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Top 10 events in London
- Eonnagata - Eonnagata tells the story of the Chevalier d'Éon, Charles de Beaumont - diplomat, writer, swordsman and a member of the King's Secret, a network of spies under the control of Louis XV. De Beaumont was perhaps the first spy to use transvestitism in the furtherance of his duties and, until the day he died, his true gender was a source of constant speculation, even provoking public bets in the late 18th century. Eonnagata features stunning lighting by Michael Hulls, lighting designer for the Olivier award-winning PUSH, beautiful costumes by internationally renowned fashion designer Alexander McQueen and an evocative sound design by Jean Sébastian Côté. Until 31 July. www.sadlerswells.com
- Brilliant Baroque by Candlelight - Locrian Ensemble with Rebekka Hartmann Violin. Programme includes Handel - Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Telemann - Trumpet Concerto, Handel - Opera Arias, Telemann - Viola Concerto, Bach - Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, Pachelbel - Canon in D and Vivaldi Concerto Grosso. 31 July. www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org
- Moonlight Sonata and Rhapsody in Blue - Ratko Delorko Piano. Programme includes Chopin - Prelude in D flat op 28 No 15, Beethoven - Piano Sonata op 27 No 2 in C sharp minor 'Moonlight Sonata', Schumann - Romance in F sharp, Chopin - Waltz in C sharp minor op 64 No 2, Chopin - Etude op 25 No 1, Chopin - Nocturne in F Minor op 55 No 1, Chopin - Prelude in C op 28 No 1, Chopin - Nocturne in E Minor op 72 No 1, Chopin - Ballade in G Minor op 23, Schumann - Papillons, Gershwin - Who Cares? and Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue. 3 August. www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org
- Zayed and the Dream - Caracalla Dance Theatre - Zayed and the Dream is the new extravagant theatrical creation by the Caracalla Dance Theatre. History meets art in the legendary story of seven horsemen travellers in the sands of time on a journey in search of the one who will forever leave his mark on the Arabian desert and carve his name as a hero of civilisation. Starring 100 artists with the participation of guest performers from China, Spain, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates including GABRIEL YAMMINE, YASSER EL MASRI Guest Stars WA’AD and HAMAD AL AMERI as well as honoured guest ASSI AL HELLANI. From 1 August until 3 August. www.eno.org
- Jazz in the Crypt - Shanti - This bright-toned and nimble trumpeter combines Latin and Eastern sounds with haunting themes of the spaghetti western. 4 August. www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org
- Le Corsaire - Bolshoi Ballet - The Bolshoi Ballet’s magnificent staging of Le Corsaire by the outstanding Russian choreographer, Alexei Ratmansky, has proved an extraordinary international success. Set on the banks of the Ionian Sea against a climate of political unrest between the Greeks and the Turks, this exotic ballet contains all the ingredients of a traditional Russian spectacular - love, intrigue, deception, a splendid shipwreck, a harem and a kidnap. A perfect vehicle for the Bolshoi dancers’ exuberant energy. From 2 August until 5 August. www.roh.org.uk
- Vivaldi's Four Seasons - The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by John Rigby, will join Diana Yukawa in a thrilling world-class performance of Antonio Vivaldi's masterpiece, the enchanting Four Seasons. Enjoy this spectacular summer’s evening with a picnic and friends at Kenwood. 7 August. www.picnicconcerts.com
- Carlos Acosta - Premieres - Carlos Acosta is the world's favourite dancer and his summer seasons at the London Coliseum hotly anticipated every year. For 2010, Carlos will perform his most ambitious new show to date. PREMIERES will see Carlos perform five works for the first time and on the largest stage in London. PREMIERES includes; - a new commission from Danza Contemporanea de Cuba's George Cespedes, following the Company's recent sell-out run at Sadler's Wells and across the UK, - a Carlos debut in Russell Maliphant's masterpiece Two, made famous in the version danced by Sylvie Guillem and now reworked for Carlos, - Royal Ballet Principal Zenaida Yanowsky dancing with Carlos in a new work by Edwaard Liang (NDT, New York City Ballet and many others), - A new work choreographed by Carlos, his first since smash hit Tocororo, and featuring a new music commission from Cuban violinist Omar Puente - Carlos's physically most revealing piece, a new mixed media collaboration with Simon Elliott of Ahh...Arts Igniting Minds, with emerging digital artists, Shaun O'Connor, Barry Gene Murphy, Mehmet (aka Memo) Akten, Anna Boberg, Peter Forde, Francesco Pastori, and featuring the magnificent Pegasus Choir. From 28 July until 7 August. www.eno.org
- O Miei Giorni By Jacopo Peri, Transition Projects, Fflur Wyn - Transition conjure up the agony and ecstasy of first love, in a collection of the most beautifully and mesmerising songs by Jacopo Peri (1561 - 1633), the composer often credited as the inventor of opera. Staging a portrait of a teenage girl's view of life, love, happiness, misery, home, the world, the universe and everything, Transition celebrate the joy and radiance of these songs, setting them against the backdrop of a long summers vacation, with film, animation and live interactive video. From 5 August until 7 August. Buy tickets
