This is a sponsored article on behalf of Classical Pride.
Classical Pride is back for 2024 — this time as a five-day festival showcasing LGBTQ+ composers and performers at venues across London. And to say it's starting out in style would be an understatement...
Sashay to subterranean Soho venue HERE at Outernet on Wednesday 3 July and you'll find the crème de la crème of the London drag scene — plus a couple of international superstars — singing opera, performing concertos, and slaying on the catwalk to the dulcet tones of a live orchestra. This is Classical Drag.
As the name suggests, Classical Drag sees the worlds of classical music and drag artistry collide in one seriously outlandish contest. On top of the UK-based talent — we're talking West End diva Vinegar Strokes, drag king Beau Jangles and trans masc opera sensation Freddie Love to name but a few — RuPaul's Drag Race royalty is crossing the pond in the form of Monét X Change and Thorgy Thor. There are even drag instrumentalists involved, from Snow White Trash (who plays for Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears) to Bimini support act Barbs.
They'll go head-to-head, performing arias from operas like Carmen, Turandot and Tosca, as well as sweeping scores such as Grieg's Piano Concerto. The evening is accompanied by a live orchestra of exceptional LGBTQ+ talent, conducted by Classical Pride's founder and artistic director Oliver Zeffman.
On top of all that, there's an interval show hosted by the legend of London nightlife that is Jonny Woo, feat. a 'Night at the Opera'-themed runway show and a performance by celebrated tenor Nicky Spence. Add roaming performers and lashings of prosecco into the mix, and you've got the perfect blend of culture and debauchery.
The best bit? The net proceeds from the night will be split between three vital LGBTQ+ charities: Rainbow Railroad (which helps LGBTQ+ asylum seekers), sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, and GAY TIMES' Amplifund.
Classical Drag is just where the fun begins though — afterwards, you've got four-more days of Pride-themed musical goodness to look forward to. Check out the whole programme, including a free Julius Eastman concert, a world premiere of a new work by Isobel Waller-Bridge, and a London Symphony Orchestra extravaganza hosted by Nick Grimshaw with music by Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns and more.
Classical Drag takes place at HERE at Outernet (Soho) from 7pm on Wednesday 3 July. Tickets here.
Classical Pride runs Wednesday 3 July-Sunday 7 July at multiple venues across London. See the line-up and get tickets.
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