Wigmore Hall, the world’s leading venue for chamber music, has unveiled the full programme for its 125th anniversary season, running from 9 September 2025 to 31 July 2026. The milestone was presented in a public conversation between John Gilhooly, Director of Wigmore Hall, and broadcaster Samira Ahmed, with performances by Jeneba Kanneh-Mason and the Pavel Haas Quartet. The event is available to stream for free (embedded at the end of this article).
Over the course of nearly 600 concerts and events, the 2025/26 season brings together some of the most celebrated names in classical music, including pianists Martha Argerich, Mitsuko Uchida, Yunchan Lim, and Sir András Schiff; violinist Hilary Hahn; singers Lise Davidsen and Jakub Józef Orliński; and ensembles such as the Takács Quartet, Les Arts Florissants, and the Elias and Ébène quartets.
The season opens with performances by Matthias Goerne and Maria João Pires, and continues with major appearances from Christian Tetzlaff and Leif Ove Andsnes, Elisabeth Leonskaja, and jazz pianist Fred Hersch. Chamber music remains central to the programming, with Beethoven cycles, anniversaries, and landmark returns including that of baritone Christopher Maltman after more than a decade.
A key feature of the season is the two-week anniversary festival in May and June 2026, coinciding with the release of a new biography, There Is Sweet Music Here: The World of Wigmore Hall, by Julia Boyd. The festival features artists such as Igor Levit, Christian Tetzlaff, Abel Selaocoe, and William Christie leading Les Arts Florissants.
Wigmore Hall also pays tribute to British composer Rebecca Clarke on the centenary of her debut at the venue. A special Focus Day in November will include performances, premieres, and talks dedicated to her work.
New music plays a prominent role throughout the season, with premieres by Sally Beamish, Sir George Benjamin, Thomas Larcher, Donghoon Shin, and Rachel Portman. Thomas Larcher will also serve as composer-in-residence.
Beyond its artistic programme, Wigmore Hall announced the completion of its £10 million Director’s Fund, a major fundraising effort that secures long-term financial independence for the institution. A separate £500,000 grant from the AKO Foundation will allow the continuation of the Hall’s “£5 Tickets for Under 35s” initiative for five more years, bringing new generations into the concert hall.
In parallel, Wigmore Hall has formally distanced itself from Arts Council England, citing concerns over funding policy and institutional priorities. While this move has sparked debate in the UK arts scene, it underscores the Hall’s commitment to artistic excellence and institutional autonomy.
The full programme is now available on Wigmore Hall’s website , with general ticket sales opening on 23 April 2025.
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