On Sunday 5 October 2025, audiences at Blackheath Halls are in for an extraordinary evening of music. Regents Opera opens its new season with a powerful pairing: Wagner’s intimate Siegfried Idyll followed by Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”. The concert begins at 7:00 PM, conducted by Ben Woodward and featuring soloists Catharine Woodward and Mae Heydorn alongside chorus and orchestra.
The Programme
- Wagner – Siegfried Idyll
A serene, heartfelt piece originally written by Wagner as a birthday gift for his wife. Its warmth and intimacy set the stage for the grandeur to follow. - Mahler – Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”
One of the most epic works in the symphonic repertoire, Mahler’s Second explores themes of life, death, and transcendence. Combining orchestra, chorus, and soloists, it builds to one of the most uplifting finales in classical music.
About Ben Woodward
Ben Woodward is Artistic Director of Regents Opera, where he has become known for ambitious and large-scale productions. His career spans opera houses in Germany and the UK, as well as extensive experience in both opera and symphonic repertoire.
Educated at Chetham’s School of Music and later Trinity College, Cambridge, Ben also trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His conducting has taken him from Wagner’s Ring Cycle to Verdi, Strauss, and Puccini, always with a commitment to both musical excellence and accessibility.
At Regents Opera he has led groundbreaking projects, including the company’s acclaimed complete Ring Cycle, establishing himself as one of the most resourceful and passionate conductors on the UK opera scene.
An Evening of Power and Intimacy
Pairing Wagner’s quiet domestic gift with Mahler’s sweeping vision of resurrection, this concert promises moments of hushed beauty and overwhelming power. Under Ben Woodward’s baton, it will be an unforgettable evening at Blackheath Halls.
Hancock Artists 