The Nutcracker Suite at Christmas by Candlelight

The Piccadilly Sinfonietta are playing St Mary's in the Lacemarket on Monday 7 December, with concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith joining them. The evening is built around Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, and the church will be lit by candlelight for the performance.

That's the main draw, but the programme doesn't stop there. They're pairing the Nutcracker with Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2—one of the most romantic pieces in the classical repertoire—and a traditional festive medley to round things off. It's a fair bit of music for one night, and the contrast between the two works is a good part of the appeal: the Nutcracker is light and familiar, while the Rachmaninov is a heavy, sweeping concerto that takes centre stage.

Behind the music is the Piccadilly Sinfonietta, an ensemble that puts on more than 200 performances a year and has become a regular on the British classical scene. They work across baroque, classical and romantic repertoire, and Classic FM once described their playing as 'stunning'. Mailley-Smith takes the piano for the Rachmaninov, so the concerto is a solo turn within the wider orchestral set.

The concert runs from 7:30pm to 9:15pm at St Mary's in the Lacemarket, 26-28 High Pavement, Nottingham NG1 1HN. Tickets start at £20.00 and go up to £50.00. One practical thing to keep in mind: the evening isn't suitable for children under five, and babies won't be admitted.