Aside from singing the correct notes in tune, what constitutes a great voice remains a topic of debate. However, one undeniably great voice belonged to Kathleen Ferrier, the English contralto who passed away over 70 years ago yet remains celebrated for the haunting darkness of her sound, preserved in historical recordings. Her legacy endures through the Ferrier Competition, which annually seeks to discover exceptional singers of the future. The 2026 finals will take place on April 24 at Wigmore Hall, where Ferrier herself performed many times. Notably, prizes are also awarded to collaborative pianists—the unsung heroes without whom competitors could not function. The evening is lengthy with an early start, but there is a generous supper interval (attendees are advised to bring sandwiches). For those in Camden, Ferrier was a local resident, living in Frognal Mansions, Hampstead, marked by a blue plaque worth contemplating in preparation. Details: wigmore-hall.org.uk
BBC Symphony Orchestra: Making America
The BBC Symphony Orchestra may be reconsidering its "Making America" evening scheduled for April 24 at the Barbican, given the current political climate. However, for those willing to tolerate more stars and stripes, the program includes Hollywood scores by Bernard Herrmann and Korngold, as well as a new trumpet concerto by composer Ryan Latimer, who does not appear to be American. Details: barbican.org.uk
Musicians as Athletes: Cross-Disciplinary Performances
It is often overlooked that musicians are akin to athletes, engaging in hard physical labor. Illuminating collaborations between musicians and other physical performers are on offer this week. At the Queen Elizabeth Hall, April 24-25, the touring Australian Brandenburg Orchestra joins acrobats in an adaptation of Bach's Art of Fugue, presumably expanding the piece's intricacies into something like semaphore. Meanwhile, at the Purcell Room on April 30, the Manchester Collective and cellist Laura van der Heijden partner with queer-culture dance duo Thick & Tight in music by the late Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho. Details for both: southbankcentre.co.uk
Royal Opera's Linbury Theatre: Women Composers
The Royal Opera's Linbury Theatre, small enough to take risks and push envelopes, presents a triple bill of unfamiliar chamber works by women composers from May 1-8. Two are contemporary—Charlotte Bray and Elena Langer—and one is a neglected mid-20th century figure overdue for reappraisal: Elizabeth Maconchy. Worth exploring. Details: rbo.org.uk
Berg's Wozzeck in Concert
On the opera front, Berg's Wozzeck, a magnificently grim appraisal of a human soul oppressed, abused, and destroyed, will be performed in concert at the Royal Festival Hall on April 25 under Edward Gardner. Stéphane Degout sings the hapless title role. Details: southbankcentre.co.uk
Antoine Tamestit at LSO St Luke's
The words "viola" and "electrifying" do not always go together, but they do for star violist Antoine Tamestit, who graces the lunchtime series at LSO St Luke's on April 30 alongside equally starry pianist Bertrand Chamayou. Program includes Brahms and Shostakovich. Details: lso.co.uk
Discoveries Series at Leighton House
Lastly, the concert series called Discoveries, which I frequently urge audiences to try, takes place in the fabulously exotic, atmospheric, and intimate setting of Leighton House in Holland Park. It features generally brilliant young artists and hospitably supplies wine and cheese afterward, making for a joyous experience. On April 28, a new string quartet, the Valegro, performs Mozart and Janáček. Go. Details: lisapeacock.co.uk
