The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the Royal Albert Hall for a series of three online concerts with Music Director Designate Vasily Petrenko at the helm, as part of the Royal Albert Hall’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

The concerts in March, April and May feature symphonies by Brahms, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, showcasing the dynamic partnership between the Orchestra and Vasily Petrenko, who will officially take up his position as Music Director in August.

They will feature soloists Jess Gillam performing Villa-Lobos’ Fantasia and John Harle’s RANT!, Nicola Benedetti performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and Paul Lewis performing Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto.

The Orchestra’s return to the Royal Albert Hall comes at a time when RPO research found that three in five (59%) of people said they were looking for ways to positively fulfil their interest in the performing arts – rising to 74% among the under-35 age group. One in six people in the UK said they have been maintaining their connection with the concert hall online through online broadcasts and videos of artist performing at home. 

Of those who listened to orchestral music during isolation, seven in ten cited tangible and lasting positive impacts on their mood.

This series of online concerts follows a range of digital presentations which the Orchestra has undertaken since the start of the pandemic.

The RPO’s forthcoming performances at the Royal Albert Hall will be streamed by Fane Productions and tickets are available for purchase at www.rpo.co.uk/rahstreams 

James Williams, Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra commented:

“We are delighted, after such a difficult year, to be returning to the Royal Albert Hall, where the RPO is Associate Orchestra, and to be performing with our Music Director Designate, Vasily Petrenko. It is an opportunity to reconnect and reengage two of the world’s finest musical forces, showcasing the very best of this unique partnership. With the worst of the pandemic hopefully over, and with the wheels of the music industry gradually starting to turn again, these online concerts mark the start of a hopeful and exciting period as the RPO heads towards its 75th Anniversary in September."

“Throughout the course of the pandemic, we have continued to listen to our audience, maintain our connection with them, and understand the ways they have engaged with orchestral music in isolation. We have seen this first hand with online audiences reaching record numbers throughout the last year, as millions have enjoyed listening to our recordings, online broadcasts and interviews throughout the pandemic. We have particularly cherished our audience this last year – whether virtual or in person – and look forward to performing for them throughout the rest of 2021 and beyond.”