Marking the bicentenary of Beethoven’s death in March 1827, this season Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Mark Wigglesworth begin a chronological journey through Beethoven’s symphonies. Eight concerts will span the 2026/27 season and the first half of 2027/28.
In addition to their performances of the symphonies, the BSO will host a series of special events across this and next season engaging with Beethoven beyond the music – through performance, discussion, and debate. The first session explores Beethoven the man, the second looks at his music, and the third asks what role Beethoven plays in society today.
Beethoven: the Man
Hosted by Tom Service, the day will offer unique insights into why Beethoven has such universal appeal and timeless significance.
Beethoven’s life will be illustrated by readings from his letters accompanied by excerpts from his string quartets.
Percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie will help us understand more about the musical and social implications of deafness and there will be a performance by BSO Resound, the BSO’s disabled led ensemble.
The afternoon will end with an ‘Any Questions’ debate chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby.
Approximate schedule:
1.30pm Performance of extracts of Beethoven quartets accompanied by readings of Beethoven letters
2.30pm Break
2.45pm Dame Evelyn Glennie in conversation with Mark Wigglesworth
4.00pm BSO Resound performance
4.30pm Any Questions with Jonathan Dimbleby
Presented by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Format: Reserved seating
Age: For all ages (Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult)
Performance times
Doors: 13:00
Start: 13:30
End: 17:30
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Ticket prices
All ticket prices include booking fee.
Full price
£13.68
Under 26
£11.40
About the project
Road to Joy
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth present Road to Joy, an 18-month journey through Beethoven’s symphonies marking the bicentenary of the composer’s death in 1827.
Across eight concerts during the 2026/27 Orchestral Season and into 2027/28, audiences will experience the extraordinary evolution of Beethoven’s music — from the youthful brilliance of the First Symphony to the visionary power of the Ninth. Revolutionary, emotional and deeply human, Beethoven’s symphonies continue to speak across generations, offering music of courage, hope and joy that remains as urgent and inspiring today as ever.
Beethoven Now
As part of Road to Joy, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven Now — a series of special events exploring Beethoven beyond the concert hall through discussion, debate and live performance.
Featuring guest speakers and cultural contributors, the sessions examine Beethoven’s life, music and continuing influence on society today. Across three themed events, audiences will discover the man behind the music, explore the revolutionary impact of his symphonies, and consider why Beethoven’s ideas and artistic vision remain powerfully relevant nearly 200 years after his death.
An opportunity to engage in what Beethoven means to us now, through performance, conversation, and debate… to ask why he, his music, and his relationship to others has a timeless and universal relevance to who we are today.
Mark Wigglesworth
Events in the project
Beethoven Now
Classical
Talk/Lecture
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Beethoven: the Man
Beethoven Now
Classical
Talk/Lecture
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Beethoven: the Music
Beethoven Now
Classical
Talk/Lecture
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Beethoven: in Society
Beethoven Now
Beethoven: The Symphonies
(4 events)
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
with Mark Wigglesworth
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
with Mark Wigglesworth and Boris Giltburg
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
with Mark Wigglesworth
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
with Mark Wigglesworth and Sunwook Kim
About Lantern Hall
Bristol’s home of dazzling new music
Seating plans
Seating plans
Lantern Hall is a performance space with a flat floor that can be used in a seated or standing format. To find out more detail about our seating plans, auditorium entrances and exits and accessible viewing areas, view our seating plan page.
Venue information
Venue information
Take a closer look at our beautifully restored venue, see what’s on and view detailed information about the performance space.
The venue
Lantern Hall
at Bristol Beacon
Getting to the venue
Location: Lantern Hall is located within Bristol Beacon. Head to Level 1 and follow signs to find the auditorium.
Address: Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR
Bicycle
Bicycle racks can be found in front of the main entrance on Trenchard Street, Colston Street, and on the city centre promenade. Find your nearest cycle routes using Cycle Planner.
Car parking
Trenchard Street multi-storey car park is 200m away, directly behind Bristol Beacon.
Bristol Clean Air Zone
Bristol Beacon is inside the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Check if your vehicle will be charged and how much you’ll have to pay.
Bus
Most bus services stop in and around the city centre promenade, 250m from Bristol Beacon.
Access
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users are available within the first 10 rows on the flat floor of the Hall.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs and emotional support animals are allowed in the performance space. Seats in rows AA-J on the flat floor are most suitable. If you prefer, you can leave your animal with a member of staff during the performance.
Hearing Facility
A Sennheiser MobileConnect assistive listening system is installed in the venue. Download the free App and use your own mobile device and headphones to listen to the performance. (Devices are available on request.)
Eat & Drink
Eat & Drink
We’ve got plenty of places for you to relax and refill. From coffee and cake, to delicious sharing boards, to full menus.
More from 2026/27 Orchestral Season
2026/27 Orchestral Season
The joy of live music for everyone
19 dazzling concerts from iconic orchestras including our Orchestra in Residence, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. International ensembles from Strasbourg and Düsseldorf, plus ensembles from around the UK including Scottish Ensemble, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Paraorchestra, Sinfonia of London, Manchester Collective, London Symphony Orchestra and Ex Cathedra Choir & Baroque Orchestra.
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
with Mark Wigglesworth
Classical
Folk
Orchestral Season 2026/27
Scottish Ensemble and Brìghde Chaimbeul
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
London Symphony Orchestra
with Sir Antonio Pappano and Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
with Mark Wigglesworth and Boris Giltburg
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
2027 New Year’s Viennese Gala
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
BBC Concert Orchestra: Friday Night is Music Night
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
Manchester Collective - Glass Reframed I
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg
with Aziz Shokhakimov and Maria Ioudenitch
Select a date
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13:30