- Vivaldi Four Seasons - Belmont Ensemble of London with Peter G Dyson - Conductor. Programme includes Vivaldi - Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor, Mozart - Salzburg Symphony No 1, Vivaldi - Sinfonia 'Alla Rustica', Pachelbel - Canon, Handel - Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Bach - Air 'on the G String', Purcell - Fairy Queen Suite and Vivaldi - Four Seasons. 7 August. www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org
- Don Quixote - Bolshoi Ballet - The excitement and wit of Cervantes’ masterpiece are perfectly conveyed in Alexei Fadeyechev’s stunning production of Don Quixote. In astounding displays of virtuoso dancing, the plot unfolds as the love between Kitri and Basil is challenged by the fruitless attempts of Kitri’s father to engineer his unwilling daughter into a more lucrative match. Drama, comedy and love combine in Petipa’s enchanting classic, originally created for the Bolshoi in 1869. From 6 August until 8 August. www.roh.org.uk
- Vaughan Williams A Serenade to Music - Trafalgar Sinfonia with Ivor Setterfield - Conductor. Progamme includes Vaughan Williams - Serenade to Music, Stanford - 'Beati Quorum Via' from 3 Motets, Vaughan Williams - Shakespeare's Songs, Parry - 'My Soul, There is a Country' from Songs of Farewell, Holst - St Paul's Suite, Holst - The Evening Watch, Elgar - Serenade for Strings, Walton - 'Two Pieces' from Henry V, Finzi - Prelude for Strings, Finzi - Nightingales, Walton - Set Me as a Seal Upon Thine Heart and Peter Harris - Suite for Strings. 10 August. www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org
- Jazz in the Crypt - Riamba - With its flair for performing in a variety of settings, Riamba has become one of the sought after Salsa bands on the London scene today. The sultry Latin American rhythms, European harmonies blended with the smooth jazz of Riamba. 11 August. www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org
- Jamie Cullum - An incredibly versatile and deft pianist, singer and songwriter, Jamie Cullum is also a compelling performer. His latest album ‘The Pursuit’ features a combination of Jamie’s eclectic music tastes, his love of jazz and its classic standards, and the lyrical wit that is so popular with his millions of fans worldwide. Join him at Kenwood House this summer for an unforgettable evening. 14 August. www.picnicconcerts.com
- Eugene Onegin - Bolshoi Opera - The Bolshoi Opera represents the quintessence of Russian operatic heritage. Tchaikovsky’s supreme masterpiece Eugene Onegin was first performed at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1879 . Now, for the first time on the stage of the Royal Opera House, the Bolshoi brings its powerful 2006 production directed by the award-winning Dmitri Tcherniakov. The Bolshoi’s incomparable singers, including the sensational Ekaterina Scherbachenko, perform Pushkin’s tragic story of the passion of the innocent, ardent Tatiana for the charismatic Onegin, in scenes of torment, intimacy, beauty, tragedy and spectacle. From 11 August until 14 August. www.roh.org.uk
- London Jazz Festival - Cleveland Watkiss and Nicki Yeoh - With unmatchable vocal technique, range, flexibility and sheer vocal wit, Cleveland Watkiss can reproduce anything from the sound of dub reggae to bebop-style scat and all things in between. Watkiss is joined by virtuoso pianist Nikki Yeoh, whose power and playful sense of adventure make for a mesmerising performance. 14 August. www.roh.org.uk
- After The Tone - A New Musical - Not a revival. Not previously a film. Not born in the USA. With music and lyrics by an eighteen-year-old, After the Tone is the most exciting and promising new British musical to hit the London theatre scene in decades. Two years ago, young composer Oliver Fenwick teamed up with writer Russell Thompson and this is the result of their collaboration: a witty and sharp piece of musical theatre. Put four people on a stage. Four people who all live their lives in the shadow of the elusive Livi, a beautiful and ruthless city worker who seems to have it all. She is popular and admired, and life as she knows it is about to take an unexpected - and uninvited - turn. A dark and funny lesson in how not to treat people, this intimate piece of musical theatre will make you laugh - until you cry. You think you know your friends? Time to think again. From 2 August until 14 August. www.bridewelltheatre.co.uk
- La forza del destino - Giuseppe Verdi - Verdi rarely held back from giving us the full force of a love story and Forza is a gloriously powerful example featuring war, accidental death, betrayal, elopement, disguises, monasteries and blood-curdling sibling hatred and revenge. The music is as you might expect, wonderful, pounding with dramatic tension and overwhelming passion; it is an epic work showing Verdi at his creative best. The overture is magnificent and features the motif that was later used in the film Jean de Florette. From 27 July until 14 August. www.ohp.rbkc.gov.uk
- Cinderella - English National Ballet's award-winning production of Cinderella tells everyone's favourite rags-to-riches story in a beautiful three-act ballet by Michael Corder. Cinderella is tormented by her spiteful stepsisters who are to attend the glamorous Prince's ball. Upset and alone Cinderella's Fairy Godmother intervenes and transforms her into a glittering Princess who shall go to the ball. Despite her Fairy Godmother's warning Cinderella stays at the ball in the Prince's arms until midnight where she begins to transform back into rags and loses one of her enchanted slippers. The Prince must refuse the advances of Cinderella's cruel stepsisters before he can take Cinderella as his Princess forever. Prokofiev's soaring music and David Walker's sumptuous costumes and sets combine with magical choreography to conjure up a beautiful fairy tale world. From 11 August until 15 August. www.eno.org
