Mahler 8
With Tom Morris and Edward Gardner, the London Philharmonic Orchestra presents a supernova performance of Mahler’s colossal symphony to set the heavens ringing.
Three choirs, eight starry singers and one of the largest orchestras ever put on stage: there’s a reason why Mahler’s Eighth is often called the ‘Symphony of a Thousand’.
The form of the piece, setting the candescent medieval poem Veni Creator Spiritus alongside the lyrical last scene of Goethe’s Faust is in itself radical and mysterious.
At the core of the piece is a vast choir who seem to represent the whole human race in a passionate prayer for change but Mahler imagined they stood for something even greater: ‘Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound,’ he challenged. ‘There are no longer human voices, but planets and suns revolving.’
Exaggeration? Judge for yourself. Mahler’s Eighth Symphony is quite simply one of the most overwhelming experiences that music has to offer, and here it’s made even more staggering by a creative team headed up by director Tom Morris, with video design by Tal Rosner and lighting by Ben Ormerod.
This concert has been specially developed with the Southbank Centre. It is commissioned and produced by the Southbank Centre and London Philharmonic Orchestra, and generously supported by a group of individual donors.
Performers
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Edward Gardner conductor
Sarah Wegener soprano, Magna Peccatrix
Emma Bell soprano, Una Poenitentium, Gretchen
Jennifer France soprano, Mater Gloriosa
Christine Rice mezzo-soprano, Mulier Samaritana
Jennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano, Maria Aegyptiaca
Andrew Staples tenor, Doctor Marianus, *
Tommi Hakala bass-baritone, Pater Ecstaticus, *
Derek Welton bass-baritone, Pater Profundus
London Philharmonic Choir
London Symphony Chorus
Tiffin Boys' Choir
Repertoire
Mahler: Symphony No.8 (Symphony of a Thousand) (semi-staged)
Need to know
* Please note change of artist from originally advertised
Creative team
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Edward Gardner: conductor*
Tom Morris: director
Tal Rosner: video artist
Ben Ormerod: lighting design
Oscar Simms: Associate Director
Tim Claydon: movement consultant
Gillian Moore: musical dramaturgy
Video team
Arthur Skinner: programmer
Dale Croft, Darren Culley: additional animation
Kieth Ingram: live action DoP
Sean Monroe: camera assistant
Antonia Bain: live action producer
Tristan Sturrock: Faust
With thanks to Tali Oiver and Scottish Opera
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.