Weekly Highlights
This week's classical highlights
Week of 26 October 2026
Tickets still available for these great shows coming up this week around the UK - don't miss them!
This week's round-up is being put together. In the meantime, here is what's on next in the diary.
Mon 2 November · 13:00
Emma Burgess, Gareth Twigg and Benjamin Powell
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra · Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool · from £18
This hour-long sequence offers a rare chance to hear the woody, playful conversation between a clarinet and a bassoon. It is an ideal lunch-break escape that moves from Beethoven’s bright melodies to a moody piano nocturne, all before closing with the dark, singing lines of Glinka’s soulful trio.
Mon 2 November · 13:00
Recitals at Lunch
The Royal Ballet and Opera · Royal Opera House, London
Step away from the midday rush for a rare chance to see world-class dance in a relaxed setting. These afternoon performances offer a perfect introduction to the grace and physical skill of live ballet, capturing the magic of the stage during a brief, accessible break from the busy London streets.
Mon 2 November · 19:15
Carmen
The Royal Ballet and Opera · Royal Opera House, London
Damiano Michieletto brings a searing sense of realism to the stage for Bizet's tale of desire and defiance. You will recognise the famous melodies immediately, but this visceral production ensures the drama feels entirely fresh as the heat and tension of the story unfold under the lights.
Mon 2 November · 19:30
Cinderella
Northern Ballet · Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds · from £10
Prokofiev’s score for this fairytale is famous for its dark, cinematic edge and the ticking clocks that heighten the midnight deadline. It is a substantial evening of storytelling that trades sugary clichés for emotional depth, making it a perfect entry point for those who prefer drama to dainty tutus.
Tue 3 November · 19:00
Opera On Your Doorstep Autumn: Hansel & Gretel
Scottish Opera · Macphail Centre, Ullapool, Ullapool
This intimate touring production brings Humperdinck’s atmospheric tale to life through a specially adapted version of the score. Watching these characters navigate their dark journey in such a close-knit setting makes the music feel personal, offering a vivid introduction to the scale and drama of live operatic storytelling.
Tue 3 November · 19:00
Bruckner’s 7th Symphony
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra · Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Birmingham · from £27.5
Witness the shimmering opening theme Bruckner reportedly heard in a dream, played in a hall renowned for making these vast orchestral textures glow. Before the interval, Ilya Gringolts tackles Prokofiev’s first concerto, a work that balances sharp, modern energy with the kind of silver-toned lyricism that stays with you long after.
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