The BBC SO and BBC Chorus rediscover the tenderness and wonder of Berlioz’s magical Christmas cantata, L’enfance du Christ.
In 1850 the bad boy of French music pulled off a musical hoax – but it wasn’t what you’d expect, and what critics thought was a rediscovered baroque choral work was actually a Christmas celebration like no other by Hector Berlioz. L’enfance du Christ touches the heart on its own, gentle terms: one of the most original and enchanting of 19th century choral masterpieces.
The joke was that Berlioz was (and is) usually regarded as a maverick; an extrovert. But in L’enfance du Christ he speaks from the soul, and this radiant retelling of the Nativity and its aftermath positively glows with tenderness and melody. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus retell this timeless tale today: a truly magical Christmas treat, performed by a conductor who loves it.
Sir Andrew Davis (1944-2024) was due to have conducted this concert. Everyone at the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus has been deeply saddened by the news of his death.
This performance will end at approximately 9.30pm
Produced by the BBC Symphony Orchestra
Programme
Performers
Ticket prices
Save with the BBC Symphony Orchestra Sep 24–Jan 25 Multibuy.
£10
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Subject to availability
50% off tickets for under-18s.
Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may now be booked online.
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.
Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the click the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.
Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket.
Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats: Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.
20% discount for groups of 10+. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.
Subject to availability
Booking fees
£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
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Hall
Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users in row U at the rear of the stalls (up to sixteen, depth of row 180cm) and the back row of the circle (four), both with fold-down companion seats. Some seats in row S of the stalls for people with very limited mobility.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the concert hall where there are a limited number of suitable seats in row G of the stalls. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
There is an induction loop in the concert hall. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.
Free large-print programmes
These are available for most of our concerts. Please contact [email protected] at least a week beforehand, to prebook a large-print programmme.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
