paavo Järvi conductor Viktoria Mullova violin Beethoven Overture, Egmont; Sibelius Violin Concerto; Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6 (Pathétique)
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20 – £25
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £12 – £58
Pipe Up Schools: Meet the Royal Festival Hall Organ
Patty Griffin + Erika Wennerstrom
The quintessentially American artist presents her latest album of intimate, incomparable songs. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25 – £35
Velshodegan
The trio of misfits subverting traditional Persian music with satirical streetwise lyrics. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £30
Sunday 12 Swaranjali: Finest Sounds of Indian Choir
Hear raga-based tarana, Vedic chants and popular Indian songs performed by two Indian choirs. 2.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £15
Lawrence Power & Pavel Kolesnikov
One of the world’s leading viola players performs emotive 19th-century chamber music by Brahms. Lawrence Power violin, viola Pavel Kolesnikov piano Brahms Violin Sonata No.2 in A, Op.100; Viola Sonata in F minor, Op.120 No.1; Violin Sonata No.1 in G, Op.78; Viola Sonata in E flat, Op.120 No.2; Violin Sonata No.3 in D minor, Op.10 3pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £45
Sweet Little Mystery
Feel the emotional power of Sarah Jane Morris’ magnificent soul voice interpreting John Martyn. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £20
Wednesday 15 Get up close and personal with the Royal Festival Hall organ in a hands-on workshop for students. 10.30am; Royal Festival Hall; £50 for a class of up to 32 pupils
Kate Cooper
A large-scale video installation exploring gender, technology and the body. 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free
May Moves Social Tea Dance
Show off your moves at our monthly tea dance, with classics including rhumba, tango and the waltz. 1.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: The Music of Eric Whitacre
Made in America: the compelling composer conducts a programme of works from the USA. City of London Choir Bernstein Overture, Candide; Whitacre October; Songs of immorality; Equus; Lux Aurumque (Light of Gold); Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine; Copland Quiet City; Whitacre Godzilla eats Las Vegas; Sleep 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10 – £50
Cédric Tiberghien: Mozart, Chopin & Schumann
Friday 17
Sunday 19
Cedric Tiberghien’s musical imagination and versatility has captivated audiences worldwide. Mozart Fantasia in C minor, K.475; Chopin Ballades: No.1 in G minor, Op.23; No.2 in F, Op.38; No.3 in A flat, Op.47; No.4 in F minor, Op.52; Bach Chromatic fantasia and fugue in D minor, BWV.903; Schumann Kreisleriana, Op.16
Rug Rhymes
Kate Cooper
10.30am; see Fri 3 May for more details.
11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
Kate Cooper
Southbank Sinfonia Family Concert
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £45
5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Michelle Gurevich
Minguet Quartet: Music Alchemy
Chanson with an edge: hear dark, intimate ballads from the singersongwriter with Russian roots. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Thursday 16 Kate Cooper 11am – 9pm (last entry 8pm); HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free
Philharmonia Chamber Players: Schubert & Mendelssohn
A treat for string quartet fans. Rebecca Chan violin Eugene Lee violin Richard Waters viola Ella Rundle cello Schubert String Quartet in C minor, D.703 (Quartettsatz); Mendelssohn String Quartet No.6 in F minor, Op.80 6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free
Philharmonia Orchestra: Jakub Hrůša – Schubert & Brahms
Immerse yourself in three great works of German Romanticism, conducted by Jakub Hrůša. Karen Gomyo violin Schubert Symphony No.8 (Unfinished); Mendelssohn Violin Concerto; Brahms Symphony No.3 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £12 – £58
Colour Series – Green
The BBC Concert Orchestra paint a musical portrait of the colour green. Bramwell Tovey conductor Jess Gillam saxophone Wagner Venusberg Music from Tannhäuser; Judith Weir Forest; Rossini Overture, Otello; Sibelius Spring Song - tone poem, Op.16; Michael Torke Green; Korngold The Adventures of Robin Hood Suite 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12 – £25
Out-Spoken: May
Poets Raymond Antrobus, Inua Ellams and Rebecca Tamás share their work in the first of a new series. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10
11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
Friday Tonic: Aerialists
The transatlantic quintet meld harmonic sensibilities with a deep love for folk traditions.
Evoking the art of chiaroscuro, Roberto David Rusconi’s Variazioni Tiepolo sees its world premiere. Ulrich Isfort violin Annette Reisinger violin Aroa Sorin viola Matthias Diener cello Haydn String Quartet in F, Op.77 No.2; Roberto David Rusconi Variazioni Tiepolo (World premiere); Beethoven String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op.131 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £30
Saturday 18 Kate Cooper 11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
Open Studio: LCO x Michael Price
Get an insight into how music is made at an open session with composer Michael Price and the London Contemporary Orchestra. 3pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £5
Architecture Tour 5.30pm; see Sat 11 May for more details.
