Debussy’s Romantic Piano by Candlelight – ‘Clair de Lune’

If you are looking for a way to spend an evening in Brighton this May, there is a piano recital coming up that might catch your interest. On May 6, 2026, the pianist Matthew Shiel will be performing at St Paul’s Church. The event, titled Debussy’s Romantic Piano by Candlelight – ‘Clair de Lune’, is part of the Brighton Fringe programme and runs until May 13, though the specific performance on the 6th starts at 18:00.

The setting is St Paul’s Church on West Street, which is a space that accommodates wheelchair users and has accessible facilities, and they also allow assistance dogs. The performance itself is designed to be an immersive experience, combining the music with a digital art exhibition and a light show created by visual artist Emma Yitong Shen. It is structured around the theme of romantic classical music, with a narrative element that touches on the personal histories and relationships of the composers featured in the programme.

Regarding the music, the setlist includes a variety of well-known pieces. You can expect to hear Liszt’s Liebestraum No.3, Bach’s Minuet in G, and Tchaikovsky’s Barcarolle. The programme also features Brahms’ Intermezzo in A, Dr. Alfredo Caponnetto’s Notturno VI, and Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude and Nocturne in F minor. The performance concludes with Wagner/Liszt’s Liebestod and, as the title suggests, Debussy’s Clair de Lune. Tickets for the event start at £14.50. It is a straightforward setup for anyone interested in classical piano in a specific, candlelit environment.