MOURN Returns to Stone Nest This Autumn Alongside New Bach Concert Series at LSO St Luke's

After a sell-out run earlier this year that left would-be audience members queueing in vain for returned tickets, the acclaimed staged production MOURN is returning to Stone Nest in London this October. The FIGURE ensemble has announced a trio of performances from 8th to 10th October, alongside a brand new concert series at LSO St Luke's that pairs the music of Bach with specially commissioned contemporary works.

MOURN: A Staged Journey Through Grief Returns to Stone Nest

MOURN first captivated audiences during its April run, blending ancient Balkan mourning traditions with the music of Renaissance Italy in a theatrical experience that moved between concert, ritual, and drama. The production explores how we process death and say farewell to those closest to us, drawing on funeral lament traditions that stretch back centuries.

At the core of the piece lies the funeral lament itself, a form that took on extraordinary power in Renaissance Italy when composers drew inspiration from Ancient Greek tragedy. This new style, poised somewhere between speech and song, became one of early opera's defining characteristics. Its influence eventually travelled across Europe, reaching as far as Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas in England. Meanwhile, across the Adriatic, the living mourning traditions that had inspired those Greek tragedies never actually disappeared. Throughout the Balkans, lament remained woven into everyday life: sung not for the stage, but outward to communities of the living, the dead, and the divine.

MOURN places these parallel traditions side by side, juxtaposing the imagined antiquity of Western European art music with the living, breathing inheritance of Balkan folk practice. FIGURE and Alkanna Graeca collaborate to create a series of poetic scenes that invite audiences to sit within these deeply human expressions of loss. Demand for the April performances far exceeded supply, so the return engagement offers a welcome second chance for London audiences curious about this distinctive form of music theatre.

A New Baroque and Contemporary Series at LSO St Luke's

Beyond the MOURN revival, FIGURE has announced an exciting new residency as Guest Artists at LSO St Luke's, one of London's finest venues for chamber and contemporary music. The series will run from autumn through to spring, centring on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach while incorporating newly commissioned works from some of the most exciting voices in contemporary composition.

Previous FIGURE concerts at Stone Nest and Smith Square Hall earned praise from The Guardian as "unequivocally impressive," and the move to LSO St Luke's represents a significant step up in profile for the ensemble. The series promises three concerts, each featuring a distinguished soloist and pairing Bach's music with brand new pieces.

Opening Night: Bach and New Music with Lotte Betts-Dean

The first concert in the series takes place on 4th November at 7.30pm. Australian mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean, winner of the 2024 Young Artist Award at the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards, will perform Bach's ravishing cantata Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199. The Guardian has described Betts-Dean as "a singer of rich and fearless versatility," and her presence signals the calibre of artist FIGURE is attracting to these projects.

The evening also features three world premieres, all commissioned by FIGURE. Composer Oliver Leith contributes A different fantasie after Locke, while Alex Paxton and Lara Agar each present new works written specifically for this programme. The juxtaposition of Bach's deeply emotional cantata (subtly described by the ensemble as "good Lutheran emo stuff") with cutting-edge contemporary composition is exactly the kind of programming that has won FIGURE its growing reputation.

Why These Events Matter for London's Music Scene

London's live performance landscape is remarkably rich, and while the West End dominates much of the conversation, some of the most artistically adventurous work happens in smaller venues and through chamber ensembles like FIGURE. Productions such as MOURN push the boundaries of what a concert can be, incorporating theatrical staging and ritual elements that make them accessible to audiences who might not normally attend a classical or contemporary music event.

The move to LSO St Luke's for the Bach series also demonstrates how ensembles dedicated to new music are finding larger platforms. For theatregoers who enjoy the immersive, boundary-crossing experiences offered by productions like Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club or site-specific work across London, MOURN's blend of concert and theatre may prove particularly compelling.

Practical Information and How to Book

MOURN runs from 8th to 10th October at Stone Nest, with performances at 7.30pm each evening. Given that the April run sold out completely, booking early is strongly advised. The first Bach concert at LSO St Luke's takes place on 4th November at 7.30pm.

Tickets for both events are available through FIGURE's own channels. Those interested in supporting the ensemble's ongoing commissioning work are encouraged to get in touch directly. The full programme for the remaining two concerts in the LSO St Luke's series, including the identities of the other soloists, will be announced in the coming weeks.

What Else Is On This Autumn

Autumn is always a thrilling time for London theatre and performance. If MOURN's blend of music, theatre, and ritual appeals to you, it's worth exploring what else is opening across the capital this season. Browse our full guide to new shows arriving in London, or explore our listings for all current productions. Whether your tastes run to musicals, plays, or something altogether harder to categorise, there is no shortage of remarkable work on offer.