The London-based venue has hosted many of the world's top classical artists over the last four decades. They're set to celebrate their birthday in style with a number of events scheduled
The Barbican, one of London's top and most well respected venues for classical music, is celebrating its 40th birthday this March.
Since its inception in 1982, the Barbican has welcomed millions of visitors and thousands of artists; been a home for artistic exchange and performance; a public place for discovery; a resource for local communities, and played a significant role inspiring and developing future artists.
Barbican Theatre. ©Steff Langley
From 3-6 March over a long weekend, multiple events will take place to honour the venue's four decades. Highlights include:
- Thursday 3 March – London Symphony Orchestra/Rattle: Haydn The Creation (Barbican Hall, 8pm)
- Friday 4 March – BBC Symphony Orchestra: Elgar’s Cello Concerto (Barbican Hall, 7pm)
- Friday 4 March – Britten Sinfonia: City Life, including the world premiere of Dobrinka Tabakova’s Barbican (Milton Court, 9:30PM)
- Saturday 5 March – Sarah Cahill: The Future is Female, including new commissions by Arlene Sierra and Errollyn Wallen (Conservatory, 12pm). Panel discussion at 7:30pm.
- Sunday 6 March – London Symphony Orchestra/Rattle: Haydn The Creation (Barbican Hall, 7pm)
A full schedule of the celebrations can be found here.
Will Gompertz, Artistic Director at The Barbican, comments: "For forty years we have been a space for artistic exchange, learning, performance and debate, and we are grateful to the many artists, funders, visitors and our employees who have made the Barbican a unique and successful venue for all the arts.
As we look ahead with a new artistic vision, our ambition is to ensure that we continue to be an international beacon for the arts where everyone feels welcome. We will put education, inclusion and access at the heart of the work we do from our creative programme to the renewal of our building to ensure we present the diversity of perspectives represented in our society and develop the creative energy of the future."
Main image: Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali in the Barbican Hall. ©Max Colson
