Joe Hisaishi conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall on Monday 23 November 2026. The legendary Studio Ghibli composer returns to London for “Hisaishi Conducts Hisaishi,” featuring the UK premiere of his Concerto for Orchestra. Tickets from £99.
Key Details
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday 23 November 2026 |
| Time | 7:30pm |
| Venue | Royal Albert Hall, London |
| Orchestra | Royal Philharmonic Orchestra |
| Conductor | Joe Hisaishi |
| Tickets | From £99 (Stalls), £110 (Grand Tier) |
What to Expect
This concert brings together two icons: Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Albert Hall. The programme features music spanning his 40-year career, from Studio Ghibli film scores to contemporary concert works.
UK Premiere: The highlight is the first UK performance of Hisaishi’s Concerto for Orchestra — a kaleidoscopic work that draws from minimalism, Romanticism, and Baroque influences.
Beyond the screen, Hisaishi’s concert music has been performed at the BBC Proms, Vienna’s Musikverein, and Seoul’s Lotte Concert Hall. This is a rare chance to hear him conduct his own orchestral works live.
The programme details are still to be confirmed, but expect a mix of:
- Original concert works
- Selections from his Studio Ghibli scores
- The UK premiere of Concerto for Orchestra
Who Is Joe Hisaishi?
Joe Hisaishi (久石譲, born 1950) is one of the most celebrated film composers in the world. He has scored every Hayao Miyazaki film since Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), including:
- My Neighbour Totoro
- Spirited Away
- Princess Mononoke
- Howl’s Moving Castle
- The Wind Rises
- The Boy and the Heron
His music is instantly recognisable — delicate piano melodies that ripple like grass in the wind, strings that soar into infinite blue skies. For millions of fans worldwide, his scores are inseparable from the Ghibli films they accompany.
Beyond film, Hisaishi is a prolific concert composer. He founded his own record label, Wonder City, and has released numerous albums of original minimalist and orchestral works. His Dream Songs: The Essential Joe Hisaishi (2013) compilation celebrates his career across both film and concert music.
Tickets
Tickets are available through the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and resale platforms.
Official booking:
Face value:
- Stalls: £99
- Grand Tier: £110
- Under 18: £11 (Second Tier boxes, Rear Arena, Front Circle)
- School groups: £7 per ticket (8+ people, pupils must outnumber staff)
Resale:
Note: Resale prices may be above face value.
Getting There
Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore London SW7 2AP
Transport:
- Tube: South Kensington (District, Circle, Piccadilly lines) — 10 minute walk
- Tube: High Street Kensington (District, Circle lines) — 10 minute walk
- Bus: 9, 10, 52, 70, 360, 452
- Parking: Limited on-street parking; nearby car parks at Imperial College and Kensington
The venue is in Kensington, surrounded by museums and Hyde Park.
Why Go?
Hisaishi rarely performs in the UK. His music has been heard by millions through Ghibli films, but experiencing it live — conducted by the composer himself — is something else entirely.
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the world’s great concert venues, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is one of London’s finest orchestras. The combination of Hisaishi’s music, his personal direction, and this setting creates an experience that goes beyond simply listening to a concert.
If you grew up with Totoro, cried at Spirited Away, or found wonder in Howl’s Moving Castle, this is your chance to hear that music performed live at the highest level.
More Japanese events in London: Hatsune Miku Expo at The O2 (12 November) and My Neighbour Totoro continues at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.