Cambridge, UK – June 2025 — The city of Cambridge is set to come alive with music this summer as the Cambridge Summer Music Festival 2025 launches an ambitious and exciting programme. Running from 2nd to 30th July, the festival will present nearly thirty performances across the city’s most iconic and atmospheric venues, from historic college chapels to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Further afield the festival spreads its wings with performances at Ely Cathedral, Saffron Hall (Saffron Walden) and the historic barn at Childerly Hall.
Under the artistic direction of internationally acclaimed tenor Ben Johnson, this year’s festival celebrates the power of live music to inspire, connect, and uplift. The 2025 programme features a rich blend of opera, chamber music, orchestral and choral works, jazz, and solo recitals, performed by a dazzling array of established stars and exceptional young talent.
Festival Highlights
Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes – 5th July – A semi-staged performance at Saffron Hall where Cambridge Philharmonic collaborate with British Youth Opera, offering a fresh and powerful interpretation in this iconic English opera.
Nash Ensemble 60th Anniversary Concert – 11th July A landmark celebration of one of the UK’s most distinguished chamber groups, known for their adventurous programming and technical brilliance.
Eugene Onegin, performed by The Wild Arts Ensemble – 20th July – Billed by The Times as as one of the 50 hottest tickets this summer, held in the stunning location of Childerly Hall. Directed by the former Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, Dominic Dromgoole, and conducted by Orlando Jopling, the production is arranged for chamber orchestra and fully staged in period costume, with a new English translation.
Sounds Green at the Botanic Garden – dates throughout July – A beloved series of five open-air concerts every Wednesday evening in July, featuring ensembles such as Prime Brass, Essex Jazz Collective – joined by Jazz legend Vasilis Xenopoulos and Cores Do Samba – perfect for families and music lovers of all ages.
Cambridge Summer Music Lecture by David Owen Norris – 24th July – Presenting the first CSM Annual Lecture, given by the world renowned pianist, broadcaster, composer and scholar David Owen Norris.
Festival Finale: Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle – 26th July – bringing together a stellar line up of virtuosic musicians to perform this heartfelt and exuberant Rossini favourite. Christopher Wood’s celebratory Te Deum opens the concert which is conducted by Festival Director Ben Johnson in the stunning setting of Our Lady and the English Martyrs Catholic Church.
Spotlight on Emerging Talent
This year’s festival places a strong emphasis on nurturing the next generation of musicians and composers collaborating with organisations such as Young Classical Artists Trust, Cambridge Camerata, Cambridge Youth Music.
The Young Composers Workshop offers a chance to hear the work of up-and-coming young composers – and to gain an insight into composing techniques.
Audiences can also look forward to recitals by rising stars of the classical world, including:
Fibonacci Quartet – The Fibonacci Quartet are one of Europe’s leading young string quartets. Prolific prize winners, they are the only ensemble to win both First and Audience prizes at the Premio Paolo Borciani International String Quartet Competition in Italy.
Ignas Maknickas – A BBC New Generation Artist and pianist of extraordinary sensitivity and flair. Nardus Williams – A soprano praised for her radiant tone and expressive artistry.
Gorbanoff Quartet – some of the finest young chamber musicians, recently graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. They perform two of the most romantic pieces from the piano quartet repertoire
Jamaal Kashim – 17-year-old harpist Jamaal Kashim has excelled in both recital and orchestral settings. Recognised for his virtuosity, Jamaal was a BBC Young Musician 2024 semi-finalist.
These performances offer a unique opportunity to witness the future of classical music in an intimate and inspiring settings.
Tickets and Access
Cambridge Summer Music remains committed to accessibility and community engagement, with a mix of ticketed and free events (25’s and under are half price, free essential companion tickets available), evening and lunchtime performances held in venues across the city including Cambridge Union, Jesus College Chapel, Queens College Chapel, and more.
A full listing is now available via the CSM website.
Early booking is strongly recommended due to high demand.
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