ECHO Rising Stars 2026/27: Camila Mandillo
Artists
Camilla Mandillo Soprano
João Casimiro Almeida Piano
Programme
Monteverdi Quel Sguardo Sdegnosetto
Rossini La Danza, Tarantella Napoletana
Berio Ballo, from Folk Songs
Schubert Die Forelle
Johann Strauss II Mein Herr Marquis, from Die Fledermaus
Mozart Das Kinderspiel K598
Rameau Aux langueurs d’Apollon, from Platée
Satie La Diva de l’Empire
Poulenc Fêtes galantes, from Deux poèmes de Louis Aragon
Miguel Azguime Intermezzo, from A Laugh to Cry
Cathy Berberian Stripsody
Ligeti Mysteries of the Macabre
Bushra El-Turk ECHO new commission
Overview
And Now for Something Slightly Different:
Across four centuries of music, composers have turned to humour, irony and wit as a way of confronting the complexities of life. Borrowing a phrase from Monty Python, this recital follows that thread, leaping across time and place to make surprising connections.
From opera to the concert stage, baroque to the boldest contemporary creations, Camila Mandillo’s career is taking off at pace. She’s an Artist in Residence at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium and was a principal featured artist of the World New Music Days 2025. Her concert takes us from Monteverdi’s healing power of laughter and Mozart’s children at play to wartime satire in Poulenc’s Fêtes galantes and the half-nonsense words of Ligeti’s Mysteries of the Macabre. Camila adds a newly-commissioned work by British composer Bushra El-Turk, named by the BBC as “one of the most inspiring 100 women of today”.
An hour-long concert, with coffee/tea and a slice of cake available beforehand, included in your ticket.
Rising Stars are nominated by the artistic directors of Europe’s most prestigious venues which are members of the European Concert Hall Organisation (ECHO).
Booking info
Please note: line-up may be subject to change
Unreserved Seating
This is a general admission event; seating is not assigned and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wheelchair Users and Disabled Patrons
A range of tickets, wheelchair positions and services are available under our Access Scheme.
Plan your visit
We want you to have the best time when you visit the Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space (JBPS) at Symphony Hall
Here's everything you need to know to make your visit run smoother than a Sade Operator...
The JBPS is a smaller stage up one floor from the Symphony Hall Entrance with seating on several levels. Unless otherwise stated seating for events in this space are not assigned and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Food & Drink
B:Eats at Symphony Hall
B:Eats is the Symphony Hall cafe serving fresh, seasonal, delicious dishes for daytime dining or pre-show treats.
Home of the Brummie Bacon Cake™, a menu of classic dishes with contemporary twists and a selection of hot drinks and cake, B:Eats has many veggie, vegan and gluten-free options which are bound to hit the right note for a quick snack or pre-show dinner.
Opening Hours
Mon - Sat: 11am - 4pm
B:Eats is not open for evening performances in the JBPS space
Bars
With a bar on every level stocking a selection of beers, wines, spirits, alcohol free and soft drinks, plus delicious snackable treats, you can be sure everyone in your party will find a tipple to enjoy.
Getting to Symphony Hall
By Car
Parking
Convenient parking facilities for Symphony Hall can be found at Q-Park Brindleyplace and Q-Park Mailbox, click here for more information. Both car parks offer electric vehicle charging so you can park and charge during your visit.
Please note that due to temporary works, there is currently a reduced capacity at Q Park Mailbox.
Prebook your parking and receive a 10% discount at Q-Park. Simply enter the code 'BMusic10' during checkout. For each booking made with this code, Q Park will donate 10% of the transaction to B:Music in support of our charitable activities with young people and local artists.
Also, if you download the Q-Park Rewards app you can receive cashback from your parking and cashback from many high street brands.
Good to know
Birmingham City Centre is a Clean Air Zone. Please see Birmingham City Council website here for details.
Electric vehicle charging points within Birmingham can be found here
Check transport disruptions, find parking & find more transport information for Birmingham on the council webpage here
By Bus
We are easily accessible by bus. Plan your journey with Network West Midlands or call the West Midlands Journey Planner hotline on 0871 200 22 33 (charges apply)
By Train
Birmingham New Street and Snow Hill stations are within easy walking distance of Symphony Hall. Moor Street and Five Ways are slightly further away but still within walking distance. Train times can be checked at the National Rail website. There are taxi ranks at each station.
By Bike
There are lots of bike racks in Centenary Square. For information on cycle routes in the city, visit sustrans.org.uk or birmingham.gov.uk/cycling
By Tram
The Library tram stop is just by the Symphony Hall front entrance on Centenary Square. Plan your journey with West Midlands Metro.
Taxi Drop off
The nearest drop off point is Cambridge Street, it is then a 2 minute walk to the Symphony Hall entrance.
By Plane
Birmingham International Airport’s adjacent rail station – Birmingham International – has frequent trains to the city centre.