London Contemporary Voices + Special Guests Seek order in chaos at a performance of popular hits and classical music by the pioneering choir. Eivør Paul Frith Deepa Nair Rasiya Rachel Sermanni Elena Tonra
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £25
Erased Tapes x LCO: Michael Price
Hear freshly created music in a performance by composer Michael Price and the London Contemporary Orchestra. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Step into our time machine and travel through musical history at an interactive family concert. Chloé van Soeterstede conductor Monteverdi Toccata from Orfeo ed Euridice; Beethoven Overture, Coriolan; Sally Beamish Reckless; and excerpts from: Handel Overture, Rinaldo; Mozart Symphony No.41 (Jupiter) & Wagner Siegfried Idyll. 11.30am; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £4 (child), £8 (adult)
Debasmita Bhattacharya: Music of India
Bhattacharya returns to London after her 2017 UK debut tour. Debasmita Bhattacharya sarod Ustad Shahbaz Hussain tabla Programme to be announced. 7pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £30
Monday 20 Dragon Babies – Gamelan for 3 – 5 year olds 11am; see Mon 13 May for more details.
Kate Cooper 11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
Man Booker International Prize Readings 2019
Join this year’s shortlisted authors and translators for an evening of readings and conversation. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12
Tuesday 21 London Sinfonietta: Stockhausen's Donnerstag aus Licht
See Stockhausen’s monumental opera for the first time since 1985. Royal Academy of Music Manson Ensemble Maxime Pascal conductor Henri Deléger Michael, trumpet Safir Behloul Michael, tenor Emmanuelle Grach Michael, dancer Iris Zerdoud Eve, basset horn Léa Trommenschlager Eve, soprano, (Act 1) Elise Chauvin Eve, soprano, (Act 3) Suzanne Meyer Eve, dancer Mathieu Adam Lucifer, trombone Damien Pass Lucifer, bass Jamil Attar Lucifer, dancer Alphonse Cemin piano Alice Caubit clarinet, (Act 2) Ghislain Roffat clarinet, basset horn, (Act 2) Simon Guidicelli Doctor, (Act 1) New London Chamber Choir Florent Derex sound projection Augustin Muller computer music design Yann Chapotel video design Christophe Naillet lighting design Stockhausen Donnerstag aus Licht (Thursday from Light) - opera in 3 acts, a greeting & a farewell 6.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £15 – £70
Wednesday 22 Soundpit for Schools
Inspire your pupils’ creativity in this mesmerising sensory experience, open to Reception through Year 6 classes and SEND school groups of all ages. 10.30am; Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £60 per class of up to 32 children; see southbankcentre.co.uk/schools for more details
Kate Cooper 11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
London Sinfonietta: Stockhausen's Donnerstag aus Licht 6.30pm; Royal Festival Hall: see Tue 21 May for details
Thursday 23 Soundpit for Schools 10.30am; see Wed 22 May for more details.
Kate Cooper 11am; see Thu 16 May for more details.
Beverley Knight in Concert with Live Orchestra
Come as you are for an evening of hits from the queen of UK soul, backed by a live orchestra. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £35.50 – £70
Friday 24 Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms
Can you predict the fountain’s next move? Guess wrong and you might get soaked. 10am – 9pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Rug Rhymes 10.30am; see Fri 3 May for more details.
Kate Cooper 11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
Christy Moore in Concert
Hear the Irish folk singer, songwriter and guitarist performing songs from throughout his career. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £35 – £42.50
Absolute Bird: Translating Nature
Monday 27
Look to the birds at a City of London Sinfonia concert featuring chamber works inspired by birdsong. City of London Sinfonia Sian Edwards conductor Alice Zawadzki vocalist Huw Watkins piano Alexander Wood violin John Luther Adams Morningfieldsong from Songbirdsongs; Delius On hearing the first cuckoo in spring; Respighi Il cucù (The Cuckoo) from Gli Uccelli (The Birds) Suite; Messiaen Le merle bleu (The blue rock thrush) from Catalogue d'oiseaux; Respighi La colomba (The dove) from Gli Uccelli (The Birds) Suite; John Luther Adams Woodthrush from Songbirdsongs; Respighi L'usignuolo (The nightingale) from Gli Uccelli (The Birds) Suite; Messiaen L'alouette calandrelle (The greater short-toed lark) from Catalogue d'oiseaux; John Luther Adams Meadowdance from Songbirdsongs; Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending
Dragon Babies – Gamelan for 3 – 5 year olds
8pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £30
Family Gamelan Taster Session
Saturday 25 Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms 10am – 9pm; see Fri 24 May for more details.
