Upcoming Highlights
Discover
Listen: Barbican Recommends
Not sure what to listen to? Every month we update our Barbican Recommends Spotify playlist with what we've been listening to in the office. Expect everything from Actress and Arcade Fire to Kamasi Washington and Omar Souleyman.
Collection: Classical Music
From world-class international orchestras and ensembles, top soloists and musicians to innovative young talents, discover exclusive content from our classical programme and creative learning projects with Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Resident orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
Resident orchestra
The LSO was established in 1904 and has a unique ethos and an inimitable signature sound. As the Barbican’s Resident Orchestra the LSO performs 70 concerts a year here in London and a further 70 worldwide on tour. Its pioneering music education programme LSO Discovery offers musical experiences to 60,000 people every year, and the orchestra works alongside its partners in the City’s cultural hub - the Barbican, Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Museum of London to bring about the future of great music in London.
Our associate orchestra
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Associate Orchestra at the Barbican and backbone of the BBC Proms, the BBC Symphony Orchestra is one of the UK’s finest. The BBC SO has a strong commitment to 20th-century and contemporary music and performs an annual season of concerts at the Barbican.
Associate ensembles
Academy of Ancient Music
The Academy of Ancient Music is an internationally renowned orchestra and choir, performing Baroque and Classical music in the style of the era, under the director of Richard Egarr. Creativity and spontaneity in performance is grounded in scholarship and a constant exploration of music in its broadest cultural context.
Britten Sinfonia
Britten Sinfonia is acclaimed for its virtuoso musicianship, an inspired approach to concert programming that makes bold, intelligent connections across 400 years of repertoire, and a versatility that is second to none. Unusually it does not have a principal conductor or director but chooses to collaborate with a range of the finest international guest artists from across the musical spectrum as suited to each particular project.
International associates
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is considered to be one of the best orchestras in the world. Founded in 1888, RCO Amsterdam is made up of 120 players hailing from over 20 countries. The Chief Conductor is Daniele Gatti.
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic plays a leading cultural role in New York City, the United States, and the world. The Orchestra’s performances are enriched by collaborations among today’s leading artists and institutions.
Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic, under the vibrant leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of music, through a commitment to foundational works and adventurous explorations.
Gewandhaus Orchestra
The earliest roots of the Gewandhausorchester can be traced as far back as 1479. The orchestra is named after the concert hall in which it is based, the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany.
Jazz at Lincoln Center
The mission of Jazz at Lincoln Center is to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy.
Associate producer
Serious
Serious create and produce jazz, world & contemporary music concerts, shows and tours, working with artists and musicians from the UK and internationally.
