Classical Pride

As part of Classical Pride, step into a world of rich storytelling and bold musical expression with trumpeter Aaron Azunda Akugbo and Manchester Camerata. Classical Pride is an annual music festival curated by conductor Oliver Zeffman to celebrate the breadth and diversity of LGBTQ+ artists across classical music.

From the raw emotion of Joy Guidry’s *They Know What They’ve Done to Us*—a striking fusion of trumpet and electronics—to the sweeping beauty of Copland’s *Appalachian Spring*, this concert is a journey through resilience, nostalgia, and joy. Poulenc’s playful *Banalités* leads into the electrifying rhythms of Bernstein’s *West Side Story Suite.*

Born in 1998 and of Nigerian-Scottish descent, Aaron Azunda Akugbo hails from Edinburgh and is poised as a future leading exponent of his instrument. He brings a wide-ranging musical taste to his artistry and despite being classically trained, cites Louis Armstrong as his biggest musical inspiration.

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and an ex-principal of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Akugbo made his BBC Proms concerto debut in 2023, performing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto with Chineke!, recent highlights include visits to Lucerne, Bath International, Lichfield, Petworth, Ryedale, St Magnus and Lammermuir festivals and leading the Emerging Talent programme at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival.

This event will last approximately 75 minutes, with no interval.

Presented by Kings Place.

This is an 18+ event.