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Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

First performed: Sun 18 August 2024

Watch Aurora mark the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony with a signature memorised presentation and performance at the 2024 BBC Proms.

Beethoven’s final symphony is also his most powerful – a manifesto for social change, political upheaval and the limitless possibilities of human artistic expression. In collaboration with the BBC Singers, the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Actor Rhiannon May and Actor/BSL Interpreter Thomas Simper, we celebrate joy and hope composed in the midst of hearing loss, illness and personal tragedy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Music and emotion made electrifyingly visual.”
(Erica Jeal, Guardian)

Watch Beethoven’s Ninth Unwrapped on BBC iPlayer now.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This performance of the composer’s last complete symphony couldn’t be bettered.”
(Rebecca Franks, The Times)

Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha soprano
Marta Fontanals-Simmons
 mezzo-soprano
Brenden Gunnell tenor
Christopher Purves baritone
Nicholas Collon conductor

BBC Singers
National Youth Choir

Aurora Orchestra

Rhiannon May actor
Tom Simper actor/BSL interpreter

Co-directed by Jane MitchellJames Bonas and Matthew Eberhardt
Concept and script by Jane Mitchell

Deaf consultants Lisa Kelly and Ruth Montgomery

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “An extraordinary, genuinely unforgettable evening.”
(Sebastian Scotney, The Arts Desk)

Behind the scenes

Images © Sisi Burn

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A joyous and fascinating look into a piece of music many of us take from granted.”
(Louise Penn, Broadway World)