Middlesbrough Town Hall and The Glasshouse announce new classical season featuring Royal Northern Sinfonia and Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Middlesbrough Town Hall and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music have announced a new Middlesbrough Classics season, bringing a year of live orchestral music to the town with performances...
Middlesbrough Town Hall and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music have announced a new Middlesbrough Classics season, bringing a year of live orchestral music to the town with performances from Royal Northern Sinfonia and a line-up of leading classical artists.
The 2026/27 season will take place across both Middlesbrough Town Hall and Middlesbrough Theatre, with concerts continuing across the town while restoration works take place at the Town Hall later in the season.
The season opens on 15 October 2026 with cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason performing Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto, conducted by Dinis Sousa, Music Director of Royal Northern Sinfonia. One of the UK’s most in-demand classical musicians, Sheku will perform alongside Royal Northern Sinfonia in a programme that also includes music from Grieg’s Peer Gynt and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 3.
On 11 November 2026, clarinettist Julian Bliss joins Royal Northern Sinfonia for Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, alongside Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and his Symphony No. 4 ‘Italian’.
Handel’s Messiah will return to Middlesbrough Town Hall on 12 December 2026, conducted by Sofi Jeannin and featuring Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia alongside soloists Hilary Cronin, Helen Charlston, Benjamin Hulett and Luthando Qave.
The season then moves to Middlesbrough Theatre on 24 February 2027, where violinist Anthony Marwood directs and performs Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence, alongside music by Janáček and Mendelssohn.
On 18 March 2027, Royal Northern Sinfonia performs An Evening of English Classics, featuring Vaughan Williams’ much-loved The Lark Ascending alongside music by Elgar, Britten, Holst and Butterworth.
The season concludes on 27 May 2027 with An Evening of Mozart Gems, directed by Artistic Partner of The Glasshouse, Maria Włoszczowska. Joined by Royal Northern Sinfonia, she will lead an all-Mozart programme featuring the popular ‘Turkish’ Violin Concerto alongside Symphony No. 29 and the Divertimento in B flat major.
James Thomas, Executive Director, Royal Northern Sinfonia and Classical Music at The Glasshouse, said:
“This season showcases an outstanding line-up of internationally acclaimed artists alongside some of the most iconic and best-loved works in classical music, performed by Royal Northern Sinfonia. Featuring leading names including Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Sofi Jeannin, Julian Bliss and Anthony Marwood, the programme offers audiences an exciting and diverse range of concerts to enjoy across the year.
We are also committed to ensuring that live orchestral music continues to play a vital role in Middlesbrough while the Town Hall undergoes its restoration. We look forward to connecting with audiences across a range of venues, maintaining a vibrant cultural presence in the town throughout the season.”
Maria Włoszczowska, Artistic Partner of The Glasshouse, said:
“Royal Northern Sinfonia really belongs to the region. Being able to bring this music to Middlesbrough is about making world‑class orchestral performances feel close, welcoming and part of everyday life. We’re building something long‑term, where audiences feel connected to the orchestra and are excited to come back again.”
Kesia Bruce, Strategic Venues Manager for Middlesbrough Council, said:
“We’re pleased to partner with The Glasshouse for another classical season, bringing world-class orchestral music to Middlesbrough and the wider Tees Valley.
“As well as the performances in Middlesbrough Town Hall’s main concert hall, the 2026-27 season features three performances in Middlesbrough Theatre, offering a more intimate experience for audiences to enjoy. We want classical music to be accessible to all, and as such offer a range of price points and offers for people to take advantage of.”
Tickets for the live orchestral concert season at Middlesbrough Town Hall are £18.50, £23.50 or £29.50. Tickets at Middlesbrough Theatre are £25. All tickets will be available to purchase via www.boxoffice.middlesbrough.
Under 30s tickets will be available from £10 and first-time concertgoers can grab a ticket for £5, making it easier than ever to experience live orchestral music in Middlesbrough.
Audiences can save up to 10% or 20% by booking multiple concerts in the season.
-ENDS-
Press enquiries:
Laura Hutchinson, Media & PR Manager at The Glasshouse:
laura.hutchinson@
Listings
Middlesbrough Town Hall
www.boxoffice.middlesbrough.
Thursday 15 October 2026, 7.30pm
Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays Saint-Saëns
Edvard Grieg Incidental Music from Peer Gynt
Camille Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1
Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 3
Dinis Sousa conductor
Sheku Kanneh-Mason cello
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Wednesday 11 November 2026, 7.30pm
Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto
Felix Mendelssohn The Hebrides Overture ‘Fingal’s Cave’
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Clarinet Concerto
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Chaconne from Idomeneo
Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 ‘Italian’
Ana María Patiño-Osorio conductor
Julian Bliss clarinet
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Saturday 12 December 2026, 3pm
Handel’s Messiah
Sofi Jeannin conductor
Hilary Cronin soprano
Helen Charlston mezzo soprano
Benjamin Hulett tenor
Luthando Qave baritone
Tim Burke chorus director
Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Middlesbrough Theatre
www.boxoffice.middlesbrough.