Family Gamelan Taster Session
Bring your family and friends to play our Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra. 11am & 2pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £10
Kate Cooper 11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
Christy Moore in Concert 7.30pm; see Fri 24 May for more details.
Sunday 26 Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms 10am – 9pm; see Fri 24 May for more details.
Kate Cooper 11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
Marcus Miller
Feel the force of the bass superstar's next-level jazz as he presents new album Laid Black. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £45
11am; see Mon 13 May for more details.
Kate Cooper 11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
Stick by Me
This ‘joyful and funny show’ (The Guardian) is about friendship, play, and the importance of treasuring little things, for ages 3 – 6. 11am & 1pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £14
Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms 12 noon – 9pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
James Ellroy in Conversation
The ‘demon dog of American literature’ on new novel This Storm and his life in writing. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £25
Tuesday 28 Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms 10am – 9pm; see Fri 24 May for more details.
11am; see Sat 25 May for more details.
Stick by Me 11am & 1pm; see Mon 27 May for more details.
Bart’s Choir: Verdi's Requiem Be awed by the powerful human drama of one of the great masterpieces of Western music. Philharmonia Orchestra Ivor Setterfield conductor Anna Patalong soprano Marta Fontanals-Simmons mezzo-soprano David Butt Philip tenor Ashley Riches baritone Bart’s Choir Verdi Requiem 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £17 – £35
Melanie De Biasio
Catch the jazz singer and multiinstrumentalist as she performs from her critically acclaimed album. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £25
Kieran Hodgson: '75
Uncover the tale of how Britain joined the EU on a comedy adventure through the 1970s. 8pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £18
Wednesday 29 Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms 10am – 9pm; see Fri 24 May for more details.
Dragon Babies – Gamelan for 3 – 5 year olds 11am; see Mon 13 May for more details.
Kate Cooper 11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
Friday 31
Family Gamelan Taster Session 3pm; see Sat 25 May for more details.
Gamelan Taster Workshop Get an introduction to the Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra. 6.30pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £10
Gluck: Bauci e Filemone / Orfeo
Experience a pair of Gluck’s oneact operas. Orchestra of The Mozartists Ian Page conductor John Wilkie director Rebecca Bottone soprano, Bauci, Amore Lena Belkina mezzo-soprano, Filemone, Orfeo Gwilym Bowen tenor, Giove Kiandra Howarth soprano, Euridice Choir of The Mozartists Classical Opera Gluck Bauci e Filemone from Le feste d'Apollo; Orfeo (vers. 1769) from Le feste d'Apollo 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22 – £60
Thursday 30 Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms 10am – 9pm; see Fri 24 May for more details.
Family Gamelan Taster Session
Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms 10am – 9pm; see Fri 24 May for more details.
Dragon Babies – Gamelan for 3 – 5 year olds 11am; see Mon 13 May for more details.
Kate Cooper 11am; see Wed 15 May for more details.
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: States of Independence
Rally around the definitive musical celebration of freedom and liberty. Vladimir Jurowski conductor Alina Ibragimova violin Elgar Serenade for strings; Strauss Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.8; Sibelius Symphony No.2 7pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10 – £60
Gluck: Bauci e Filemone / Orfeo 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; see Wed 29 May for more details.
Throughout the month Every 27 September
Uncover the history of Southbank Centre through archives from a single date across the decades.
11am; see Sat 25 May for more details.
Daily; 10am; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Kate Cooper
The Typographic Dante
11am; see Thu 16 May for more details.
ROSL Annual Music Competition Gold Medal Final
See tomorrow's top artists compete for the prestigious ROSL Gold Medal and £15,000 first prize. 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £20
Violet Nights: Cancel Culture In an age of problematic faves, what does it mean to cancel an artist? For ages 18 – 30.
