Royal College of Music announces its public performance programme for Spring 2026
Thursday 27 November 2025
The Royal College of Music (RCM) Spring 2026 Season puts the spotlight on chamber music with two exciting collaborations for the RCM Chamber Orchestra, as well as programmes ranging from Baroque to disco.
Chamber music is a focus throughout spring 2026, with Douglas Boyd directing the RCM Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Haydn’s Symphony no 86 in D major, Strauss’ Le bourgeois gentilhomme and Zimmermann’s Oboe Concerto, featuring RCM Concerto Competition winner Kara Battley (29 January). An exciting side-by-side concert brings together members of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe with RCM musicians to perform Beethoven’s First Symphony alongside Farrenc’s vibrant Overture no 2 (5 March).
The theme of chamber music continues at The Sound of Music Chamber Festival which features a range of genres and chamber ensembles (14 and 15 February). On 14 February celebrate Valentine’s Day with the renowned Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, as they perform a varied programme alongside RCM musicians, spanning the Baroque period to Gershwin, Cole Porter and more. World-renowned pianist and RCM alumnus Wayne Marshall joins RCM musicians on 15 February to celebrate classics by Rodgers & Hammerstein in a one-hour showcase, while a groundbreaking series of electronic installations, composed and performed by RCM students, is an opportunity to be immersed in surround sound and digital imagery.
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Two further festivals in February will showcase a breadth of musical styles. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the RCM Keyboard Festival, with highlights from the past 19 years performed on piano, organ, early keyboard instruments and the RCM’s state-of-the-art Steinway Spirio, demonstrating the flexibility and dynamism of keyboard music (22 February). The RCM Festival of Conducting returns for its third year, providing insights into conducting a range of genres, how conductors and composers work collaboratively with new music, and the opportunity for audiences to get involved (1 February).
The monumental sound of Bruckner’s Symphony no 7 will be brought to the stage by the RCM Symphony Orchestra on 12 February, led by conductor Lawrence Renes, preceded by a hypnotic performance of John Adams’ Shaker Loops. In contrast, Canadian conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser joins the RCM Philharmonic in an energising evening of disco and soul classics reimagined for orchestra (22 January). The RCM Philharmonic returns on 19 February under the baton of Anna-Maria Helsing with a rich programme including Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, featuring RCM Concerto Competition winner Zala Kravos, alongside Brahms’ Third Symphony, while the RCM Jazz Orchestra celebrates the music of Quincy Jones on 4 February, directed by trumpeter and vocalist Georgina Jackson.
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The RCM Opera Studio welcomes Australian opera director Stephen Barlow for a vibrant new production of Mozart’s La finta giardiniera. This playful production brings together themes of love, jealousy and revenge, with both comedic and poignant tones throughout (16, 18, 20 & 21 March). Opera can be heard earlier in the season in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, as the RCM Baroque Orchestra and RCM Chamber Choir join forces for a concert performance of Handel’s Acis and Galatea (20 February).
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The RCM’s inspiring masterclass series continues, giving RCM students the opportunity to work with celebrated musicians as they share insights into the most valuable skills and techniques. Highlights include acclaimed pianist Sir Stephen Hough (24 February), Berlin Philharmoniker’s Principal Horn player Stefan Dohr (20 March), Canadian vocalist Edith Wiens (14 January) and Italian-American violinist Francesca Dego (6 February).
The talent of young musicians will be showcased throughout the Spring Season as the RCM Junior Department give a variety of performances featuring chamber music, new contemporary pieces written by RCMJD composers, soloists and the RCMJD Symphony Orchestra.
Booking for the Royal College of Music’s Spring Season opens on 10 December (3 December for RCM Friends) and booking for La finta giardiniera opens on 4 February (28 January for RCM Friends). Full programme details can be found in the What’s On section of the RCM website, where tickets will be available online when bookings open. Find out more about becoming an RCM Friend to access priority booking one week before general release.
