What's On — All events

Alfred Brendel Talk: The Light and Shade of Interpretation
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Mon 7 Jun 7:30pm Town Hall

Alfred Brendel retired from the concert platform in 2008. Now he returns as a speaker, discussing the ideas and inspiration that, for nearly fifty years, have made him one of the world’s leading pianists. There will be a chance to savour the old Brendel magic when he illustrates his thoughts at the piano. BBC Music magazine’s Editor Oliver Condy explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert: _“Alfred Brendel may have retired from public piano performance, but that hasn’t stopped one of the most entertaining, intelligent and thoughtful musicians from sharing his views on music. Brendel has as much a gift for communicating verbally as he does musically.”_
An Evening With Joanna Trollope
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Tue 8 Jun 7:30pm Town Hall

More details to follow.
Centre Stage - Innovation Chamber Ensemble
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Fri 11 Jun 1:10pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

*Bruckner (arr. Erwin Stein)* Symphony No 7
*Innovation Chamber Ensemble*
*Bruckner (arr. Erwin Stein)* Symphony No 7
CBSO Lohengrin
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Sat 12 Jun 4:30pm Symphony Hall

A maiden in distress, a black-hearted count, a wicked sorceress and a mysterious knight in shining armour... no question, Wagner’s _Lohengrin_ is the ultimate Romantic opera. But it’s not just a stirring tale of chivalry and romance in medieval Europe. _Lohengrin_ is Wagner at his accessible best, filled with music of flamboyant colour and profound beauty. Just weeks before Andris Nelsons makes his hotly-awaited debut at Wagner’s own theatre in Bayreuth, Birmingham gets a one-off preview. With an all-star cast, the full CBSO and CBSC, and a conductor who loves Wagner above all other composers, this extraordinary evening will be one of the most talked-about concerts in Birmingham this year. Be sure to book early! Sung in German with English surtitles. This performance will include a 20-minute interval after Act 1 and a 90-minute dinner interval* (7.30-9pm) after Act 2. The performance finishes c10.15pm. *Dinner is not included in ticket price. Visit the "CBSO website":http://www.cbso.co.uk
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andris Nelsons* conductor *Edith Haller* Elsa *Lioba Braun* Ortrud *Lance Ryan* Lohengrin *Eike Wilm Schulte* Telramund *Gidon Saks* King *CBSO Chorus* *CBSO Youth Chorus*
*Wagner* Lohengrin 225'
Kenny Rogers
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Sun 13 Jun 7:30pm Symphony Hall

For five decades, Kenny Rogers has delivered memorable songs spanning rock, pop, soul and country. Hits including _Lady, The Gambler, Islands in the Stream, We’ve Got Tonight_, and _Buy Me A Rose_ have won him countless awards and legions of fans. Come and hear a legend in person.
Lunchtime Organ Concert Thomas Trotter Summer Request Concert
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Mon 14 Jun 1:00pm Town Hall

This is your chance to request favourite items that you have enjoyed Thomas playing earlier in the season. Send your selections to: Emily Jones, Organ Requests, Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA by 3 May 2010.
CBSO Bruckner's Romantic
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Wed 16 Jun 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Inspired by the same idea of courtly romance as Wagner’s _Lohengrin_, Bruckner’s glorious Fourth is one of the finest of all Austrian symphonies, its evocative horncalls and soaring melodies perfectly suited to Symphony Hall’s cathedral-like acoustics. Henri Dutilleux also summons up ‘a whole distant world’ in his much-played cello concerto, composed for the great Rostropovich and played tonight by one of his greatest successors. It’s a gloriously vivid programme for the CBSO debut of Solihull-born conductor Jonathan Nott, who has established an enviable international reputation both in new music and in the Austro-German classics. Visit the "CBSO website":http://www.cbso.co.uk
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Jonathon Nott* _conductor_ *Truls Mørk* _cello_ Jean-Guihen Queyras replaces Truls Mork who has had to withdraw from this concert due to illness
*Dutilleux* _Tout un monde lointain..._ 24' *Bruckner* Symphony No 4 (Romantic) 64'
Latin Fever
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Fri 18 Jun 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Following a sell-out season in 2009, Latin Fever returns for a UK tour. The dazzling partnership of Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova from the BBC’s _Strictly Come Dancing_ will be joined by four leading Latin American dancing duos for their breathtaking voyage, which takes them from the streets of Brazil to the bullrings of Spain by way of a vibrant mix of dance styles including the rumba, the cha-cha-cha and of course the tango. A sensational live Latin band perform much-loved songs including the sultry _Fever_, the sizzling _Besame Mucho_, and the hip-wiggling _Livin’ La Vida Loca_. "Watch a video clip of Latin Fever":http://www.raymondgubbay.co.uk/globalStore/video/v-2222010123155.wmv
_Performed & choreographed by_ *Darren Bennett* and *Lilia Kopylova* From the BBC’s _Strictly Come Dancing_
Suzanne Vega Plus Support
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Sat 19 Jun 7:30pm Town Hall

