Attractions

London Symphony Orchestra, English National Ballet

The London Symphony Orchestra

The London Symphony Orchestra is based at the Barbican Centre in London. Often referred to as the LSO, it is London's oldest orchestra and one of the top five orchestras in the world.

Founded in 1904, the London Symphony Orchestra is a favourite with classical composers, musicians, and audiences alike. It has played host to leading composers including Elgar, Holst, and Benjamin Britten. Principal conductors of the LSO have included such classical legends as Edward Elgar, Hamilton Harty, Josef Krips, and André Previn. International musicians who've played with the Orchestra include such leading lights of classical music as James Galway, Gervase de Peyer, and Osian Ellis.

In addition to the concert hall, the Barbican Centre has a theatre, art gallery, and cinema where the Orchestra accompanies occasional film screenings. The LSO also owns St Luke's, an 18th century Hawksmoor church which is now the LSO Music Education Centre. The London Symphony Orchestra's record label, LSO Live, has won Grammy, Gramophone, and Classical Brit Awards.

The nearest underground stations to the Barbican Centre are Barbican and Moorgate, with Old Street the nearest station for LSO St. Luke's.

English National Ballet

English National Ballet is one of the world's leading ballet companies. Based in Kensington, close to the Royal Albert Hall, it has two seasons of performances in London each year. At Christmas the Company dances at the London Coliseum, and in summer at the Royal Albert Hall.

The English National Ballet comprises sixty-four dancers from twenty countries. The number of dancers is increased to 120 for performances at the Royal Albert Hall. Originally named Festival Ballet, the Company was founded in 1950 for the Festival of Britain. Its name was changed to English National Ballet in 1989 to reflect its role as the nation's touring classical ballet company. Touring on both a national and an international level is an important part of its programme.

English National Ballet has its own orchestra, runs the English National Ballet School, and offers pre-show talks for selected performances. Its varied repertoire includes ballet classics such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet, along with children's favourites such as Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. It also commissions works by modern choreographers such as Michael Corder, Wayne McGregor, and Christopher Hampson.

Princess Diana was a patron of English National Ballet and in July 2007 the Company performed an extract from Swan Lake at the 'Concert for Diana' at Wembley Stadium. The English National Ballet Orchestra accompanied their performance and the Company also danced for Take That's 'Shine'.

The nearest tube stations for English National Ballet are Leicester Square for the London Coliseum or South Kensington for the Royal Albert Hall.

Radisson Edwardian hotels in this area

If you're looking for a London hotel that's close to the London Symphony Orchestra or English National Ballet, there are several Radisson Edwardian hotels that might suit your needs.

The Radisson Edwardian Grafton is a 4 star hotel on Tottenham Court Road, next to Warren Street Station. The hotel enjoys an ideal position in the heart of London's West End, within easy reach of Oxford Street, Regents Park, the British Museum, Madame Tussauds, and the London Planetarium. The hotel's spacious and elegant lobby has marble floors and original Eastern artwork. Spacious bedrooms are furnished with crisp linens. The Grafton has a busy bar and restaurant, a business centre, fitness room, and air conditioning throughout. It offers a concierge service and complimentary wireless access.

The Radisson Edwardian Leicester Square Hotel is a 4 star hotel in St. Martin's Street, just off Leicester Square. This intimate boutique hotel offers all the benefits of a central location but is tucked away in a quiet street off London's theatre land. Its luxurious rooms offer sleek black slate bathrooms, Bang & Olufsen plasma TVs, and beautiful Baccarat lighting. The hotel has a bar and restaurant, fitness centre, 24 hour business centre, 24 hour room service, and complimentary wireless internet access. If you're looking for a relaxing hideaway in a central location, the Radisson Edwardian Leicester Square Hotel is the one for you.

The Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel is a five star hotel in Leicester Square, the heart of London's theatre land. It offers grandeur and comfort, with mahogany-panelled walls, classic art, and bedrooms decorated with English fabrics and marble. The Hampshire's location, on the corner of Leicester Square, makes it an excellent base for exploring London. With its lively bar and restaurant serving the finest modern British and Mediterranean cuisine this is a fantastic base from which to explore London. The hotel has complimentary wireless Internet access, a 24 hour business centre, and a fitness centre. So whether you're in London to work or play the Hampshire makes the perfect place to stay.

Special offers for the London Symphony Orchestra and English National Ballet

With our 'Let loose in London' scheme, you get a discounted hotel package at a London Radisson Edwardian hotel of your choice plus exclusive special offers and discounts at some of London's finest galleries, theatres, restaurants and tourist attractions.

The discount booklet includes a voucher for 20% off all ticket prices for the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Centre. Standard tickets are priced from £6 to £30, and there are over a hundred concerts a year to choose from.

There's also a voucher for the English National Ballet. Just make a booking to see any of their London performances and you'll get a free copy of their magazine, 'In The Wings.'

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