While you will want more opportunities to talk to your date during your first few meetings, after getting to know your partner a bit, a night of classical music can make for a very pleasant date. After all, there will be plenty of chance for the conversation to continue over a drink afterwards.
Fortunately, in London we are spoiled for choice when it comes to classical music venues. So without further ado, here are a few ideas of some excellent locations in which to listen to live classical musical in the capital. Explore the options below or let us know your favourite venues by leaving a comment at the end of the article.
1. Cadogan Hall
Cadogan Hall seems to have packed a lot of heritage into 10 years. Despite being a relatively new classical music venue, it doesn’t feel that way. The fact that the 900-seat hall is home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra probably helps with that.
The former church ceased to hold services in 1996 and reopened as a concert hall in 2004.
2. St Martin-in-the-Fields
A reliable, regular venue for classical music concerts, St Martin-in-the-Fields is a great date idea for classical music. There are a wide array of concerts on offer, ranging from full orchestral performances in the evening to free lunchtime concerts, which are great to pop along to during the working day.
You can also think of St Martin-in-the-Fields as being the most prominent example of a London church that also serves as a venue for classical music and orchestras. Lots of other churches throughout the capital do something similar on a smaller scale, so it is always worth keeping an eye on what’s going on at churches near you.
3. Royal Festival Hall
The Royal Festival Hall, at the Southbank Centre, frequently hosts classical musical concerts. In fact, they often have entire classical music seasons, which means there is a succession of excellent events from which you can choose the best one for your date. Resident orchestras include London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta and the Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Purcell Room, also at the Southbank Centre, deserves an honourable mention at this point. It often holds smaller classical concerts, too.
4. Barbican
Its iconic brutalist architecture might not immediately evoke thoughts of classical music, but the the Barbican is undoubtedly one of London’s best classical music venues. In fact, it is home to the London Symphony Orchestra.
The main hall, which holds 2,000 people, is famed for its crisp and clear acoustics, which belie the size of the venue and will ensure you hear the music being played crystal clear.
5. Royal Albert Hall
The 5,272-capacity South Kensington venue is intrinsically linked with classical music in the public consciousness courtesy of its long association with the Proms.
But the Royal Albert Hall’s classical offering goes beyond those headline occasions, with classical events of all sizes running throughout the year. For instance, at the opposite end of the scale from the Last Night of the Proms are the classical coffee mornings the venue hosts, usually featuring one or two soloists and held in the appropriately named Elgar Room.
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If you like the idea of classical music dates but haven’t got anyone to go with, feel free to get in touch and we’ll endeavour to match you with like-minded souls.
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