Saturday 23 May 2026, 4pm
West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge
Ethel Smyth: Overture to The Wreckers
Richard Strauss: Burleske – Piano soloist: Benjamin Grosvenor
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No 5
Performed by:
Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra
Benjamin Grosvenor – Piano
Conductor Otis Enokido-Lineham
Performance – 1 hour 50 minutes including interval
A concert of bold voices and fearless invention. We open with the stormy, impassioned overture to The Wreckers, Ethel Smyth’s opera set on the rugged Cornish coast. With sweeping melodies and dark intensity, this powerful curtain-raiser announces Smyth as one of the great unsung heroines of British music.
Next, superstar pianist Benjamin Grosvenor takes the spotlight in Richard Strauss’s Burleske – a dazzling, high-octane work that brims with sardonic wit and virtuosic brilliance. Part concerto, part musical prank, Burleske dances on a knife-edge between mischief and majesty.
Shostakovich’s gripping Symphony No 5 – veiled protest or triumphant apologia – delivers emotional power and biting irony in one of the 20th century’s most compelling orchestral works.
Tickets: from £15 (Student concessions and free carers’ tickets available)
Pre bookable programme £2
Please note that tickets are purchased on a non-refundable basis.
Access: The building is fully accessible to wheelchair users, with wheelchair / companion seating ramps and accessible toilet facilities.
Click HERE to find out more.
If you require a free carer’s ticket or have additional access requirements, please get in touch tickets@cam-phil.org.uk
getting to west road concert hall
West Road Travel Arrangements
During the development of the Sigwick site there is some disruption to parking arrangements for our audience and performers. Please see the notes below and allow extra time to park should you be traveling by car, or use public transport where possible.
Parking in front of West Road Concert Hall
There is limited parking in front of the concert hall and this is reserved for guest performers. Please do not double park in this area as it is frequented by pedestrians and cyclists as well as drivers, so needs to be accessible and safe.
Cycling – there are bike racks right outside the entrance to the concert hall
Sigwick site parking
The barrier to the Sidgwick Avenue car park will be raised about half an hour before the hall hire begins (from about 5pm). The barrier will remain open until shortly after the concert starts, and will then open automatically for vehicles exiting. This parking is free of charge.
Blue Badge Holders
There are six disabled parking spaces on the Sidgwick Site.
Other parking
The nearest free designated parking location is at Madingley Road Park & Ride, which is approximately a 35 minute walk, or 18 minute journey via the Busway. The Route U bus departs from Eddington Avenue next to the Park & Ride site.
There is limited metered parking on West Road and Sidgwick Avenue, near to the site.
Limited non-metered, on-street parking may be found on Adams Road, Herschel Road and Sylvester Road.
Patrons are reminded that on-street parking is free on West Road and Sidgwick Avenue after 5pm
Pay & display parking on West Road costs £1.40 per 30mins Monday-Sunday from 9am-5pm, max 4hr stay. Please be aware that payment is via cash or app.
The nearest unregulated streets are Herschel, Sylvester and Cranmer Roads, a c.10 minute walk away on the other side of Grange Road. Please note Adams Road currently is closed until June 2026
Public Transport
Busway Route U
The Route U bus departs from Eddintgton Avenue (5 minutes’ walk from Madingley Park & Ride, which has free parking) every 15 – 20 minutes.
Take the bus from Eddington Avenue departing for Addenbrooke’s and alight after 11 stops for the Sidgwick Site, on West Road outside the University Library.
From Cambridge station you can catch the Universal/Route U bus to the University Library stop on West Road approximately 50 metres from the front door.
Here’s a useful site map with bus stops
The Concert Hall is a 10 to 15 minute taxi ride from the main Cambridge railway station.
Park & Ride
Cambridge’s Park & Ride network includes sites at five locations around the city. Please see the Park & Ride website for full details of routes, timetables and prices.
Photos Credit: Bill Hiskett