Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra embarks on historic UK tour

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), the premier orchestra of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is set to make history with a nine-city tour across the United Kingdom (UK) this May. Under the baton of internationally acclaimed Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the PPO will showcase its world-class talent in some of the UK’s most renowned concert halls.

The UK tour will include stops at the Bristol Beacon, England (13 May); Cadogan Hall, London (14 May); Symphony Hall, Birmingham (15 May); G Live, Guildford (16 May); Theatre Royal, Norwich (18 May); Bridgewater Hall, Manchester (19 May); City Hall, Sheffield (21 May); Saint George’s Hall, Bradford (22 May); and Perth Festival of the Arts, Scotland (24 May).

The PPO will be joined by esteemed soloists, including cellist Wen-Sinn Yang, violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr. who also performs as PPO’s concertmaster and artist in residence, pianist Mark Bebbington, and composer Jeffrey Ching.

Audiences can expect breathtaking performances of classical masterpieces such as Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 Italian, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, and more.

“Performing internationally allows the PPO to showcase Filipino artistry on the global stage. This tour is also a way to connect with our fellow Filipinos in the UK and introduce our rich musical heritage to international audiences,” said CCP president Kaye C. Tinga.

The PPO’s grand finale at Perth Festival of the Arts marks the culmination of a tour that not only highlights Filipino excellence in classical music but also strengthens cultural ties between the Philippines and the UK.

Founded in 1973, PPO has grown into the country’s leading symphony orchestra, dedicated to promoting both Filipino composers and classical masterpieces. Apart from its regular concert seasons, the PPO is committed to music education, bringing orchestral performances to schools, communities, and cultural institutions across the Philippines.

This highly anticipated tour is made possible by IMG Artists, a leading global talent management agency in the performing arts. For tickets and more information, visit https://imgartists.com. For more details on the other CCP events, check out the CCP website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and its official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.