Music in South Kensington

An intimate Late Night Jazz series presents sensational music in the sultry setting of the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room. Various nights

Enjoy an unmissable evening of contemporary music in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall. The programme features two electronic concert pieces from British composer Daphne Oram, as well as an electroacoustic work from RCM composition professor Michael Oliva.

This spring Royal College of Music's annual keyboard festival explores the life and music of Clara Schumann and the extraordinary circle of composers and musicians she moved in. They will tell the stories of her friendships with Chopin, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Liszt, among others, as well as her passionate relationship with Robert Schumann.

Join the Royal College of Music for a rousing concert of orchestral works with RCM Junior Department musicians, including pieces for wind, saxophone and brass ensembles.

Hear a full line up of contemporary works from celebrated RCM alumnae Helen Grime and Charlotte Bray, and RCM composer Zoë Darbyshire. We're also thrilled to welcome back alumna Anna Meredith, recently ranked number 31 in BBC Radio 4's Top Power Women.

Experience the full orchestral sound of the RCM Philharmonic as they perform three symphonic masterpieces from Czech composers Janáček, Dvořák and Smetana. The programme begins with Dvořak's darkly dramatic tone poem, The Noon Witch, followed by Smetana's Vltava.

The young musicians of the RCM Junior Department come together for an enjoyable concert of choral works at Holy Trinity Church on Prince Consort Road.

The RCM Wind Ensemble performs the instantly recognisable overture from The Magic Flute, which Mozart composed after completing the rest of the opera. Mozart's popular Serenade no 12 also features, better known as the composer’s 'Nachtmusik' and transcribed for string quintet five years after its premiere.

Ensembles from across the RCM Junior Department perform a delightful programme of chamber music including music for piano trio, string quartet and wind quintet.

This showcases talented ensembles from the RCM Brass Faculty, with performances from the Trombone Choir, Horn Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble and Tuba Ensemble. The programme opens with JS Bach’s transcription of Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto, arranged for brass by Visiting Professor of Trumpet Matthias Höfs.

Enjoy an evening of art, music and history as we celebrate the eminent German artist Milein Cosman. The specially curated programme includes works by some of the renowned musicians Milein sketched, alongside a fascinating recording talking about her life and creative process.

Dr Angela Slater showcases her fascinating concert series with an afternoon dedicated to the inspirational work of female composers, performed by RCM musicians. The programme features pieces by Welsh prodigy Morfydd Owen, Nemmers Prize Winner Jennifer Higdon and RCM alumna Elizabeth Maconchy.

The fantastic Fidelio Trio open this lunchtime concert with Gerald Barry’s exuberant piano quartet. Ravel’s much-loved piano trio follows – spirited yet tender with playful Basque rhythms and dressed in Ravel’s rich harmonies. Both works combine near orchestral scope with the intimacy of chamber music.

Berio's song cycle comprises highly varied arrangements of folk melodies from different countries and cultures. The song cycle forms a musical tribute to American mezzo soprano Cathy Berberian. Listen carefully to hear diverse creative influences from America, Armenia and Sardinia.

This spring let a sparkling cast of RCM singers take you on a tuneful treasure hunt filled with swashbuckling sea songs and maritime melodies, as the RCM Opera Studio marks the 200th birthday of Jacques Offenbach with a performance of his immensely fun operetta, Robinson Crusoe.

The Royal College of Music Junior Department Symphony Orchestra is joined by the winner of the 2018 Peter Morrison Concerto Competition for a concert of thrilling orchestral works.

We welcome internationally acclaimed saxophonist Anna Wytko, a Yamaha Performing Artist-Clinician and Associate Professor of Saxophone at Kansas State University, for a lunchtime recital.

As one of the leading singers and dramatic interpreters of his generation, Grammy award winning bass baritone Gerald Finley CBE performs regularly for the world's major opera houses. This spring the Royal College of Music alumnus returns to the Britten Theatre to direct a special vocal masterclass.

Ages 4+. As part of the popular Chamber Music Festival, join the Royal College of Music as a family and hear fascinating stories from the RCM Museum brought to life by top RCM chamber musicians.

