Stravinsky's The Firebird
Conductor Vasily Petrenko leads the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Eric Lu in Grieg’s Piano Concerto before conjuring Stravinsky’s irresistible fairy tale.
The darkness lies heavily on the demon-king Kastchei’s shadow kingdom – so heavily that you can almost hear it and feel the air shimmer.
Suddenly, there’s a flash, and with a dazzling cascade of sound, the adventure begins.
Stravinsky’s The Firebird is one of the great musical fairy tales; a story that Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are delighted to retell tonight.
And there’s a reason why Grieg’s Piano Concerto is one of the world’s favourites, too. Melodies this good always feel fresh, and never fresher than when they’re played by Eric Lu, the winner of the 2025 Chopin Piano Competition, who’s taking the world by storm.
First, though, ancient passions burn beneath the tranquillity of the English countryside in Butterworth’s haunting rhapsody. This should be something special.
Performers
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko conductor
Eric Lu piano
Repertoire
Butterworth: A Shropshire Lad
Grieg: Piano Concerto
Interval
Stravinsky: The Firebird, Suite (1945)
Need to know
Box package
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Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
16 Jan 2027, 7.30pm
Run time
1 hour and 50 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £18 + £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 Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
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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.
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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.
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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.