It seems fitting that Beethoven composed his First Symphony at the dawn of a new century. Despite its homages to the older generation, it is very much a forward-looking work with its use of sudden and unexpected shifts in tonality, the inclusion of the not-yet-standard clarinets, and the more prominent use of the woodwind section at large that foreshadow Beethoven’s innovation to come.
Henk de Vlieger’s orchestral arrangement of Wagner’s Ring Cycle ingeniously boils down this monumental music drama in such a way as to create an unified, single symphonic work. The most important orchestral passages are seamlessly bolted together following the chronology of the operas so that the irrevocable process towards the twilight of the gods is clearly signposted. All of the best-known passages are included, among which are the Prelude, the Descent into Nibelheim, and the Entry into Valhalla from Das Rheingold, the Ride of the Valkyries and the Magic Fire Music from Die Walküre, Forest Murmurs and Brünnhilde’s Awakening from Siegfried, and Siegfried’s Rhine Journey and Siegfried’s Funeral Music from Götterdämmerung.
Beethoven Now
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.
Visit Beethoven Now for full details, ticketing information and how to book for Beethoven Now events.
Presented by Bristol Beacon
Mark Wigglesworth Conductor
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Programme
Beethoven Symphony No. 1
Wagner The Ring: An Orchestral Adventure
ONLINE PROGRAMME
An online programme is available containing programme notes and artist biography. It complements the printed freesheet which will be available on the night.
Event details
Format: Reserved seating for concert
Age: For all ages (Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult)
Pre-concert talk with Jonathan James
Lantern Hall, 18:00. Free with concert ticket. Unreserved seating (30 mins)
Performance times
Pre-concert talk: 18:00 – 18:30
Doors: 18:30
Start Time: 19:00
Interval: 19.35
Restart: 19.55
Finish: 21.15
All timings are approximate and subject to change
This event is supported by Irwin Mitchell. Providing expert legal advice to people and businesses at life’s most important moments – the ones you plan for, and the ones you don’t expect.
Did you know patients in the city’s central hospitals can listen to a live broadcast of this concert on Hospital Radio for Bristol? Find more info on how patients can tune in at bhbsradio.com
This is a programme…that stages music…of real orchestral adventure…Beethoven’s First Symphony…signals how adventurous and experimental Beethoven was as a composer and symphonist…Henk de Vlieger’s Orchestral Adventure [made from Wagner’s Ring Cycle]…creates…orchestral music that has this mysterious, mythic momentum.
Tom Service
Saver Seats
Grab yourself a surprise deal with £16 Saver Seats!
We have a limited number of Saver Seats for this concert.
The deal: Saver Seats cost £16 each and are your last minute ticket to tremendous music at a greatly reduced price.
The surprise: You won’t find out where you will be sitting until the night.
We don’t offer Saver Seats for every concert, but when we do, you’re in for a treat and could end up sitting in one of the best available seats on the night.
How to book:
- Click ‘book tickets’
- Select “Saver Seats”
- Proceed to checkout
- On the night of the event, visit Box Office from 17:30 with your order confirmation email to be allocated a seat. You will not receive your ticket in advance.
Terms and conditions
- Saver Seats are available to all, subject to availability.
- By purchasing a Saver Seat, you are not selecting a specific seat.
- Box Office will allocate Saver Seats from the remaining available seats from 17:30 on the evening of the concert, on a first come first served basis. We cannot allocate Saver Seats before this time and you will not receive your ticket in advance.
- It may not be possible to seat all of your Saver Seat tickets together.
- All other ticketing terms and conditions apply.
ACCESS CUSTOMERS: Please contact Box Office if you have any questions Tel. 0117 203 4040
Orchestral Ticket Prices
There are five price bands for every concert in the 2026/27 orchestral season: Premium and Bands A – D
Within price bands A-C, there are two types of ticket: Standard and Open Concession.
If you are under 26, there is a fixed ticket price available on a limited number of seats for every concert.
Premium
Standard: £58.00
Open Concession: n/a
Band A
Standard: £50.00
Open Concession: £45.00
Band B
Standard: £37.00
Open Concession: £32.00
Band C
Standard: £26.00
Open Concession: £21.00
Band D
Standard: £16.00
Open Concession: n/a
U26
Standard: £10.00
Open Concession: n/a
Ticket Offers
Orchestral Season Multibuy offer
Orchestral Season Multibuy offer
Save up to 30% on tickets
Buy 3 concerts save 10%
Buy 4-8 concerts save 20%
Buy 9-11 concerts save 25%
Buy 12+ concerts save 30%
Applies to Standard Price tickets only. To qualify for the discount, tickets for the corresponding number of concerts must be purchased in one transaction.
Manchester Collective Series
Manchester Collective Series
Save 10% – Multibuy offer
We’ve teamed up with St George’s Bristol to offer a discount if you attend both Manchester Collective concerts in the Glass Reframed series.
Buy both concerts and save 10% off your order.
Group Booking
Group Booking
Bring your friends and save!
Book 10+ tickets for any one concert in the season and save 10%
Book 20+ tickets and save 20%
Contact box office for more info on group booking.
Applies to Standard Price tickets only. To qualify for the discount, tickets for the corresponding number of concerts must be purchased in one transaction. The discount will be applied at checkout after entering your customer details.
Only one multibuy offer can be used when purchasing tickets. If you would like to take advantage of both our Manchester Collective multibuy offer and our Season multibuy offer, the best offer for you will be automatically applied at the time of purchase.
Pre-concert Talks
with Jonathan James
Lantern Hall (30 mins, unless otherwise advertised)
Free with a concert ticket
Hosted by conductor, music educator, writer and presenter Jonathan James, pre-concert talks are a great way to take a deep dive into the season’s concerts.
With his breadth of expertise and bags of enthusiasm, Jonathan introduces the works being performed, interviews members of the orchestras and demystifies the creative process.
You will be asked to display your ticket to gain admission to the talk. Please check the event page for pre-concert talk start times and location.
About Beacon Hall
Our flagship venue at Bristol Beacon
Seating plans
Seating plans
Beacon Hall has three levels that can be used in a seated or standing format. View seating plans, auditorium entrances and exits and accessible viewing areas.
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
Beacon Hall
at Bristol Beacon
Getting to the venue
Location: Beacon 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 in:
- row S in the centre of the rear Stalls (10 spaces)
- row Z in the left and right wings at the back of Lower Tier (4 spaces, 2 on each side),
- row Z on the right only at the back of Upper Tier (2 spaces)
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs and emotional support animals are allowed in the performance space. Seats in row F 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
Classical
Orchestral Season 2026/27
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
with Mark Wigglesworth