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Bristol
Beacon

The Planets

Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra, City of Bristol Choir & Exultate Singers

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A glowing, silver planet surrounded by swirling galaxies.

Three of Bristol’s leading ensembles collaborate for an unforgettable concert in our transformed venue’s opening season, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Gustav Holst’s birth with a performance of one of the most famous of all orchestral works.

The Planets Suite brings to life the character of our galaxy through sound, each movement depicting a planet of our solar system. From the relentless march of war-like Mars to the sweeping and expansive theme that identifies Jupiter, the work ends sublimely with the orchestra accompanied by a wordless chorus of sopranos and altos spaced around the auditorium embracing the audience in the mystical sounds of Neptune.

First performed in Gloucester Cathedral in 1950, Intimations of Immortality by Gerald Finzi is a setting of a poem by William Wordsworth. The words passionately describe a heavenly vision of nature, expressing how the beauty and joy of the natural world can ignite memories of our childhood and make connections to our own souls and lives. Internationally renowned tenor James Gilchrist sings the solo in this rarely-performed masterpiece.

Completing the programme is Earth by TV and film composer Hans Zimmer. This piece is a celebration for choir and orchestra of the beautiful planet we live on. With his trademark sense of scale and drama, the composer perfectly captures the majesty and beauty of our home, as if seen from space.

Presented by Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra

Tim Harrison Conductor
David Ogden Conductor
James Gilchrist Tenor
Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra
City of Bristol Choir
Exultate Singers

 

Programme

Gustav Holst The Planets Suite
Gerald Finzi Intimations of Immortality
Hans Zimmer Earth

 

Format: Reserved seating

U26 concession: Half price for all ticket types

Age: 7+

Doors: 18:30
Start: 19:00
Interval: 19.55
Second half: 20.20
Finish: 21:30

All timings are approximate and subject to change

“A powerful new musical landscape – so powerful, indeed, that almost nobody else has been able to follow up on its expressive possibilities.”

Classical.net

About Beacon Hall

Our new flagship venue at Bristol Beacon

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.

View detailed travel information

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),
  • rows G/H on the left 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.)

View detailed access information

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