BBC SSO 2026/27: Birtwistle's The Second Mrs Kong
- Tickets
-
Free
- Box office telephone
- Dates and times
-
Saturday 17th Apr 2027
7:30pm
- Age
- Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
- Venue
Tickets On Sale: Thursday 14 May 2026, 10am
Birtwsitle's The Second Mrs Kong
An Opera in Two Acts (Semi Staged Concert Performance)
Free tickets: Reservation required (max. 4)
Duration: 2hrs 30mins (with 20 minute interval)
Did beauty really kill the beast? Enter the World of Shadows: a land beyond the living where the inhabitants are obsessed with King Kong. But the giant ape never lived, so how can he die? The painter Vermeer, his most famous model, a movie mogul and the demigod Orpheus all have a part to play, as composer Harrison Birtwistle and librettist Russell Hoban tip the whole of western culture into the blender. The result was The Second Mrs Kong – an opera like nothing else in British music.
Utterly bizarre and gloriously entertaining, it’s been described as “hypnotically beautiful”, but performances have been rare since its world premiere in 1994. With Martyn Brabbins conducting an all-star cast, you won’t want to miss this one.
Kong John Findon - tenor
Pearl Anna Dennis - soprano
Anubis/Death of Kong Sir John Tomlinson - bass-baritone
Vermeer Roderick Williams - baritone
Mirror Claire Booth - soprano
Inanna (Mrs Dollarama) Susan Bickley - mezzo-soprano
Mr Dollarama John Savournin - baritone
Swami Zumzum Tom Randle - tenor
Orpheus Alexander Chance - countertenor
Madame Lena Stephanie Wake-Edwards - alto
Mirror Echo/Eurydice Catriona Hewitson - soprano
Joe Shady/Messenger Edward Jowle - baritone
The Dead BBC Singers
Martyn Brabbins conductor
Victoria Newlyn director
Accessible toilets
There are accessible toilets on level 2 next to the Gents toilet, adjacent to the Candleriggs Bar and on Level 5 next to the Club Room.
Assistance dogs
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.
Wheelchair access
Lift access to all areas.
There are designated spaces for wheelchair users. Wheelchairs are left with the patron. A companion may sit with you. Companions sit next to you.
There is a wheelchair to borrow. To borrow a wheelchair,please ask a member of staff.
Baby changing
There are baby changing facilities next to the cloakroom on level 2. One in the ladies toilet and an adjacent additional area in our first aid room.
Baby feeding
Available on request
Cloakroom
The cloakroom is located on the 1st floor next to the toilets. There is a £2 charge - card payment only. The cloakroom is only open for events or where a client has requested the facility.
Parking
On street, metered parking and nearby multi-storey.
Photography and video recording
At times, Glasgow Life will be on the premises to film and take photos.
The public are only permitted to record and take photos where explicit permission has been granted in advance.
Free wifi
There is free public Wifi access. To connect, visitors have to register with City Halls Public Wifi which should pop up on their browser. After that visitors will only need their password for future uses.
Location Map
The meeting rooms and conference spaces within the complex are suitable for hosting from 15 – 400 delegates. Visit the City Halls' venue hire web page to find out more.