Nature, Society & Humanity - the Beethoven Orchestra for Humanity

The Beethoven Orchestra for Humanity is a new orchestra with a twist. Funded after a Kickstarter campaign, the orchestra fuses music with topical talk for what they describe as 'entertainment with impact'. On 8 February 2016 the orchestra makes its debut at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Conducted by Michael Young they perform Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, and will be joined by soprano April Frederick for Górecki's Symphony of Sorrowful Songs and the second movement of Villa Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5.

Also part of the programme is comedian, activist and writer Francesca Martinez, who will be speaking about climate change and social responsibility which is intended to create links to the music with themes of nature (Beethoven), society (Górecki ) and humanity (Villa-Lobos ).

Rather impressively, most of the tickets have been sold via the Kickstarter campaign but you can find out more from the event's Facebook Page.