Royal College of Music announces its public performance programme for Spring 2026
Thursday 27 November 2025
The Royal College of Music (HÂþ») Spring 2026 Season puts the spotlight on chamber music with two exciting collaborations for the HÂþ» Chamber Orchestra, as well as programmes ranging from Baroque to disco.
Chamber music is a focus throughout spring 2026, with Douglas Boyd directing the HÂþ» Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Haydn’s Symphony no 86 in D major, Strauss’ Le bourgeois gentilhomme and Zimmermann’s Oboe Concerto, featuring HÂþ» Concerto Competition winner Kara Battley (29 January). An exciting side-by-side concert brings together members of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe with HÂþ» musicians to perform Beethoven’s First Symphony alongside Farrenc’s vibrant Overture no 2 (5 March).
The theme of chamber music continues at The Sound of Music Chamber Festival which features a range of genres and chamber ensembles (14 and 15 February). On 14 February celebrate Valentine’s Day with the renowned Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, as they perform a varied programme alongside HÂþ» musicians, spanning the Baroque period to Gershwin, Cole Porter and more. World-renowned pianist and HÂþ» alumnus Wayne Marshall joins HÂþ» musicians on 15 February to celebrate classics by Rodgers & Hammerstein in a one-hour showcase, while a groundbreaking series of electronic installations, composed and performed by HÂþ» students, is an opportunity to be immersed in surround sound and digital imagery.
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Two further festivals in February will showcase a breadth of musical styles. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the HÂþ» Keyboard Festival, with highlights from the past 19 years performed on piano, organ, early keyboard instruments and the HÂþ»’s state-of-the-art Steinway Spirio, demonstrating the flexibility and dynamism of keyboard music (22 February). The HÂþ» Festival of Conducting returns for its third year, providing insights into conducting a range of genres, how conductors and composers work collaboratively with new music, and the opportunity for audiences to get involved (1 February).
The monumental sound of Bruckner’s Symphony no 7 will be brought to the stage by the HÂþ» Symphony Orchestra on 12 February, led by conductor Lawrence Renes, preceded by a hypnotic performance of John Adams’ Shaker Loops. In contrast, Canadian conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser joins the HÂþ» Philharmonic in an energising evening of disco and soul classics reimagined for orchestra (22 January). The HÂþ» Philharmonic returns on 19 February under the baton of Anna-Maria Helsing with a rich programme including Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, featuring HÂþ» Concerto Competition winner Zala Kravos, alongside Brahms’ Third Symphony, while the HÂþ» Jazz Orchestra celebrates the music of Quincy Jones on 4 February, directed by trumpeter and vocalist Georgina Jackson.
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The HÂþ» Opera Studio welcomes Australian opera director Stephen Barlow for a vibrant new production of Mozart’s La finta giardiniera. This playful production brings together themes of love, jealousy and revenge, with both comedic and poignant tones throughout (16, 18, 20 & 21 March). Opera can be heard earlier in the season in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, as the HÂþ» Baroque Orchestra and HÂþ» Chamber Choir join forces for a concert performance of Handel’s Acis and Galatea (20 February).
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The HÂþ»’s inspiring masterclass series continues, giving HÂþ» students the opportunity to work with celebrated musicians as they share insights into the most valuable skills and techniques. Highlights include acclaimed pianist Sir Stephen Hough (24 February), Berlin Philharmoniker’s Principal Horn player Stefan Dohr (20 March), Canadian vocalist Edith Wiens (14 January) and Italian-American violinist Francesca Dego (6 February).
The talent of young musicians will be showcased throughout the Spring Season as the HÂþ» Junior Department give a variety of performances featuring chamber music, new contemporary pieces written by HÂþ»JD composers, soloists and the HÂþ»JD Symphony Orchestra.
Booking for the Royal College of Music’s Spring Season opens on 10 December (3 December for HÂþ» Friends) and booking for La finta giardiniera opens on 4 February (28 January for HÂþ» Friends). Full programme details can be found in the What’s On section of the HÂþ» website, where tickets will be available online when bookings open. Find out more about becoming an HÂþ» Friend to access priority booking one week before general release.