Lessons in Love and Violence
Sir George Benjamin and Martin Crimp’s gripping opera never lets up – the London Philharmonic Orchestra brings it to our stage in a one-off concert performance.
A king, a queen; his favourite and her lover.
Power and sex are a dangerous combination, and when the rulers of medieval England played the game of thrones, they either won or they died.
The life of King Edward II inspired Marlowe’s classic tragedy, but George Benjamin and Martin Crimp turn it inside out, in an opera that exposes the raw emotions of four characters locked in a deadly embrace.
This is Lessons in Love and Violence, and it caused a sensation when it opened at the Royal Opera in 2018. Edward Gardner has assembled a world-beating cast for this one-off concert performance.
Performers
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Edward Gardner
Nathaniel Sullivan baritone, King
Gyula Orendt baritone, Gaveston
Georgia Jarman soprano, Isabel
Toby Spence tenor, Mortimer
James Way tenor, Young King
Hannah Sawle soprano, Witness 1, Singer 1, Woman 1
Joanne Evans mezzo-soprano, Witness 2, Singer 2, Woman 2
Andri Björn Róbertsson bass-baritone, Witness 3, Madman
Repertoire
George Benjamin: Lessons in love and violence - opera in 2 parts (semi-staged)
Need to know
Reviews
‘A beautiful, brutal and memorable piece of art’Seen and Heard International
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
25 Nov 2026, 7.30pm
Run time
1 hour and 40 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £17 + £4 booking fee
Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
Concessions
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Refunds and exchanges
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Multi-buy Autumn/Winter 26/27 discount
3 – 4 events: 10% discount
5 – 7 events: 15% discount
8 – 10 events: 20% discount
11 – 14 events: 25% discount
15+ events: 30% discount
Discounts apply to selected events, September 2026 – January 2027 inclusive. Offer can’t be combined with the Spring/Summer 2026 multi-buy.
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For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
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The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
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