Classical Music
RuPaul's Drag Race star Thorgy Thor on injecting stuffy symphony orchestras with big queer energy
![RuPaul's Drag Race star Thorgy Thor](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Thorgy-Thor-e1719928357430.jpg?w=758)
RuPaul's Drag Race star Thorgy Thor on injecting stuffy symphony orchestras with big queer energy
'it was always inevitable that I'd end up front and centre in a loud costume!
Who is composer Fanny Mendelssohn? The musical sister finally being given her due
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1622_Music_064_Fanny-Watermill-Theatre_Pamela-Raith-Photography.jpg?w=768)
Who is composer Fanny Mendelssohn? The musical sister finally being given her due
After the pandemic years, audience are more appreciative of intimate musical experiences than ever
![Aurora Orchestra](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1619_Music_Aurora-Orchestra-Norwich-Cathedral-photo-by-Luke-Witcomb1.jpg?w=768)
After the pandemic years, audience are more appreciative of intimate musical experiences than ever
Purists might baulk, but Sam Smith headlining BBC Proms opens a pathway to classical music
Purists might baulk, but Sam Smith headlining BBC Proms opens a pathway to classical music
Jingoism of Rule, Britannia! has long felt shameful. Is it finally time for BBC Proms to axe it?
Jingoism of Rule, Britannia! has long felt shameful. Is it finally time for BBC Proms to axe it?
How a swanky London townhouse links composer Handel with Jimi Hendrix
![Handel’s bedroom in Brook Street, London](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1607_Music_Hero.jpg?w=768)
How a swanky London townhouse links composer Handel with Jimi Hendrix
Here's one they played earlier: Pre-recorded orchestras spell trouble for live performance
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1603_Music_Richter_2014_02_MR6418.jpg?w=768)
Here's one they played earlier: Pre-recorded orchestras spell trouble for live performance
How British composer Karl Jenkins brought the world together
![Karl Jenkins](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1600_Music_Karl-Jenkins-c-Rhys-Frampton05.jpg?w=768)
How British composer Karl Jenkins brought the world together
Why English National Opera relocating to Manchester will be more complicated than it looks
![ENO Ally Pally](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1541-Music_ENO.jpg?w=768)
Why English National Opera relocating to Manchester will be more complicated than it looks
Morton Feldman at the Tate Modern – an elegy for pioneering artist Philip Guston
![Morton Feldman's music being performed at the Tate Modern](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1597_Music_Tate-Lates-Nov-2023-Tate-Modern-©-Sophie-Shaw-11.jpg?w=768)
Morton Feldman at the Tate Modern – an elegy for pioneering artist Philip Guston
Earworms are the internal soundtrack of our lives. What's yours?
![A man playing a double bass](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Gavin-Bryars_Double-Bass_Alf-Solbakken.jpg?w=768)
Earworms are the internal soundtrack of our lives. What's yours?
Why renowned conductor John Eliot Gardiner has drawn comparisons with Lydia Tár
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1587_Music_edit-shutterstock_editorial_8307544c.jpg?w=768)
Why renowned conductor John Eliot Gardiner has drawn comparisons with Lydia Tár
How cutting-edge pianist Zubin Kanga is pushing classical music into the future
![Zubin Kanga in blue jacket and gloves under a pink light](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1583_Music_ZUBIN-KANGA-RAPHAEL-NEAL-18.jpg?w=768)
How cutting-edge pianist Zubin Kanga is pushing classical music into the future
Greek island of Lesbos holds spectacular and inclusive classical concert for asylum seekers
![People sit watching classical musicians on an outdoor stage](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ELI09799-1.jpg?w=768)
Greek island of Lesbos holds spectacular and inclusive classical concert for asylum seekers
The Ukrainian musicians fighting rocket attacks with rehearsals
![Ukranian Freedom Orchestra](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1579_Music_Sum_at_Snape_22-Ukrainian-Freedom-Orchestra.jpg?w=768)
The Ukrainian musicians fighting rocket attacks with rehearsals
Joseph Bologne and Karl Jenkins: Misrepresented composers, centuries apart
![Kelvin Harrison Jr as Joseph Bologne playing a violin](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/056_C-02342.jpg?w=768)
Joseph Bologne and Karl Jenkins: Misrepresented composers, centuries apart
Chi-chi Nwanoku: 'It should not be a novelty that there's more than one Black face on stage'
![Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE.](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1568_YS_Chi-chi-Nwanoku-CBE.jpg?w=768)
Chi-chi Nwanoku: 'It should not be a novelty that there's more than one Black face on stage'
Chi-chi Nwanoku: 'I was not interested in just playing music by our dead white friends'
![Chi-chi Nwanoku](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1568_YS_eyevine02186164.jpg?w=768)
Chi-chi Nwanoku: 'I was not interested in just playing music by our dead white friends'
Chevalier: Kelvin Harrison Jr on being a 'soldier' for overlooked Black history
![Kelvin J Harrison in Chevalier](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1567_Film_03_C-12153_RC-jpg.webp?w=768)
Chevalier: Kelvin Harrison Jr on being a 'soldier' for overlooked Black history
How classical music is finally taking Pride in its LGBT+ composers
![Pears and Britten outside Crag House with their dog Jove as a puppy. Photographer: unknown](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pears-and-Britten-outside-Crag-House-with-their-dog-Jove-as-a-puppy-Photographer-unknown-jpg.webp?w=768)
How classical music is finally taking Pride in its LGBT+ composers
Vivaldi's The Four Seasons reimagined by Michael Morpurgo and Daniel Pioro
![Daniel Pioro](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1564_Music_DANIEL-PIORO-by-RAPHAEL-NEAL-HD-03.jpg?w=768)
Vivaldi's The Four Seasons reimagined by Michael Morpurgo and Daniel Pioro
Classical pianist RIOPY says anyone can learn to play this anxiety-busting tune in less than an hour. Does it work?
![Pianist RIOPY has created a new work for Mental Health Awareness Week to help people cope with anxiety](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RIOPY.jpg?w=768)