New Year Gala Concert

Saturday 9 January 2027 | 4 – 6.15pm

St Thomas Church Lymington SO41 9ND

Celebrate with us by enjoying a thrilling programme which includes:

• Strauss: Radetzky March
• Wagner: Prelude to Tristan and Isolde
• Elgar: Cello Concerto
• Saint-Saëns: Samson & Delilah
• Ravel: Bolero
• Nova Foresta Philharmonic
• Conductor: Phil Daish-Handy
• Leader: Rose Gosney
• Solo Cello: Hugo Svedberg

This Gala Concert on Saturday 9 January 2027, at St Thomas Church in Lymington, will raise funds for the educational programmes that are a key part of the community activities organised by St Barbe Museum + Art Gallery.

Phil Daish-Handy, Artistic Director, will conduct the Nova Foresta Philharmonic, the New Forest’s only professional orchestra.  He rose to prominence some years ago with a triumph in the Music at Beaulieu Competition. This paved the way for major scholarship, high-profile performances, and multiple recordings.

The concert will feature Hugo Svedberg, playing Elgar’s Cello Concerto. Hugo grew up in Dorset and began learning cello aged 6 with his father. He has studied with Adrian Brendel, and in 2026 begins his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on a scholarship.In 2024, Hugo won Sweden’s Pole Star Award, performing as soloist with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, and went on to win Second Prize in Eurovision Young Musicians, performing with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. In 2025 Hugo performed with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic at concerts including the opening of the Swedish Parliament.Gala Concert Programme (4pm to 6.15pm)

• Wagner Prelude to Tristan and Isolde
• Elgar Cello Concerto (Hugo Svedberg)
• INTERVAL and raffle draw
• Strauss Radetzky March
• Rózsa Love Theme and Rowing Music from Ben-Hur Suite
• Saint-Saëns Samson & Delilah
• Ravel Bolero

Tickets

Balcony unreserved £20 / Stalls unreserved £25 / Stalls reserved (limited number) £30

St Barbe Educational Programmes

The Gala Concert is a charity fundraiser supporting St Barbe’s community programmes. These welcome all ages and people from many different backgrounds, including families on free school meals and SEND students. We are committed to making our activities accessible to everyone, including people with physical disabilities, people who are neurodivergent and those living with dementia.

These programmes have expanded enormously in recent years by adding events outside central Lymington in schools, community centres, church halls and the open air. With your support, we aim to do so much more.