Some concerts are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The London Symphony Orchestra’s Gala Concert at St Paul’s Cathedral with conductor Sir Simon Rattle leading the way, is just that…

Photo: GETTY

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is set to play Berlioz’s Grande symphonie funèbre et triomphale under the ancient roof of St Paul’s this June as a Gala fundraiser event.

More than 100 musicians will perform the symphony which the LSO’s acclaimed Music Director Sir Simon Rattle describes as ‘towering monument in sound’. He adds that the ‘symphony was written to be performed in an enormous public space and scored for a small army of marching musicians’, so London’s most grandiose Cathedral seems a fitting choice of venue.

London Symphony Orchestra’s Gala Concert, St Paul’s Cathedral. Photo: LSO

This is the first time Sir Simon Rattle will perform in the mighty St Paul’s Cathedral, and the concert marks the start of his final year as Music Director of the LSO, before he becomes Conductor Emeritus in London, and takes up the role of Conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, in Munich, in 2023.

For Sir Simon Rattle, performing in St Paul’s Cathedral has been a dream for as long as he can remember. He describes the forthcoming performance as ‘a huge privilege for all of us, adding: ‘For so many reasons, this concert has special meaning. Bringing thousands of people together in hope with the power of music as the great convenor.’

While you can buy tickets for just the concert and soak up the atmosphere, you can also make your evening even more special by attending the black tie Gala Dinner afterwards.

Dinner guests will start the evening off with a champagne reception in the cathedral’s elegant Nelson Chamber, and then enjoy the best seats in the house for the concert.

After, dinner guests will descend into the cathedral’s beautiful crypt for a three-course dinner with live music performed by LSO musicians.

The Gala will raise money for LSO’s Always Playing Appeal which was launched in autumn 2020 to support the orchestra’s return to live performance during the pandemic.

The Arts were among the industries which were hit hardest by the crisis, and the appeal was set up to re-build, protect and sustain the orchestra’s musicians, and to build on the digital innovation which helps share LSO music to people across the world.

Tickets to the London Symphony Orchestra’s Gala Concert are on sale now.

Date: Thursday, June, 23
Time: 7pm-9pm
Tickets: from £25-£100
Address: St Paul’s Cathedral
Website: lso.co.uk