CLASSICAL: THE FIVE BEST CONCERTS

1

Last Night of the Proms tonight

There's Arne, Elgar and Parry for the traditionalists, but before then Sir Andrew Davis includes Nielsen (the overture to Maskerade), Poulenc's Organ Concerto and the UK premiere of Esa-Pekka Salonen's Giro, thereby neatly rounding off the season's major themes.

Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 (07-589 822) 7.30pm

2

Der Rosenkavalier tomorrow, Tue, Thur

If you can't face the jollity over at Kensington, try English National Opera's welcome revival of Jonathan Miller's production of Strauss's opera, with Yvonne Kenny and Susan Parry among the soloists. Paul Daniel conducts.

Coliseum, London WC2 (07-632 8300) 6.30pm

3

Anonymous 4 tomorrow

The American female vocal quartet present a concert performance, featuring the songs of the 4th-century Italian composer Francesco Landini, interspersed with readings from Dante.

Wigmore Hall, London W (07-935 24) 7.30pm

4

Fitzwilliam Quartet Fri

As part of the Finchcocks Festival, the superb Fitzwilliams embark on a three-concert survey of Shostakovich quartets, alongside pieces by Purcell. The other concerts are on Saturday 8 September.

Finchcocks House, Goudhurst, Kent (0580 2702) 8pm

5

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Fri

The start of the RPO's autumn season kicks off with Bruckner's popular Fourth Symphony, coupled with some "bleeding chunks" of Wagner, conducted by Daniele Gatti.

Barbican, London EC2 (07-638 889), 7.30pm