LA Phil to Met Opera: the best free classical music streams this week

26 May 2020, 14:20 | Updated: 26 May 2020, 17:01

As the doors to many of the world’s most iconic music venues remain closed, here are some of the best free online opera and classical concerts to keep you entertained this week.

From Baroque recitals to Berlioz, there are some spectacular broadcasts coming your way over the next few days, helping to satisfy those classical music cravings amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The New York Metropolitan Opera is continuing its free virtual streams for the eleventh week, which will be taking place daily at 7.30pm EDT (00.30pm BST) and available to watch for 23 hours afterwards (see below).

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Philharmonic Principal Guest Conductor, Susanna Mälkki, will be giving us an insight into some of her best-loved classical masterpieces, from the comfort of her own home.

Read on for this week’s full roundup...

Click here to view the NHS’s latest coronavirus advice >

Read more: London’s Southbank Centre at risk of closing until ‘at least April 2021’ >

The Metropolitan Opera Trailer

Tuesday 26 May

Jennifer Pike in concert – the virtuoso violinist performs Adam Jarzębski’s Concerto Primo at Wigmore Hall on Polish Music Day 2017, alongside Mahan Esfahani, Guy Johnston, Andrew Skidmore and Elizabeth Kenny.
Available: At 4pm BST
Visit: Facebook

Wednesday 27 May

‘At Home With... Susanna Mälkki’ – Los Angeles Philharmonic presents the latest episode of its at-home series, featuring Mälkki as this week’s special guest. The Finnish conductor will be reflecting on her favourite music and personal experience of our current environment.
Available: From 6pm to 7pm EDT (11pm BST)
Listen: kusc.org

Thursday 28 May

Brahms’ German Requiem – Starring Sally Matthews, Ekaterina Gubanova, Kostas Smoriginas, Christopher Maltman, London Symphony Chorus, Simon Halsey and London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Valery Gergiev.
Available: 7.30pm BST (14.30 EDT)
Visit: YouTube/LSO

The Met Opera 2018

Friday 29 May

Bellini’s La Sonnambula – Starring Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Flórez, and conducted by Evelino Pidò, from 21 March 21, 2009.
Available: From 7.30pm EDT (00.30pm BST), for 23 hours.
Visit: metopera.org and Met Opera on Demand app

Saturday 30 May

Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore – Starring Pretty Yende, Matthew Polenzani, Davide Luciano, and Ildebrando D’Arcangelo, conducted by Domingo Hindoyan, from 10 February 10, 2018.
Available: From 7.30pm EDT (00.30pm BST), for 23 hours.
Visit: metopera.org and Met Opera on Demand app

Sunday 31 May

Berlioz’ The Damnation of Faust – Starring Karen Cargill, Bryan Hymel, Christopher Purves, Gábor Bretz, London Symphony Chorus, Tiffin Boys’ Choir, Tiffin Girls’ Choir, Tiffin Children’s Chorus, Simon Halsey and London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.
Available: 7.30pm BST (14.30 EDT)
Visit: YouTube/LSO