London: Orchestra Unwrapped
Artists
Matthew Lynch – conductor
Lucy Drever – presenter
Programme
Mozart Overture, Don Giovanni
Beethoven Symphony No. 5 (1st movement)
Stravinsky The Firebird Suite (1919) (Finale)
Elgar Enigma Variations (Theme, IV, XI, VII)
Ortiz Papalotes
Shigihara Grasswalk from Plants vs. Zombies
Silvestri The Avengers (Theme)
Bizet Carmen Suite (Les Toreadors)
Music, Identity and Legacy: the Philharmonia’s 80th birthday!
The theme of the 2025/26 Orchestra Unwrapped concerts is centered around the history of the Philharmonia Orchestra, which was founded in 1945 by Walter Legge and celebrates its 80th birthday in 2025. Legge worked for a company called EMI, who was responsible for making recordings of classical music.
The pieces you’ll hear take us on a journey through time linking to the exciting history of the Philharmonia, from 1945 to today – a history you are all part of by being part of Orchestra Unwrapped in its 80th year!
The concert has been devised especially for Key Stage 2 pupils and is suitable for all children. As well as mainstream schools, Orchestra Unwrapped concerts are regularly attended by SEND schools and home-educated children. Materials and activities can be tailored as appropriate.
This year, we are holding two Orchestra Unwrapped concerts in London on the same day. The earlier Orchestra Unwrapped concert takes place at 12.30pm, and the later performance takes place at 2.30pm.
Both concerts include the same programme. Please only book for one concert.
Booking information
Tickets
Tickets for Orchestra Unwrapped 2025/26 can be booked online. Tickets cost £4 per student, and tickets for adults are free.
Please make sure you only book for one Orchestra Unwrapped concert in London.
Please note, Orchestra Unwrapped concerts are exclusively for schools and education groups.
Accessibility information
After we have processed your booking, we will send you a short questionnaire, which will include whether your group has any accessibility requirements.
Please be aware we cannot guarantee wheelchair user spaces due to limited capacity at the venues. Should you require a wheelchair space, please contact the Learning & Engagement team promptly after making your booking at orchestra.unwrapped@philharmonia.co.uk or call us on 0800 652 6717.
Seating information
In order for us to be able to accommodate everyone, we reserve the right to allocate your seats until nearer the concert. You will receive more details of your allocation in the coming weeks.
Please note we cannot make any guarantees that your school will seated be in a particular section of the auditorium.
Additional information
Running time
1 hour
Recommended age
Key Stage 2 pupils
Contact the Learning & Engagement team
Phone: 020 7921 3910
Email: orchestra.unwrapped@philharmonia.co.uk
