Nutcracker Suite at Christmas by Candlelight

The Piccadilly Sinfonietta are playing St Paul's Church in Covent Garden on Thursday 19 November, with the Nutcracker Suite as the main feature. It's a candlelight concert, so the church will be lit by candles rather than the usual house lights, and the programme is built around some of the most familiar pieces in the classical repertoire.

Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite takes the lead, but it's not the only thing on the bill. The Sinfonietta will also perform Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2, with concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith on the keys, and a traditional festive medley to round things out. It's a fairly broad spread of classical music, and the candlelight setting is a big part of the draw.

The Piccadilly Sinfonietta is a well-travelled ensemble, playing over 200 times a year across the UK. They work through baroque, classical and romantic repertoires, and Classic FM has described their playing as 'stunning'. This particular night sits on the romantic side of things, with Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov as the heavy hitters.

Practical details: the concert runs from 6:00 to 7:00pm at St Paul's Church on Bedford Street, Covent Garden, and tickets start from £20. It's not suitable for children under five, and babies won't be admitted.