Press room

The Barbican announces today that live music will return to Level G throughout October and November 2020 with Live at Lunchtime, a series of free classical concerts given by outstanding musicians (current students and recent graduates) from Guildhall School of Music & Drama in front of a socially distanced live audience.

The series continues the Barbican’s aim to support artists – in this case budding young musicians – and its partners at a time when public performance opportunities are severely limited and to welcome back audiences where it is allowed and safe to do so.

Live at Lunchtime runs from Fri 2 Oct – Fri 27 Nov 2020, with performances planned twice-weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays at 1pm. Free tickets are bookable on a first-come-first-served basis via the Barbican website from 10am each Friday for concerts taking place the following week.

Live at Lunchtime kicks off on Fri 2 Oct 2020 with the Mithras Trio, featuring Ionel Manciu (violin), Leo Popplewell (cello), and Dominic Degavino (piano). The programme includes Haydn’s Trio in E major Hob XV:28 and Mendelssohn’s Trio no.2 in C minor, op. 66. Winners of the 10th Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition, 67th Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition, Royal Philharmonic Society Henderson Award 2019, Cavatina Intercollegiate Chamber Music Competition 2019 and the St. James Chamber Music Competition 2018, the Mithras Trio came together in 2017 at Guildhall School.

Musicians also confirmed for the Live at Lunchtime series include: Paula Gorbanova (violin) and Craig White (piano); Adam Maxey (bass-baritone) and Toby Hession (piano); Ke Ma (piano); Fábio Fernandez (classical guitar); Ben Tarlton (cello); Cara Doyle (clarinet) and John Flinders (piano); Carys Gittins (flute), Agnieszka Zyniewicz (viola) and Lise Vandersmissen (harp); Ruby Collins (bassoon); Mabon Rhyd (viola) and Jennifer Carter (piano); Sian Griffiths (mezzo-soprano) and Toby Hession (piano).

Details on future dates, programmes and performers will be available on the Live at Lunchtime series page from Fridays at 10am for concerts in the subsequent week. Information about safety measures that are in place when visiting the Barbican can be found here.