7pm; Blue Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Jeanette Winterson: Frankissstein
Funny and furious, bold and clearsighted: the latest novel from the constantly evolving writer. 7.15pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Philharmonia Orchestra: Rouvali conducts Stravinsky
Finnish artists Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Pekka Kuusisto present music infused with rhythmic vigour. Santtu-Matias Rouvali conductor Pekka Kuusisto violin Adams The Chairman Dances (Foxtrot for orchestra); Stravinsky Violin Concerto; Petrushka (1947) 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £12 – £58
Melodic Objects: Music and Juggling
Music takes shape in gravitydefying movement in an adventurous performance. 9.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Journey to Paradise with artist Barrie Tullett in an exhibition responding to the Divine Comedy. Daily (closed Mondays); 11am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Soundpit
What if you could hear colour and feel sound? Come and play in giant sandpits, creating music and designs through movement. Throughout the month; see southbankcentre. co.uk for more details; Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £8
Gamelan School and Group Workshops – Summer 2019
Get a group together to have a go at playing the Javanese gamelan. Throughout the month; see southbankcentre. co.uk for more details; 2pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £195 for a group
Gamelan Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Courses
Whatever your level, join our Javanese gamelan adult evening classes. Various dates and times; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £100 per term or £270 for three terms in advance. See southbankcentre. co.uk/gamelan for more details.
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden © Pete Woodhead
Getting here Queen Elizabeth Hall & Purcell Room ter Wa
National Theatre
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By tube Waterloo (200 metres) Embankment (600 metres)
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Royal Festival Hall
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Hayward Gallery Be lve de re R
By train The nearest stations are: Waterloo Waterloo East Charing Cross Blackfriars
IMAX
By bus Route RV1 stops on Belvedere Road (less than a minute’s walk away) Routes 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 521, N1, N68, N171 and N343 stop on Waterloo Bridge (a two-minute walk away) Routes 76, 77, 211, 341, 381, 507, N381, N76 and RV1 stop on York Road (five minutes’ walk away)
Southbank Centre
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London Waterloo East
LondonSouthbank Centre occupies a 17-acre site in the midst of Eye London’s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Waterloo
Thames. This includes Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery. We also curate the outdoor spaces along the riverfront and around our venues.
Support Join our family of supporters and help us continue to present as many free activities as possible, making art available to all at southbankcentre.co.uk/support
While you’re here
Waterloo We believe art has the power to help create a better world for Station
You’ll never be short of eating and drinking options at Southbank Centre – we’ve got everything from cafes and sandwich shops to fine dining and bars. Browse our shops for designer concessions, unusual gifts, jewellery and homeware.
Today, millions of people gather at our events each year to enjoy culture from around the world, making us the UK’s seventh most popular visitor attraction. We put on over 3,000 concerts, gigs, exhibitions, shows and debates every year, half of them for free. We also work with thousands of children and young people.
Cafes, restaurants and bars You can grab a snack, sit down for a meal, or relax over a drink at a selection of venues across our site. Our new restaurant Spiritland offers unapologetic twists on classic favourites, in a theatrical interior. Concrete Cafe in Queen Elizabeth Hall offers a range of food for breakfast and lunch. Hayward Gallery Cafe is London’s hidden gem for quiet drinks with friends with spectacular views over Waterloo Bridge. For fine dining, head to Skylon and to Côte Brasserie and to Honest Burgers for drinks and meals with friends. For more information, see southbankcentre.co.uk/food
everyone. It was this belief that led to our creation in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain – a major exhibition and festival that gave the nation hope for a brighter future.
How to book tickets Online southbankcentre.co.uk* By phone 020 3879 9555* In person Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office *
There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings or Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For all other bookings transaction fees apply: £3 online; £3.50 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets in the post, a £1 delivery charge applies.
Venue hire Our central London location offers nine different spaces available for private hire. From world-class concert halls to intimate roof pavilions with riverside views, we can accommodate events for 20 to 2,500 people. Find out more by emailing events@southbankcentre.co.uk or calling 020 7921 0702
Access We offer BSL Interpretation, Speech-to-Text Transcription, Audio Description, Captioning, and Autism-Friendly Performances. To join our Access Scheme and book concessionary tickets, email accesslist@southbankcentre.co.uk or call 020 3879 9555. Level access is available to all our venues. For more access information please visit southbankcentre.co.uk/access
Shops Discover lifestyle products and design-led gifts in our shops on Mandela Walk, in Royal Festival Hall and in Hayward Gallery. Seen something here and didn’t pick it up? Shop online at shop. southbankcentre.co.uk. Books are available in our on-site branch of Foyles. Southbank Centre Food Market Discover central London’s riverside foodie destination, as our traders return with delicious street food for every appetite. Friday, 12 noon – 8pm Saturday, 11am – 8pm Sunday, 12 noon – 6pm Bank Holiday Mondays, 12 noon – 6pm
Membership Become a Member and be first in line for tickets to over 3,000 events. Join now at southbankcentre.co.uk/membership
Listings correct at time of going to press. Southbank Centre is a registered charity no. 298909
To receive publications in alternative formats, and for further information, email accesslist@southbankcentre. co.uk or phone 020 3879 9555
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