Classical Music

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Glyndebourne Festival
Admittedly in Sussex, but an excuse to dress up in a tux, join the best-dressed train passengers in England and enjoy a picnic in the grounds of Glyndebourne. Oh, nearly forgot, and to watch opera, too. The highlight of the season? The seventy-fifth anniversary celebration concert (June 18) featuring a long list of Glyndebourne artists past and present, with Glyndebourne’s Music Director Vladimir Jurowski conducting.
Glyndebourne, East Sussex, Lewes, BN8 5UU (01273 813813/www.glyndebourne.com/operas/festival_2009). May 21-Aug 30.

Spitalfields Festival
Based at Christ Church, Spitalfields, but stretching into venues in the City and down to Wilton’s Music Hall near Aldgate, this annual festival mixes Shoreditch cool with serious classical.
Various venues in Spitalfields. (7377 1362/www.spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk). June 7-19.

City of London Festival
The City opens up its wonderful buildings and churches to host this annual celebration. Based on the theme of 60 degrees latitude, the music is linked through the countries falling in this circumference, from Kirkwall, Orkney to St Petersburg, Russia. Various venues in the City. (0845 1207502/www.colf.org). June 19-July 9.

BBC Proms
Seventy-six concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, plus 12 chamber recitals at Cadogan Hall and one Prom in the Park in Hyde Park. Too many big names to mention (www.bbc.co.uk/proms).
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP (0845 401 5045/www.royalalberthall.com)and Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ (7730 4500/www.cadoganhall.com). July 17-Sept 12.
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