Richard Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle tells a tale of gods, monsters and heroes set in a thrillingly imagined world of ancient myth.
But the story he’s really telling is startlingly modern – and the ravishing, all embracing power of Wagner’s music goes straight to your heart.
For millions, the German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (1925-2012) was one of the greatest singers of modern times. But for Artist in Residence Benjamin Appl he was a hero, a mentor, and – above all – a friend.
Crafted from Appl’s personal memories, and incorporating letters, readings and anecdotes from Fischer-Dieskau’s incredible career, this is a song recital with an extraordinary difference: an intensely personal tribute from a brilliant young singer to the artist who changed his life.
From down on the Docks to the Philharmonic Hall, music is the lifeblood of Liverpool – so much so that we’re officially a UNESCO City of Music.
Tonight, they’re shining a spotlight on the artists who were made on Merseyside, opening the Liverpool Songbook and celebrating the iconic tracks that helped put our city on the musical map.
With the spectacular Liverpool journalist, author and broadcaster Spencer Leigh as host, star singers from the West End and the full might of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra perform hits from The Coral, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, OMD, Cilla Black, Elvis Costello, Ken Dodd, The Spinners, a little-known band called The Beatles, and many more.
Hear the blazing fanfares that open Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony? For Tchaikovsky, they symbolised Fate, and the whole symphony simply bursts with melody and emotion.
If you’ve already heard Vasily Petrenko conduct Russian music, you won’t need telling twice: things are about to get exciting, in a concert that begins with the flying fiddles of Weinberg’s Moldavian Rhapsody and features the unforgettable tunes of Shostakovich’s irreverent Suite. Trust them, you’ll know them when you hear them!
Judgement Day: drums thunder, trumpets blast, and a massed chorus cries out in terror.
Verdi’s Requiem might not be what you expect from religious music. But it’s exactly what you’d expect from the grand master of Italian opera, and with the full Choir joined by four world-class soloists, hold on to your seats and prepare to be overwhelmed as Domingo Hindoyan ends our season of song by taking you to the end of the world – and back again.
Liverpool Philharmonic celebrate the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking Apollo Saxophone Quartet with two of the many wonderful pieces they have commissioned from UK composers through the years.
Clark Rundell returns to join in the celebrations and adds one of his favourite Steve Reich pieces, a jazz-infused work of virtuosity by Ukrainian Nikolai Kapustin, and replays a piece by talented North West composer Carmel Smickersgill.
The Seeger Sessions Revival – the 13-piece band ‘reviving’ the spirit, energy and musical exuberance that was Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions album and live shows.
This diverse group of talented musicians deliver a high energy two hour-long on-stage celebration with hits including ‘Old Dan Tucker’, ‘Jesse James’ and ‘American Land’ to name just a few.
Throughout the late 60s and early 70s, Laurel Canyon, hidden deep within California’s Hollywood hills, was a hub of musicianship and counterculture, and home to some of America’s most influential artists.
Expect a full band show and surprise guests throughout the night with the music of Neil Young, The Byrds, The Doors, Carole King, The Beach Boys and much more.
Baiana is the Brazilian-inspired project of Liverpool-born singer-songwriter Laura Doyle.
Refreshingly joyful and charismatic, the show will feature internationally acclaimed percussionist Snowboy (Lisa Stansfield, Imelda May, Amy Winehouse, Rod Temperton, Airto Morreira), who produced their stunning debut album with the trio from The Haggis Horns (John Legend, Mark Ronson, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse).
Welsh producer and multi-instrumentalist The Anchoress (aka Catherine Anne Davies) returns, fresh from appearing with Manic Street Preachers.
Her trademark literate baroque songwriting mixes epic melancholic guitar anthems with “swaggering synth-pop” (Uncut) and “shining alt-pop from the artisan of darkness” (Record Collector), and these new shows will see her preview music from her forthcoming studio album with a full live band.