Classical Pride with Oliver Zeffman & Nick Grimshaw

The culmination of 2024’s Classical Pride, the London Symphony Orchestra and conductor Oliver Zeffman celebrate LGBTQ+ classical music in this diverse programme presented by Nick Grimshaw.

Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man precedes a world premiere by US composer Jake Heggie and librettist Taylor Mac featuring soprano Pumeza Matshikiza.

Pavel Kolesnikov performs Saint-Saëns’ virtuosic and charming Piano Concerto No 2 and an encore of Tchaikovsky’s Valse sentimentale. This foreshadows Cassandra Miller’s Round, which takes Tchaikovksy’s theme as a starting point.

Szymanowski’s Symphony No 3, ‘Song of the Night’, with tenor soloist Russell Thomas and LGBTQ+ Community Choir concludes the programme, a nocturnal vision of profound peace within the universe mingled with passion.

Classical Pride is an annual music festival curated by conductor Oliver Zeffman to showcase the breadth and diversity of LGBTQ+ artists across classical music, and in 2024 takes place between 3 and 7 July across five events. Visit classicalpride.uk to view the full programme.

Classical Pride is non-profit, and net proceeds are donated to three important LGBTQ+ charities: Rainbow Railroad, Terrence Higgins Trust & GAY TIMES’ Amplifund.

Classical Pride with VIIV Healthcare and GAY TIMES is also generously supported by R. Martin Chavez, Lincoln Benet, David Kaskel & Chris Teano and Lord Donoughue.