In this week’s cultural picks, we bring you a star-studded production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel from New York’s Lincoln Center. Plus an exclusive digital concert from the CBSO, a re-release of Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong, the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of Amadeus and the RSC’s The Merchant of Venice.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel

New York’s prestigious Lincoln Center are streaming musicals for free in July, starting with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Carousel.

Carousel was hailed by Time Magazine as “the best musical of the 20th Century.” The New York Philharmonic presents a stunning staged production of this iconic American work, featuring a star-studded cast.

Available for 60 days, you can watch Carousel on YouTube here.

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

The CBSO are hosting a digital concert this Wednesday and Thursday with the music of Peer Gynt. Performed with the CBSO chorus, soprano Klara Ek and their very own music director Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla.

For just £5, you can support this fantastic company and enjoy a concert of sublime music. Book your ticket online here.

Birdsong

After the success of Original Theatre Company’s first release of Birdsong online earlier this month.  They are releasing SebastÌan Faulks’ masterpiece as a brand new online production again from Thursday 16 July.

With a star cast including Max Bowden, Stephen Boxer, Tom Kay, Madeleine Knight and Tim Treloar and narration by Sebastian Faulks himself, this uniquely made production marks a one of a kind special event to mark the 104th anniversary of The Battle of The Somme.

Watch online from Thursday 16 July here.

Amadeus

The final National Theatre at Home streamed production is Amadeus. Lucian Msamati (Luther, Game of Thrones, His Dark Materials) plays Salieri in Peter Shaffer’s iconic play, filmed live from the National Theatre, and with live orchestral accompaniment by Southbank Sinfonia.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a rowdy young prodigy, arrives in Vienna, the music capital of the world – and he’s determined to make a splash. Awestruck by his genius, court composer Antonio Salieri has the power to promote his talent or destroy his name. Seized by obsessive jealousy he begins a war with Mozart, with music, and ultimately, with God.

Watch Amadeus on the National Theatre’s YouTube channel from 7pm on Thursday 16 July here.

The Merchant of Venice

The RSC’s Merchant of Venice is playing on BBC Four this Sunday.

Polly Findlay directs this Royal Shakespeare Company production of Shakespeare’s uncompromising play. In the melting pot of Venice, trade is God. When the gold is flowing, all is well. But when a contract between Bassanio and Shylock is broken, simmering racial tensions boil over. A wronged father and despised outsider, Shylock looks to exact the ultimate price for a deal sealed in blood.

Watch The Merchant of Venice at 9:00pm on Sunday 19 July on BBC Four.

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