Jerwood Hall
Thomas Dunford and Friends: Thomas Dunford & Niamh O’Sullivan
BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert
LSO St Luke's
John Dowland
Come again; Flow my tears; Can she excuse my wrongs; Lachrimae; King of Denmark’s galliard
Thomas Dunford & Doug Balliett
Blind man; Sometimes; That’s so you; We are the ocean; Love will find a way
The Beatles
Something; Blackbird; Let it be
Henry Purcell
If Love’s a sweet passion; Strike the viol; An Evening Hymn; Ah Belinda; Dido’s Lament
John Lennon Imagine
Thomas Dunford lute
Niamh O’Sullivan mezzo-soprano
The concert will finish at approximately 2.05pm.
Tickets
£16 (£14 concessions, £6 under-18s)
+ £1.50 booking fee per transaction
Save on Your Booking
Multibuy Discounts: Book 3 or more concerts, save 20%
Discounts for 18s-and-under and full-time students
Groups of 10+ save at least 20%
Free companion tickets for Barbican Access Members
Full details
The Concert
The Beatles rub shoulders with Purcell and Dowland in a sparkling, time-tripping recital for lute and voice.
The Music
Inspirations range far and wide in this brilliantly eclectic programme of British song. John Dowland was a profound chronicler of grief, while Purcell could be quietly ecstatic in his contemplation of evening. Centuries later the lyrical skills of Harrison, Lennon and McCartney were raised to higher heights by the song of a blackbird, the memory of a mother, or the way a woman moves.
Dunford and Balliett have formed their own powerful songwriting partnership; born, as they described it, out of ‘beer and bar trips’, and fuelled by their love of the Beatles (Balliett has been described as ‘the John to Dunford’s Paul’). The result is punchy and modern, yet with a nod to history in the beguiling sound of the lute.
The Performers
Multi-talented lutenist Thomas Dunford is joined by rising star Niamh O’Sullivan, whose mezzo-soprano voice has been described as ‘sheerly beautiful’.
Recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3
Booking and Discounts
Booking Your Tickets
Online at lso.co.uk
By phone on +44 20 7870 2500 (Monday to Friday 12–5.30pm)
In person at the Barbican Centre (no booking fee)
Refunds and Exchanges
Contact the Box Office at least 24 hours before the performance (two weeks for group bookings) to exchange your tickets for another LSO concert or Barbican credit voucher, valid for twelve months. A per-ticket administration fee applies.
The LSO reserves the right to change artists or programmes if necessary. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, all bookers will receive a refund.
Questions About Your Booking?
Contact the Box Office at tickets@barbican.org.uk.
Visit the Barbican website for conditions of sale.
All discounts are subject to availability and may not be combined.
Multibuy Discount
Save 20% when you book three or more BBC Radio 3 concerts in the 2025/26 season within one transaction.
Retain your discount for any later bookings within the season.
Concessions
£14 tickets for over-60s, full-time students and unwaged/unemployed people.
18 and Under
£6 tickets. Book online, by phone or in person. BBC Radio 3 Concerts are recommended for ages 12+. For younger children, we have a range of other events at LSO St Luke’s, including Free Friday Lunchtime Concerts which are suitable for everyone over the age of 5.
Groups of 10+
Save 20%, or 30% when booking two or more concerts in the same season. Find out more about group booking.
Access Members
Members of the Barbican’s Access Scheme can book wheelchair places priced at the lowest price for that event and book a free companion seat. Join the Barbican Access Scheme.
Your Visit and Access
Getting to LSO St Luke's
The main entrance to LSO St Luke’s is through the gates from Old Street. Please check the doors open time for your chosen concert.
What to Expect
From the concert experience to venue facilities and the Hawksmoor Space, find out what to expect at LSO St Luke’s.
Accessibility
At LSO St Luke’s we are fully committed to making the venue as accessible as possible.
More BBC Radio 3 Concerts
Vaughan Williams and his Circle: Nash Ensemble
BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert
Thursday 22 January 2026 • 1pm
A selection of music performed by the Nash Ensemble, as part of a series of BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts showcasing music by Vaughan Williams and his Circle.
Thomas Dunford and Friends: Solo Recital
BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert
Thursday 5 February 2026 • 1pm
A solo recital that showcases the sound of the lute, with music by John Dowland, Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger, Joan Ambrosio Dalza, Robert de Visée, Marin Marais and J S Bach.
Spotlight on Seong-Jin Cho
BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert
Friday 13 February 2026 • 1pm
As part of his Artist Portrait, Seong-Jin Cho brings a series of chamber programmes to LSO St Luke’s, exploring music by Donghoon Shin and Brahms in this concert with LSO Musicians.
Header image © Andrea Antosikova
