Wigmore Hall Announces Star-Studded 125th Anniversary Festival
London’s premier destination for chamber music is preparing for a historic milestone. Wigmore Hall has announced a sweeping 125th Anniversary Festival, scheduled to run from May 25 to June 7, 2026. The celebration will unite six generations of global musical stars for two weeks of performances that honor the venue’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of contemporary performance.
In a major partnership, BBC Radio 3 will broadcast the festival in its entirety. With over 20 concerts spanning evening, lunchtime and late-night slots, the performances will be available to international audiences via BBC Sounds, ensuring the celebrations reach far beyond the walls of the London venue.
A Bridge to the Past: The Opening Night
The festival kicks off on May 25 with a conceptual reimagining of the hall’s original inaugural concert from May 31, 1901. This opening event serves as a dialogue between the venue’s Edwardian roots and the modern era.
The program features a distinguished lineup including composer and pianist Thomas Adès, soprano Louise Alder, violinist Alina Ibragimova, and pianists Joseph Middleton and Cédric Tiberghien. The repertoire will draw from the masters—Beethoven, Schubert, Bach, and Brahms—and will include a world premiere: a new piano arrangement by Thomas Adès of “Vesper (for Henry Purcell)” from his 2023 work Forgotten Dances, performed by the composer himself.
Literary Legacy: “There Is Sweet Music Here”
Beyond the music, the anniversary marks a significant scholarly contribution to the hall’s history. The opening evening will see the launch of There Is Sweet Music Here: The World of Wigmore Hall, a new book by historian Julia Boyd (published by Elliott & Thompson, 2026). The volume chronicles the venue’s evolution from its early 20th-century origins to its current standing as one of the world’s most influential centers for chamber music.
Program Highlights: A Global Assemblage of Talent
The festival’s programming is designed to showcase a vast spectrum of vocal, piano, and ensemble expertise.
Vocal and Piano Masterworks
- Vocalists: Lise Davidsen will perform a program dedicated entirely to Schubert, while Ian Bostridge tackles Schumann’s Dichterliebe and Liederkreis. Asmik Grigorian will present French and Russian repertoire alongside Strauss’s Four Last Songs, and Christian Gerhaher will appear with pianist Gerold Huber.
- Pianists: The festival hosts a powerhouse roster of keyboard artists, including Igor Levit, Alexandre Kantorow, Angela Hewitt, and Lukas Sternath.
Ensembles and Chamber Music
The festival emphasizes the collaborative spirit of chamber music through several high-profile pairings:
- Featured Groups: The Belcea Quartet and Leonkoro Quartet will be central to the programming. Other notable appearances include Les Arts Florissants led by William Christie, Abel Selaocoe’s Bantu Ensemble, and Rhiannon Giddens performing with Francesco Turrisi and the Crash Ensemble.
- Specialized Works: Audiences can expect performances of Mendelssohn’s Octet, Mozart’s String Quintet in G minor (featuring Tabea Zimmermann and the Belcea Quartet), and the piano quintets of Schumann and Brahms performed by Igor Levit and the Leonkoro Quartet. London Voices will also present Stockhausen’s Stimmung.
The Grand Finale
The festivities conclude on June 7 with a rare and demanding feat of endurance, and artistry. Violinist Christian Tetzlaff will perform the complete Bach Solo Violin Sonatas and Partites, a milestone performance coinciding with Tetzlaff’s 60th birthday.
“BBC Radio 3 has been an indispensable partner for Wigmore Hall for decades, and we are deeply grateful for this extraordinary commitment to broadcasting the entire Festival for our 125th Anniversary. Its support allows this celebration of our artists, our repertoire, and our history to be shared with audiences far beyond the Hall, both in the UK and internationally.”
— John Gilhooly, Director of Wigmore Hall
Key Takeaways: Wigmore Hall 125th Anniversary
- Dates: May 25 – June 7, 2026.
- Scale: 24 concerts over 14 days.
- Accessibility: Full broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.
- Major Premiere: Thomas Adès’ piano arrangement of “Vesper (for Henry Purcell).”
- Historical Marker: Launch of Julia Boyd’s history of the hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I listen to the festival if I am not in London?
The entire festival will be broadcast by BBC Radio 3 and will be available for streaming and on-demand listening via BBC Sounds.
What makes the opening concert significant?
The opening concert is a direct homage to the hall’s first-ever concert on May 31, 1901, blending original historical repertoire with a modern world premiere by Thomas Adès.
Who is the historian writing the anniversary book?
Historian Julia Boyd is the author of There Is Sweet Music Here: The World of Wigmore Hall, which launches during the festival’s opening night.