- Last Night of the Kenwood Proms starring Faryl Smith and Wynne Evans - A triumphant season finale and ultimate Last Night of the Proms, starring classical sensation Faryl Smith and magnificent tenor Wynne Evans. Accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Inglis and culminating in a stunning percussive firework finale, this unforgettable evening will feature all of your Last Night favourites. 21 August. www.picnicconcerts.com
- Tanguera - Boasting a company of over 50 dancers and musicians, Tanguera tells a story of unrequited love in early 20th century Buenos Aires. When Giselle, a young French woman, arrives in Argentina as one of the first waves of European immigrants, she meets Lorenzo, a port worker who falls in love with her at first sight. But as Giselle falls deeper into Buenos Aires' seedy under- world, Lorenzo must fight to win her love. This is an adrenaline-charged journey through the world of tango with award-winning choreography by renowned Argentinean dance star Mora Godoy, and a seductive score performed by a full orchestra with one of Argentina’s most celebrated tango singers Marianela live on stage. From 3 August until 22 August. Buy tickets
- Glyndebourne at Somerset House - This August, Glyndebourne Festival Opera comes to London live on the big screen, transforming the beautiful setting of the 18th century courtyard at Somerset House into an open-air opera house for just three days. This is a rare chance to experience the thrill of opera direct from one of the world’s great opera houses with an evening screening of a full-length opera: a brand new production of Billy Budd, directed by Michael Grandage, the celebrated Glyndebourne production of The Rake’s Progress featuring stunning designs by David Hockney, and a special matinee screening for all the family of Hansel and Gretel. From 20 August until 22 August. www.somersethouse.org.uk
- Karita Mattila soprano; Martin Katz piano - To open Wigmore Hall’s 110th anniversary season they have a very special event. Hailed by Musical America in 2005 as ‘the most electrifying singing actress of our day’, Finnish soprano Karita Mattila traces almost a century of Austro-German song, and includes a selection by her compatriot Sibelius. 10 September. www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
- Shoes - Inspired by one of the great passions of the modern age, Shoes explores the gamut of footwear, from the highs of the Louboutin to the lows of the Croc. Composed by Richard Thomas, in his first large-scale production since the legendary West End and Broadway hit Jerry Springer - The Opera, and featuring the work of a team of leading choreographers, Shoes is a dance revue that sees life told from street-level perspective with wit, irreverence and affection. From 3 September until 11 September. www.sadlerswells.com
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The journey ends... - Following on from the sold-out performances of the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, experience the final chapter of this thrilling epic trilogy. Howard Shore's Academy award winning score will be performed live on stage by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Ludwig Wicki, to a high definition cinematic screening of the film. Rediscover the power of this gripping adventure as 200 musicians bring Middle-earth to life, performing live to Peter Jackson's award-winning film adaptation of the third part of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. As the Fellowship's journey comes to an end, the Return of the King tells the story of an epic heroic quest of men, their relationships and rivalries, and reveals how through courage, commitment and determination, even the smallest of us can change the world. 28 & 29 September. www.royalalberthall.com
- The Music of Bond - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates Britain’s most popular secret agent as our guest vocalists thrill you with the theme songs that form such an essential part of the ‘Bond experience’. Highlights to include music from Goldfinger, Licence to Kill, The Spy Who Loved Me, Diamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die, Dr.No, From Russia With Love and many more! Carl Davis Conductor with Mary Carewe and Simon Bowman, Vocalists and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Honor Blackman (Pussy Galore). Sunday 31 October 2010, 7.30pm. www.royalalberthall.com
- Nigel Kennedy Plays Vivaldi - 3 November at Royal Albert Hall. Buy tickets
- Andrea Bocelli - Andrea Bocelli returns to The O2 arena on 12 November 2010. Tickets go on sale Friday 4 November at 9am. www.theo2.co.uk
- London Jazz Festival - The London Jazz Festival returns to artsdepot for a fourth year. This season, we bring you a Django Reinhardt tribute from jazz guitar master John Etheridge, the big band sound of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, renowned alto saxophonist Gilad Atzmon and sultry songstress Natalie Williams. From 13 November until 20 November. www.artsdepot.co.uk