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

Bristol’s glitterati, this is your summer solstice sermon! Comedy don Jeff Innocent and antihero of anarchic verse Attila the Stockbroker top a riotous cabaret lineup of satire, reggae, absurdism and sleight-of-hand. A stacked bill of chaos, charisma and counterculture with a dancefloor basted in enough dub to summon the ghost of DJ Derek. RIOT ACT proudly presents the very best in Comedy, Poetry, Music and everything inbetween from the South West and beyond

Sell out warning! A celestial highlight in the Impermanence calendar bursts onto the stage in a shower of rose petals and illuminating candles. Songs of the Bulbul melds deep Persian myths with the whirling dramatics of Sufi Kathak dance and a sweeping, epic score by Rushil Ranjan. A joyous and mesmerising experience; if you give contemporary dance just one chance this year, make sure this is it. Songs of the Bulbul, a new dance work by Aakash Odedra with choreography by Rani Khanam and music by Rushil Ranjan.

A beacon of contemporary classical and a past collaborator with Earth, Nirvana, and David Byrne (among countless others), Lori Goldston’s cello explorations are a marvel in their own right. Better still, she's joining The Cube to live-score a series of short films from underground visionaries including prolific Seattle outsider artist Jon Behrens, Ukrainian-American multi-disciplinary experimentalist Anna Kipervaser, and BEEF co-founder Vicky Smith. Cinematic Symbiosis

Stories of displacement, resilience and hope take centre stage as Bristol City of Sanctuary joins forces with oral history project Child Migrant Stories, sharing the voices of those who escaped war and oppression to build new lives in the UK. With short films, in-person testimonies, and a stirring live performance from local refugee-led ensemble Dovetail Orchestra. Join us for an evening of powerful oral histories, short films, and live music that share the stories of child migrants who made the UK their home. Hear from those who fled war, oppression, and hardship, and learn about their journeys and the impact of migration on their lives.

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What our editors say

“The celebrated sitar player Roopa Panesar performs from her most recent album, ATMA, with a group of the finest Indian classical and jazz musicians in the UK; an enticing mix of traditional Indian and western instrumentation.”
From: Roopa Panesar ATMA

“Following her performance the night before, Laura Snowden will return to The Cube to give a classical guitar masterclass. This is a rare chance for guitarists to learn directly from a player described by Classical Guitar Magazine as being "a true musician whose interpretative capabilities are profound and exciting”.”
From: Masterclass with Laura Snowden

“Clive Mills will join Dave on guitar and is a long-standing professional classical, folk and blues guitar performer and teacher. Both have performed together for many years, and in 2021, they developed the Native American flute and guitar duo: Inner Voice.”
From: A Journey with Native American Flute

“Sissi Rada is a Greek artist who bridges classical and electronic music. Trained as a classical harpist, she has performed with major orchestras like the Berlin Philharmonic and Deutsche Oper. In her electronic work, she blends classical technique with songwriting and experimental production, collaborating with artists such as Brian Eno, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Andi Toma, and Jay Glass Dubs.”
From: En Masse: KAKUHAN, Sissi Rada, Twelfth House & Ioto retina

“A mixture of original, classical and folk songs mainly in Yiddish with a few visits to cultural neighbours. Her unique style and repertoire, based on traditional forms, cuts a sound deeply rooted in East European folklore. This multi-faceted weave of songs will present a few ballads, drinking songs and grandparents’ tales mixed with some sweet, dreamy folklore plus a few songs for the audience to join in. Workshop participants are invited to perform in this concert. This is a unique opportunity for individuals of all backgrounds to engage meaningfully with East European Jewish culture through music.”
From: En Masse 2025: Ballads of Eastern Europe