London's Classical Music Scene: April's Must-See Shows

0:00On April 17, London's classical music scene is firing up this April with a mix of forgotten gems and powerhouse choral classics, echoing that. Post-World War II, push for fresh starts in British art. Think Benjamin Britain's dark 1946 opera, The Rape of Lucretia, born from war shadows, setting the stage for today's bold revivals. First up, a real rarity. Peter Transhell's comic opera, Twice a Kiss, from the 1960s, gets its concert debut at St. Paul's in Night's Bridge, on April 18. Cambridge enthusiast dusted it off, roping in stars like soprano, Sophie Bevin, bass baritone, Christopher Purvis, and tenor James Gilchrist all led by conductor Michael Papadopoulos. Pianist Pears Lane adds Transhell's keyboard, works to check, petertranshell.uk for tickets. Shifting to choral vibes, the Crouch and Festival chorus hits Codogan Hall on April 19, with edgy new piece Tear Fluds by Young Composer Robin. Hi, it draws from a studio jibbly tear-filled underworld tale paired with the epic Carmina Barana for contrast, head to cc.org.uk.

1:09Over at the Barberkin on April 19, the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Tackle, Elgar's Dreamy Dream of Gerontius Under, Antonio Papano, spotlighting thrilling Mezzo Emilie DiAngelo. It's a perfumed dive into death's fantasy that always packs a punch. Rapping with a bang, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra blasts Messian's wild Turengalila Symphony at Festival Hall on April 23, conducted by Vassili Petrenko with pianist Steven Osborne. This kitschy love bomb to life will have you buzzing details at southbankcenter.co.uk. London stages are alive, so grab a seat before they vanish.