The Nutcracker, Lighthouse Poole [Wed 4 Dec], Portsmouth Guildhall [Thu 5 Dec]
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker has become almost synonymous with Christmas, with its sparkling melodies tinkle in the memory like a lost music box. From the Elegant Waltz of the Flowers to the witty Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Dance of the Reed Flutes, the score is a feast of wonderful melodies that will whisk you away to a magical festive land…
Handel’s Messiah, Lighthouse Poole [Wed 11 Dec]
Meanwhile, Handel’s glorious Messiah has firmly secured itself in the Christmas calendar. Retelling the story of Christ it is heaped full of beautiful arias including He was Despised and Rejected and I Know that My Redeemer Liveth and rousing choruses like For Unto Us a Child is Born and the ever-popular Hallelujah Chorus.
Christmas rehearsals with the BSO
The Snowman, Lighthouse Poole [Sat 14 Dec, 3pm and 7pm]
And for something to suit all the family… we’re delighted to present The Snowman to audiences in Poole this Christmas. Beloved by generations of children and adults alike, The Snowman conjures up the warmth of a cosy fireside, bringing back the childlike wonder and innocence of those very first Christmases. Join The Snowman and James on their magical journey through the winter sky in this special showing of the well-loved classic on the large screen, accompanied by the BSO and local young singers…
Last Night of the Christmas Proms, Exeter University Great Hall [Thu 19 Dec], Portsmouth Guildhall [Fri 20 Dec], Lighthouse Poole [Sat 21 Dec]
Rounding it all off, our Last Night of the Christmas Proms performances have become a mainstay of the Christmas season in the Southwest. With performances in Exeter, Portsmouth and Poole, we bring you all the best music of the festive season alongside your favourite orchestral treats. Pianist and singer extraordinaire Joe Stilgoe joins the orchestra and showcases his impressive musical talents. An aficionado of all things Christmas, Joe has hosted and starred many times in BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night. He is also a regular presence on the station (Joe Stilgoe – Christmas At The Movies, Jingle Bell Joe, One Night Stand at Ronnie Scotts).
Last Night at the Christmas Proms with the BSO
New Year’s Viennese Galas, Lighthouse Poole [Wed 1 Jan], Taunton Brewhouse [Fri 3 Jan], Weymouth Pavilion [8 Jan], Fareham Live [Thurs 9 Jan], Marlborough College Memorial Hall [Sun 12 Jan]
Join us in various locations across the Southwest to ring in the New Year and swirl into the New Year with us in our traditional Viennese gala! This year’s concert brings all of your favourite waltzes, polkas and marches by Johann Strauss and his contemporaries. Music includes all of Strauss’ greats such as the Fledermaus Overture, Thunder and Lightning Polka, The Emperor Waltz, Radetzsky March and, of course, The Blue Danube! The Orchestra will be joined by former Assistant Conductor Tom Fetherstonhaugh and soprano Soraya Mafi.
Your presents is required! We’d love to see you in any of our venues for some magical, life affirming festive music this Christmas. For more details click here