Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra 2026
Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) launches its 2026–27 season this month with new projects, bold performances, and opportunities for young musicians, showcasing the orchestra’s commitment to world-class live music and music education across Sussex.
The season officially opens with Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (27 Sept 14:45 at Brighton Dome). Conducted by music director Joanna MacGregor, it stars two young virtuosi – pianist Khrystyna Mykhailichenko and violinist Emily Trubshaw – and pairs Rachmaninoff’s dazzling Rhapsody with Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, Piazzolla’s Primavera Porteña and Janáček’s glorious brass-filled Sinfonietta. Tickets start at £15, with £10 Under 30s and £1 child tickets.
The orchestra’s return to Brighton Dome is just one highlight in a packed September. The month begins with the launch of Brighton Spring, BPO’s new chamber ensemble. An extension of the orchestra’s Spring Forwards training scheme, it brings together exceptional early-career musicians to perform ambitious chamber repertoire and deliver music education projects in local schools. Its debut concert takes place on 17 Sept at Brighton College and is repeated on 21 Sept at Christ’s Hospital School, with spellbinding young Latvian accordionist Alise Siliņa as guest soloist. Both concerts include masterclasses and side-by-side rehearsals for state school pupils; if you’d like to bring a school or youth group, email mail@brightonphil.org.uk.
September also sees the return of The Listening Club, the orchestra’s new series of informal, illustrated talks from Joanna MacGregor. An immediate hit when launched earlier this year, the talks explore the music in each of BPO’s Brighton Dome concerts, revealing the composers’ inspirations, historical context and motifs to listen out for. This month’s Listening Club takes place on 18 Sept 18:00 at Brighton Unitarian Church and dives into the music of the opening concert, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; tickets are £10.
September sets the tone for a concert season packed with bold collaborations, fresh voices and unforgettable live music, from violin superstar Nigel Kennedy performing Jimi Hendrix arrangements to jazz-infused Purcell and John Adams’ explosive Harmonium with Brighton Festival Chorus.
To book concert tickets: www.brightonphil.org.uk/whats-on
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