Ages 4+. Join Royal College of Music Sparks for family-friendly workshops exploring all things piano and enjoy a range of activities including virtuoso live performances and the chance to test your skills on an oversized floor keyboard.

Over 1,000 young instrumentalists and singers will unite for this captivating evening of creative performance at the Royal Albert Hall! This marks the culmination of an exciting two-year project by the Royal college of Music in partnership with the Tri-borough Music Hub and Royal Albert Hall.

Ages 7–11. Trailblazing female composers and musicians are the inspiration of this session, which uses role play and music making to explore topics such as identity and mindfulness. Led by Royal College of Music chamber musicians and a professional workshop leader.

Ages 13–16. Do you want to be the next John Williams? Create unique musical scores to especially adapted clips of Lord of the Rings and The Incredibles in a course led by a professional film composer and a team of Royal College of Music musicians. The final films will be premiered at a screening at the RCM.

In two different cities, in two different places, one story is told. Otis and Eunice are in love. On a bright summer's morning the carnival comes to town and through the colour and the excitement, Eunice goes missing... A multi-location theatrical performance.

From the sassy and satirical to the solemn and spiritual, let our the Royal College of Music conductors take you on a whirlwind tour of the French Baroque. This varied evening programme features everything from dances and airs to cantatas and motets.

Enjoy a showcase of exceptional talent from Royal College of Music Junior Department musicians. Bringing busy RCMJD term to a close, we hear a variety of performances from our outstanding young musicians, including music for chamber ensembles, choirs and the RCMJD Chamber Orchestra.

Austrian violinist and conductor Thomas Zehetmair skilfully directs the RCM Symphony Orchestra in this varied evening concert. Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante opens the programme, treating us to rich textures, delectable harmonies and dazzling solo writing.

Hear selected works from one of the Royal College of Music’s greatest treasures – the Anne Boleyn Music Book – a manuscript that almost certainly once belonged to the Tudor queen. The original manuscript will be on display along with copies of the recently published facsimile edition.

Join the Royal College of Music on Valentine’s Day for a special recital of songs and duets. Talented RCM singers perform romantic songs from Russia, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Britain.

Enjoy a varied musical programme inspired by objects and stories from the collections housed in the RCM Museum, and featuring performances on a variety of instruments. This is a relaxed performance and is open to people with autism, sensory and communication impairments and learning disabilities.

The works by two giants of the chamber music repertoire, performed by the critically-acclaimed Artha String Quartet. The Quartet opens with music by Beethoven, written as the composer approached 30 at the very end of the 18th century, before being joined by Tamaki Sugimoto for Schubert’s intensely beautiful quintet.

The Sacconi Quartet present the only surviving complete string quartet by Edvard Grieg, alongside Mozart's String Quintet no 4. While the quintet is one of the Austrian composer's darkest and most melancholy works, the ending brings an unexpected warmth and joviality.

Grammy Award-winning Harlem Quartet brings the Chamber Festival to a thrilling close with a vibrant and diverse programme of classical and jazz works from all over the world.

Celebrate the Year of the Pig as we welcome in the Chinese New Year with a special concert of traditional and western repertoire curated by RCM musicians.

Talented percussionists from the RCM join with reputable percussionist She-e Wu to perform a world premiere. She-e Wu is both a formidable composer and performer. Here, she performs alongside young musicians in Blue Identity.

The RCM Big Band is joined by versatile clarinettist Giacomo Smith for a swinging, soulful celebration of New Orleans music. Take an unforgettable jazz journey through the city’s eclectic fusion of signature sounds, guided by big band favourite Guy Barker.

Leighton House Museum is delighted to present the Salomé Quartet, their first ever Musicians in Resident. Join them for their debut concert in the house, performing Grieg String Quartet no.1, Mozart 'Spring' Quartet No.14 K387 G major and Haydn op.33 no.3 'Bird' Quartet

The Gipsy Kings, France’s most successful group of all time, will return to the Royal Albert Hall in 2019. They first captured the world’s imagination in 1987 with a self-titled album that became a genuine phenomenon, certified gold and platinum around the globe. Throughout their hugely successful career they’ve introduced millions of listeners to a unique, irresistible blend of traditional flamenco styles with Western pop and Latin rhythms through globally-popular singles such as Bamboléo and Volare.

