Classical Pride 2026

The London Symphony Orchestra returns to Classical Pride under the baton of festival founder Oliver Zeffman in a kaleidoscopic programme of 20th-century music by LGBTQ+ composers.

Now in its fourth year, Classical Pride is a celebration of the huge contribution of LGBTQ+ composers and performers to classical music.

The concert opens with the jubilant Agnegram by Michael Tilson Thomas – the conductor, composer, pianist and educator, the LSO’s Conductor Laureate and former Principal Conductor, whose passing was announced in April 2026. It’s followed by the UK premiere of the melodic Cello Concerto No 2 by Dutch composer Henriëtte Bosmans – a pioneering voice who survived the Nazis while composing in secret – with celebrated soloist Laura van der Heijden.

Barber’s Adagio for Strings, heard in iconic cinematic moments such as Platoon and adopted as a global anthem of mourning, opens the second half, followed by his nostalgic Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with the powerhouse tenor Freddie Ballentine. Boléro by Ravel concludes, in which an infectious melody is repeated against the beat of a snare drum, finally reaching an orgiastic climax.

Classical Pride is not-for-profit. Net proceeds from concerts at the Barbican will be donated to Rainbow Railroad.

Classical Pride is promoted by Ozero Arts, an arts production charity (registered charity no. 1215008) that undertakes ambitious artistic projects – conceiving, producing and raising money for bold ideas across live and recorded music.