Pioneering American singer/songwriter, Suzanne Vega returns to Town Hall following last year's superb concert. Songs such as _Marlene on the Wall_, _Luka_ and the hugely successful album _Solitude Standing_ have brought her gentle yet powerfully political acoustic pop to a global audience. She has inspired a generation of musicians - Beth Orton and Alanis Morrisette spring to mind - and tonight is another chance to hear those beautiful songs and Suzanne's hauntingly fragile vocals. 2010 sees the release of her all new acoustic studio recordings, _Suzanne Vega, Close-Up Vol.1: Love Songs_, in which she reinterprets her best-loved songs in imaginative and intimate renderings.
Superfreakonomics Live! with Stephen J.Dubner
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Sun 20 Jun 7:30pm Town Hall

Author Stephen J. Dubner brings Freakonomics to the stage in a bold, funny and entertaining evening. With super-smart thinking and great storytelling this evening challenges the way we think, explores how people respond to incentives and shows the world for what it really is... superfreaky. _Freakonomics_ was a worldwide sensation, selling in its millions. The _freakquel_ _Superfreakonomics_ has met with similar world-wide attention and praise: '_A humdinger of a book: page-turning, politically incorrect and ever-so-slightly intoxicating, like a large swig of tequila_' The Times '_Great fun_' Sunday Times '_Thrilling_' Financial Times

Please note there is no interval
Paco Pena: Flamenco Sin Fronteras
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Wed 23 Jun 7:30pm Town Hall

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Rachmaninoff Vespers Summer Vespers by Candlelight
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Wed 23 Jun 9:00pm Book through our ticket office for The Oratory

Please visit www.excathedra.co.uk for more information Please call the Box Office on 0121 780 3333 if you would like to book for the Summer Supper, £15 per person subject to availability
Ex Cathedra Choir Conductor - Jeffrey Skidmore
CBSO Beethoven's Pastoral
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Thu 24 Jun 7:30pm Symphony Hall

It’s summer - so it must be Beethoven’s _Pastoral_ Symphony. From its dewy-fresh opening to the serene _Shepherd’s Hymn_ with which it closes, no composer has ever captured the healing power of nature more timelessly. Two centuries on, it’s still a candidate for the most relaxing piece of music ever written. Guest conductor Ludovic Morlot brings a uniquely Gallic lightness of touch to Beethoven’s inspiration - and plenty of colour for Bartók’s folk-flavoured miniatures. They’ll stand him in good stead for the amazing sound-world of Ligeti’s Violin Concerto. French virtuoso Renaud Capuçon brings all his skill to bear on the ravishing colours, child-like humour and crackling energy of this true modern classic. Pre-concert talk, 6.15pm: *Ligeti's Violin Concerto* Writer and Broadcaster Anthony Burton on this 20th century masterpiece.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Ludovic Morlot* _conductor_ *Renaud Capuçon* _violin_
*Bartók* Two Pictures 17' *Ligeti* Violin Concerto 28' *Beethoven* Symphony No 6 (_Pastoral_) 40'
CBSO Schools Concert: Tales of the Arabian Nights
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Fri 25 Jun 11:30am Symphony Hall