Mercury Prize-nominated Portico Quartet take to the stage for the world premiere of a brand-new audiovisual concert to celebrate their latest major exhibition, The Sun: Living with Our Star. This event includes DJ support and complimentary admission to the exhibition.

Enjoy great food, drink and free live music in the Hall’s Verdi – Italian Kitchen the perfect place to wind down, laugh and eat well with friends and family over a bottle of great Italian wine. These concerts take place at lunchtime and dinner - booking in advance is recommended.

Love Classical returns to with an eclectic selection of some of the most distinct and original voices in classical music today. There will be a range of events taking place beyond the main stage, featuring everything from classical music for kids to late night performances in the Elgar Room.

The world of Gustav Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn Lieder as seen through the eyes and ears of pianist Roger Vignoles. Staged in the beautiful Britten Theatre, this performance ends a weekend workshop with a group of the RCM’s finest lieder singers.

The RCM Chamber Choir and Baroque Orchestra come together under the baton of Chair and Head of Historical Performance Ashley Solomon to perform popular Baroque works. Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch! was composed for Advent in 1716, whilst You shall weep and wail was written for Jubilate Sunday in 1725.

Our Essential Haydn series continues with another string masterpiece from the composer, complemented by Arvo Pärt’s moving dedication to Russian violinist Oleg Kagan. In this fascinating work for violin, cello and piano, Pärt expands upon Mozart’s Adagio from his Piano Sonata in F major, heightening the dissonance and complexity of the original to create something altogether more sorrowful.

An intriguing concert curated by Gabriella Jones, this year's Royal College of Music Constant & Kit Lambert Junior Fellow. Gabriella Jones' unique concert recreates an historical programme based on material found in the RCM collections.

Polly Graham has directed award-winning productions for Welsh National Opera and was also revival director for Pountney's production of Usher House at San Francisco Opera. This spring the Royal College of Music are thrilled to welcome Polly to direct our first opera scenes of 2019.

RCM musicians take to the Britten Theatre stage under the direction of William Relton for the final set of this season's Opera Scenes. Singers from the RCM Opera Studio regularly go on to take leading roles in the world's greatest opera houses, so don’t miss the opportunity to spot the stars of the future!

Join the Royal College of Music for an exciting programme of contemporary music written and performed by students from the RCM Junior Department. Don't miss this opportunity to see the talented young musicians of the RCM Junior Department presenting their work.

Venezuelan conductor Rafael Payare returns to the Royal College of Music this spring to direct a thrilling evening of symphonic poetry. Rafael Payare is a graduate of the world-famous El Sistema music programme and Chief Conductor of the Ulster Orchestra. It will be a rousing performance of Skryabin’s 'Poem of Ecstasy'.

Award-winning conductor Holly Mathieson returns to the Royal College of Music to direct an evening of late-Romantic music, featuring Cecile Chaminade's much loved rhapsodic work for solo flute, performed by RCM Concerto Competition winner Sirius Chau. Also on the programme is Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no 5.

Join the Royal College of Music for an exploration of British music for saxophones. Jonathan Dove begins this evening of contemporary music with Tuning In, a fascinating work in which the four saxophones skilfully mimic the highs and lows of a typical conversation through paced silences and beautiful dialogue.

The Royal College of Music's bite-sized Bach series continues this spring with a 30-minute programme of fantasias performed on our new organ. The RCM organ is in recognition of James Zheng Huang HonRCM.

The Royal College of Music's bite-sized Bach series continues with a 30-minute programme of Fantasias performed on our new organ. The RCM organ is in recognition of James Zheng Huang HonRCM.

In this varied concert, musicians from the Artist Diploma in Performance programme at the Royal College of Music showcase their honed skills with a range of impressive solo performances. The Artist Diploma in Performance is designed for talented students who wish to work intensively on solo performance.