Music can encompass a multitude of human experiences beyond even words. It can animate, as it does so vividly in Bizet’s score for L’Arlésienne, which Sir Mark Elder will direct in a staged performance of Daudet’s original melodrama (9 & 10 October), or Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, his masterpiece that will be reignited by the colours of period instruments, alongside music by his teacher Rimsky-Korsakov, under the baton of Vladimir Jurowski (18 February). It can retell familiar stories in ways that remind us of their centrality to our shared values. Occasions such as the Nativity— we welcome Václav Luks back to the party for Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (5 & 6 December) —and the Passion; in 2027 we return once again to Bach’s St John Passion with John Butt. There is no greater narrator of human emotions in music than Handel; tenor Mark Padmore and soprano Carolyn Sampson will join us in a recital of arias from his operas and oratorios (16 May).   

Music can speak to the connections of community that inspire us. The story of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the circle of friendship that has built up around it, is held together by that unique quality of music. That is its soul. Two concerts in the season are designed to showcase the Orchestra’s collective virtuosity and the synergy that flows between its remarkable musicians. A Viennese House Party (28 January) brings together popular hits by Haydn and Mozart with brilliant curiosities by their friends Dittersdorf and Vanhal. Jane Gower will be the soloist in a bassoon concerto by the latter and Matthew Truscott will direct from the violin. In Vivaldi For Many (16 April) sparkling solo concertos and vibrant ‘concerti con molti strumenti’ will give wings to every player in the ensemble as each becomes a soloist.  

In our 2026 / 27 Southbank Centre season, as we do every year, we look forward to welcoming back old friends and making new ones, whether that is on stage, in the stalls or school halls.  

When we come together to share in live music, we are reminded of what a joy it is to experience it with our fellow travellers. We hope this season will inspire you beyond words. 

 How (and when) to get tickets. 

We are proud to be one of the Southbank Centre’s six Resident Orchestras. Our season is part of their wider classical music programming and goes on sale at the same time as those events. 

General Booking will open on Tuesday 28 April for concerts between October 2026 and January 2027, and later in the year for those from February. Priority Booking for the whole season will open for Friends and Patrons of the OAE on Wednesday 22 April. So, if you’d like access to the best seats and enjoy special events and insights then you can find out more about becoming a member in the Support Us section.