Rimsky-Korsakov’s most popular work is the music for today’s Schools Concert, specially devised for Key Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) students. Based around the ancient tales of the Arabian Nights, the colourful sounds of the full symphony orchestra will transport young imaginations to far-off lands. We conjure up the world of a skilful storyteller - the clever and beautiful Sultana Scheherazade - for adventures at sea with Sinbad the sailor, festivals in Baghdad, and young Princes and Princesses falling in love. Visit the "CBSO website":http://www.cbso.co.uk
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra*
CBSO Schools Concert: Tales of the Arabian Nights
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Fri 25 Jun 1:30pm Symphony Hall

Rimsky-Korsakov’s most popular work is the music for today’s Schools Concert, specially devised for Key Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) students. Based around the ancient tales of the Arabian Nights, the colourful sounds of the full symphony orchestra will transport young imaginations to far-off lands. We conjure up the world of a skilful storyteller - the clever and beautiful Sultana Scheherazade - for adventures at sea with Sinbad the sailor, festivals in Baghdad, and young Princes and Princesses falling in love. Visit the "CBSO website":http://www.cbso.co.uk
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra*
Centre Stage - El Ultimo Tango
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Sat 26 Jun 7:30pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

"Bell arte del Tango"
*El Ultimo Tango*
"Bell arte del Tango"
Glenn Miller Orchestra
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Sat 26 Jun 7:30pm Symphony Hall

The UK's most renowned big band pays tribute to the 65th Anniversary of VE Day in this nostalgic journey back to the forties. Legendary bandleader Ray McVay swings in to Birmingham with chart topping war time hits including _You Made Me Love you_, _Stairway To The Stars_, _Moonlight Becomes You_, _In The Mood_, _Tuxedo Junction_, _Pennsylvania 65000_, _St. Louis Blues March_, plus a special medley tribute to forces sweetheart - Vera Lynn. For this special summertime performance The Glenn Miller Orchestra are joined on stage by Jan Messeder, Colin Anthony, The Uptown Hall Gang, The Moonlight Serenaders and very special guest Dennis Lotis remembering the magnificent Ted Heath Band with classics _Get Happy_, _Mack the Knife_ and _Georgia_. The orchestra will perform the second half of the concert in the World War II uniforms of the US Army Air Force.
*Glenn Miller Orchestra* Plus special Guests: *Jan Messeder* *Colin Anthony* *The Uptown Hall Gang* *The Moonlight Serenaders*
Notelets notelets on safari
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Sun 27 Jun 2:00pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

A mini concert for 3-5 year olds and their families. Lions, tigers, bears, crocodiles, monkeys and snakes... we’ll meet them all!
CBSO Friday Night Classics: Rodgers & Hammerstein
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Fri 2 Jul 7:30pm Symphony Hall

July is bustin’ out all over - so celebrate the summer with the supreme masters of the Broadway Musical. Everyone knows the sound of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s music, and all your favourite melodies are here - sung by two modern legends of musical theatre. From _Climb Ev’ry Mountain_, _Oh What a Beautiful Morning_ and _You’ll Never Walk Alone_ to _Some Enchanted Evening_ and _The Lonely Goatherd_, one thing’s for sure, John Wilson and the CBSO will send you home whistling a merry tune! Pre-concert event 6.15pm: CBSO Boys' Choir gives a free performance in the hall. Visit the "CBSO website":http://www.cbso.co.uk
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *John Wilson* coductor *Kim Criswell* vocalists *Brent Barrett* vocalist
Including music from: Carousel South Pacific The King and I The Sound of Music Oklahoma! State Fair Flower Drum Song Pipe Dream Cinderella and more!
Zimbe! Come Sing The Songs Of Africa!
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Fri 2 Jul 7:30pm Town Hall

Zimbe! is an uplifting celebration of African music scored for SATB choir, children’s choir and jazz quintet. It has infectious accompaniments and vibrant percussion to take you on a whirlwind tour of life in an African village.
*Peter Allwood* _Conductor_ *Cathy Lamb* _Director of Children’s Choir_ *Alexander L’Estrange* _Composer & Pianist_ *Upendo Tanzanian Choir* *The Palace Singers* *Lichfield Cathedral Girls Choir* *Lichfield Cathedral School Junior Choir* *Great Barr School Choir* *St Chad’s School Choir* *Great Barr Primary School*
*Act 1* Mixed Upendo & Children’s choir performance *Act 2* _Zimbe!_