adapted by Ben Hogwood from the press release

Summer Music in City Churches is a festival in the City of London. Founded in 2018, it presents beautiful music to engage, divert and inspire, in ancient and architecturally stunning churches in the Square Mile. Standing cheek by jowl with City offices, these churches are glorious settings in which to listen and reflect: oases of history, beauty and peace amidst the 24-7 hurly-burly of City life.

For its 2026 edition, the festival takes flight over its home in the City to travel Around the World. You can experience it in the Square Mile’s beautiful historic churches for nine days full of music inspired by landscapes and traditions of town and country, at home and abroad.

A quick tour: For an opening concert conjuring warm nights in southern Europe, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are joined by talented young guitarist Jack Hancher as soloist in Rodrigo‘s much-loved Concierto de Aranjuez, with Rossini and Ravel in Spanish mood, plus Mendelssohn in sunny Italy.

In a limited offer, Daniel Hyde conducts the City of London Choir for festival Choral Evensong, with music representing great British cathedrals. Early Bird savings can be found as two outstanding actors join the festival for the first time this year: Alistair McGowan will narrate a French programme with pianist Mark Bebbington (including Poulenc‘s touching Babar the Elephant), while Juliet Stevenson will play itinerant virtuosa Clara Schumann in Lucy Parham‘s brilliant composer-portrait.

By popular demand after last year’s runaway success, the award-winning duo Eleanor Grant and Gus McQuade return by with their unique and delightful take on songs of travel. Meanwhile there is a chance to experience beguiling French and English song from superstar soprano Rachel Nicholls and pianist Michael Dussek, or to be mesmerised by Viv McLean playing tributes by Grieg, Chopin and Beethoven to their homelands.

Iain Farrington is back with his brilliant Art Deco trio for witty jazz takes on familiar shanties, spirituals and melodies from around the world. Ian’s fabulous arrangements of orchestral classics are played by members of the RPO in a fun family concert with youth choir Hackney Choral and City of London Choir – including John Rutter‘s London Town.

Joining these flagship concerts will be charming chamber music from around the world performed by the ever-delightful Brother Tree Sound, Tier3 Trio, the Cassatt Trio and Sonas Quartet; more stunning arrangements from the brilliant brass of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; and an uplifting finale of song with the City of London Choir – from traditional folk melodies to George Shearing‘s jazz settings to Elgar in Bavaria.

If you’re spoilt for choice, a festival season ticket is just £120 – and you can read more about the festival at the Summer Music in City Churches website. See you there!

Published post no.2,858 – Tuesday 14 April 2026