On Tuesday September 8, world renowned conductor Sir Simon Rattle will be returning to Birmingham for a major musical performance at the Symphony Hall.
Rattle, once appointed musical director and artistic advisor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, is considered a leading figure in British music and his influence played a significant role in the city's decision to build a state of the art concert hall. Since it opened, the Birmingham Symphony Hall is said to be one of – if not the – acoustically finest of its type in the world.
Sir Simon will be heading back to the city to launch the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Birmingham International Concert Season, leading a performance by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra of Elgar's 'The Dream of Geronitus'.
They will be joined by distinguished mezzo-soprano (and Sir Simon's wife) Magdalena Kožená, tenor Toby Spence and baritone Roderick Williams. There will also be a performance from the BBC Proms Youth Choir.
This anniversary has also prompted to a nostalgic look back at the construction of the Symphony Hall, Sir Simon's history with the venue and some of the illustrious guests who have visited since it was first opened by the Queen in 1991. Take a look at some of the photos in the slideshow above.
Sir Simon RattleJohann Sebastian Hanel
Birmingham International Concert Season presents: Sir Simon Rattle conducts 'The Dream of Gerontius'. Birmingham Symphony Hall, Tuesday September 8, 7.30pm. Tickets available from the Town Hall Symphony Hall website.
For more events in Birmingham, take a look at our music and nightlife listings.