What's On / Bristol Concerts, Theatre & Dance / classical

Classical Concerts in Bristol

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Bristol's Classical Scene

Bristol has a long history of classical music, with new talent emerging year upon year thanks to students at Bristol University’s prestigious department of music. The largest classical music performances see complete orchestras performing at St George’s Hall where natural acoustics continue to wow audiences of over five hundred guests. Contemporary solo performances have found home in Colston Hall’s second room, The Lantern. St Stephen’s church and the Victoria Rooms in Clifton are also essential venues for classical music and orchestras in Bristol.

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Our recent classical recommendations

Unmissable visionary scenes! Medieval fever dreams meet sci-fi fantasies in the most ambitious exhibition / gig / club union these parts have ever seen. Doozy strings together ceramic tape loop sculpture, DIY dream simulators, experimental film screenings and sword fighting with performances from beloved chamber drone crew Viridian Ensemble and dark age acid from DJ Gregorian. HUGE multi-format day & night art show. Chaos magick artclubbing exhibition & zine launch + new mural unveiling + live AV gig + clubnight

What our editors say

“Tina Hitchens is a flautist, improviser, and composer/sound artist who works largely in the fields of free improvisation, sound art, and contemporary classical music, playing and writing in a variety of musical groups as well as working with artists from other disciplines.”
From: Improv Sounds: Nick Moore, Kay Grant & guests

“Join the Avon Concordia for our second orchestral programme, featuring three distinct works spanning the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. We begin with the world premiere of an exciting new work by Liam O'Connell, who also plays double bass with the orchestra! We are then joined by elite violinist Rhia Thomas who will perform Mendelssohn's demanding Violin Concerto. After a short interval, we will hear a rarely performed work by Kurt Weill (best known by far for 'Mack the Knife'), his neo-classical 2nd Symphony.”
From: A Triptych of Eras

“Hear the story of two Bristol-based poets / revolutionaries who helped change the face of history. William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge have been brought back to life in this rapturous collision of ecstatic poetry and classical instruments. Learn about the Romantic poets’ relationship to nature, imagination, and psychedelics in this intiguing journey of lyricism and laughter. This is a one of a kind act of enchantment and madness from a time of slavery and war.”
From: Romantics, Mystics & Revolutionaries

“Joaquín is a dancer, dance researcher, and doctor in Psychology (KU Leuven – Belgium). Existing in the practices of dance and improvisation, experimental psychology, and philosophy, Joaquín has been obsessed in ‘ways of knowing’ and ‘gestures’ of research in dance improvisation and science. Challenging classical divergences between subject/object, in both his dancing explorations and academic work.”
From: Joaquín Alfei: Stretching the form: Affor

“Keeping us firmly in the realm of folk Craven band are a Cardiff/Stroud based band who perform traditional ballads with crafted arrangements. They take influence for their soundworld from punk, electronic dance and classical chamber music. Gothic & here to remind us Mari Lwyd is a dead ghoul who represents famine.”
From: Mari Lwyd Dawns Parti