Wednesday 24 February 2027,7.30pm
Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence
Leoš Janáček Suite for String Orchestra
Felix Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in D minor
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence
Anthony Marwood director/violin
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Thursday 18 March 2027, 7.30pm
An Evening of English Classics
Edward Elgar Serenade for Strings
Ralph Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Benjamin Britten Simple Symphony
Gustav Holst St. Paul’s Suite
George Butterworth The Banks of Green Willow
Ralph Vaughan Williams Lark Ascending
Thursday 27 May 2027, 7.30pm
An Evening of Mozart Gems
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Divertimento in B flat major, K137
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 ‘Turkish’
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 29
Maria Włoszczowska director/violin
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Internationally renowned, calling Gateshead home.
37 musicians at the top of their game. Electrifying music, old and new. All the talent, determination and creativity of the North East on a worldwide stage. From their home at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Royal Northern Sinfonia share the joy and wonder of orchestral music with thousands of people across the North of England – and beyond – every year.
From symphonies to string quartets, film soundtracks to choral masses, and original performances with awesome artists from Sheku Kanneh-Mason to Self Esteem, the orchestra’s members have got one of the most varied jobs there is. They’re always looking for fresh new sounds from up-and-coming composers, inviting local communities to share a stage, and doing everything they can to inspire and prepare the musicians of tomorrow to one day take their place.
They’re also working hard to smash the barriers that can stop brilliant people getting into classical music. They’ve teamed up with national partners to support women conductors to develop their careers, to help global majority musicians get vital experience in the orchestra world, and to celebrate disabled and non-disabled musicians breaking new ground together in RNS Moves. And they bring new musical opportunities to the region, headlining the first-ever BBC Proms weekend outside London.
Because they whole-heartedly believe orchestral music is for anyone – big cities and tiny villages, brand-new babies and life-long listeners, die-hard fans and curious minds – they travel far and wide to make sure there’s top-notch classical music on offer for anyone ready to say, “I’ll give that a go”. You’ll find them in churches, castles, and community venues across the North, as well as spearheading concert seasons in Carlisle, Kendal, Middlesbrough, and Sunderland.
With 65 years of success to build on, they’ve signed a dynamic young artistic leadership -Music Director Dinis Sousa, Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska and Principal Guest Conductor Nil Venditti – to lead the way into a bold, bright future.
Wherever the orchestra play and whoever they share a stage with, every performance is a chance to see, hear and feel the music.
About The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a home for live music lovers.
It’s a place where you can hear rock legends or pop icons on the same night as folk trios or string quartets. Where new musicians are nurtured and showcased on the same stages as platinum-selling performers. And where youth choirs and tambourine-shaking toddlers practise in the same spaces as its acclaimed orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia.
Because as an international centre for music they’re focused on creating and celebrating outstanding music – whether that’s unearthing or growing talent from the region or bringing the world’s best artists to their stages. And as a charity they’re focused on making sure all of that is available to anyone – no matter where you’re from, how old you are, how much money you have, or what challenges you face.
Which is why every year more than 2 million people are able to join for top-notch gigs, concerts, and classes – in their venue at Gateshead Quays, out in communities across the North East, and through livestreamed performances and digital lessons.
Whether you’re making it up or taking it in, you’ll find music lives and grows there.
More about The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
- Since opening in 2004, The Glasshouse has hosted over 10,000 performances, welcoming nearly 5 million audience members and a total of 8 million visitors through its doors. It would take more than 27 years to see every show if you attended one every day.
- Over two decades, the charity has delivered around 233,000 music lessons, reaching young people and adults 2.8 million times across its education programmes (1.8 million of which were young people).
- As its resident orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia has toured globally, performing across four continents and livestreaming to audiences across five. Royal Northern Sinfonia also continues to bring world-class music to communities across the country, with 58% of performances in “levelling up for culture” areas.
- The Glasshouse has supported the careers of thousands of artists like Ward Thomas who have worked their way from free stages to headline shows in its main auditorium, achieving national and global recognition.
- A recent report quantified its annual social value through education, inclusion and community programmes at £14.1 million.
- Since 2004, The Glasshouse has welcomed over 400,000 delegates for conferences and events, hosting organisations such as Greggs, NHS, and British Engines. Through conferences and events it has generated £10.6 million, helping to fund the venue and support live music and education programmes.
- Over the past two decades, The Glasshouse has generated £681.2million to the UK economy with £38.6m each year in ongoing impact. It supports 700 jobs directly and indirectly.
- The iconic building, designed by Foster + Partners, has 630 panes of glass and stands 40 metres tall. In its opening year, it was exhibited at the Venice Biennale and won the RIBA Inclusive Design Award in 2005.
Celebrating 20 years – In December 2024, The Glasshouse marked its 20th birthday. Over the next year, the charity will reflect on two decades of achievements and look ahead to its third decade, with major initiatives like the Music Academy and Music Pass for newborns, making music accessible to all.
