Following the success of last year’s BMW LSO Open Air Classics event, the London Symphony Orchestra will return to Trafalgar Square to give another free performance this May. Last year’s concert of works by Stravinsky, led by principal conductor Valery Gergiev, attracted an audience of up to 10,000. This year, Gergiev will return to the podium on Spring Bank Holiday Monday (May 27, 6.30pm) to conduct an all-Berlioz programme including Le corsaire Overture and Symphonie fantastique.

There will also be a specially arranged version of Symphonie fantastique by Gareth Glyn involving 80 young musicians, including conservatoire students and LSO On Track young musicians from LSO Discovery - the orchestra’s music education and community programme – who will play alongside LSO musicians.

In a similar set up to last year, large screens will be mounted on either side of the stage, providing a close-up view of the players for all audience members.

‘I am delighted to return to Trafalgar Square with the London Symphony Orchestra after our outstanding success last year,’ said Gergiev. ‘Performing Berlioz’s brilliant Symphonie fantastique to a vast crowd of every age in one of London’s iconic locations is again a unique opportunity to reach a new audience beyond the concert hall. The inspired partnership of BMW and the LSO has created the experience of the music of a great orchestra free, for everyone – I am thrilled.’

For more information visit BMW Open Air Classics on the LSO website.