Photography exhibition reveals the people of the Wigmore Hall

Hattie Butterworth
Friday, September 23, 2022

The backstage of the Wigmore Hall comes to life as it launches a photography exhibition alongside its new concert season.

Launched alongside the start of their concert season, the unseen life of the Wigmore Hall becomes the focus of an exhibition by photographer Christopher Jonas: ‘Wigmore Hall: Portraying Our People.’ Displayed throughout public spaces of the hall, the collection reveals pictures of ordinary moments shared by artists and staff away from the pressures of the stage.

Branko Pajevic tunes Wigmore Hall’s Steinway piano; one of two pianos stored under the stage in the Auditorium, ahead of the evening recital.

Branko Pajevic tunes Wigmore Hall’s Steinway piano; one of two pianos stored under the stage in the Auditorium, ahead of the evening recital.

Jonas’ photography documents unposed pictures always in ambient light, using a single 50mm manual focus lens on a Leica M series camera. Recent commissions of the photographer have included documentaries of Westminster Abbey, Westminster School, the Centenary of Women in the Metropolitan Police and the Natural History Museum’s scientists.

John Gilhooly, Director of Wigmore Hall said, ‘The poignant intimacy of Christopher’s work complements what we strive to achieve each day at Wigmore Hall – bringing our audiences ever closer to the greatest music performed by the greatest artists.’

The upcoming Wigmore season includes a collaboration between the Castalian Quartet, composer Charlotte Bray and artist Caroline Burraway, creating a musical response to the migration crisis on 21 October. Further highlights include the start of a year-long retrospective of composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, the Vaughan Williams 150th Anniversary Celebration Series from 13 October and the launch of major artist residencies, including violinist Hilary Hahn, countertenor Iestyn Davies, pianist Angela Hewitt and the Danish String Quartet.


Ayanna Witter-Johnson (voice, cello, piano, composition) and Thea Sayer (double bass) rehearsing for a concert featuring works by Witter-Johnson with a variety of guest performers (May 2022).

Ayanna Witter-Johnson (voice, cello, piano, composition) and Thea Sayer (double bass) rehearsing for a concert featuring works by Witter-Johnson with a variety of guest performers (May 2022).

Technicians moving a Yamaha piano off stage from Alexandre Tharaud’s lunchtime piano recital in October 2021 directly before the next piano comes on stage for Seong-Jin Cho’s rehearsal.

Technicians moving a Yamaha piano off stage from Alexandre Tharaud’s lunchtime piano recital in October 2021 directly before the next piano comes on stage for Seong-Jin Cho’s rehearsal.

Marlis Petersen (soprano) talking to Michael White (presenter) ahead of her livestreamed recital in November 2021

Marlis Petersen (soprano) talking to Michael White (presenter) ahead of her livestreamed recital in November 2021

William Vann (piano) and Njabulo Madlala (baritone) rehearsing in February 2022.

William Vann (piano) and Njabulo Madlala (baritone) rehearsing in February 2022.

Elena Urioste (violin) rehearsing ahead of Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective’s performance in June 2022.

Elena Urioste (violin) rehearsing ahead of Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective’s performance in June 2022.

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