1 Philip Glass At 80
Two days of concerts, films and talks devoted to one of the founding fathers of minimalism. The BBC’s Total Immersion day features the BBC Singers and BBC Symphony Orchestra; the following evening there’s the UK premiere of Godfrey Reggio’s Visitors, with Glass’s score played live by the BBC SO.
Barbican Centre and Milton Court, EC2, Saturday 28 Jan and Sunday 29 Jan
2 Hansel And Gretel
Opera North’s fairytale season continues with a new production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s perennial favourite. Edward Dick directs and Christoph Altstaedt conducts a cast featuring Katie Bray and Fflur Wyn in the title roles.
Leeds Grand Theatre, Thursday 2 Feb to Saturday 25 Mar
3 Britten Sinfonia
Harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani takes charge of a Spanish-flavoured programme. As well as contributing a group of Scarlatti sonatas, he directs a performance of Manuel de Falla’s El Amor Brujo, and he’s the soloist in two harpsichord concertos: De Falla’s modernist classic and a brand new one by Francisco Coll.
Milton Court, EC2, Friday 3 Feb
4 Versuch Uber Die Fuge
The UK premiere of Jörg Widmann’s setting of the Vulgate for soprano, oboe and chamber orchestra provides the centrepiece of Karina Canellakis’s programme with the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
The Sage Gateshead, Friday 3 Feb
5 The White Road
With Peter Oundjian conducting, the RSNO’s principal flautist, Katherine Bryan, introduces the concerto Martin Suckling has composed for her.
Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Friday 3 Feb
