Tim Burton's Universe By Mystery Ensemble
Friday 30 October 2026
The National Centre For Early Music (NCEM), York
Welcome to the fantastical worlds of Tim Burton! We invite you to celebrate this Halloween weekend on a journey through the music that made it unforgettable. This unique concert will take place in the iconic National Centre of Early Music, located in the heart of York.
From the shimmering wonder of Alice in Wonderland to the festive magic of The Nightmare Before Christmas, from the haunting lyricism of Edward Scissorhands to the eccentric brilliance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — this concert immerses you in the soundscapes that shaped Burton’s unique cinematic universe.
At the heart of it all is the music of Danny Elfman, Burton’s lifelong collaborator and one of the most distinctive film composers of our time. Elfman’s music blends playfulness with menace, tenderness with grandeur — a perfect mirror of Burton’s visual imagination. Alongside Elfman, highlights include unforgettable moments from Corpse Bride, the cult favourite Beetlejuice, the gothic sweep of Batman, and the razor-sharp drama of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
In this premiere, Mystery Ensemble brings Burton’s worlds to life in unique arrangements. Expect soaring voices, bold instrumental colours, and an atmosphere that shifts in an instant — from the macabre to the magical, from the intimate to the epic.
This is not just a soundtrack concert — it is a live theatrical experience. The concert's mysterious magic will arise from the connection between the musicians and the surrounding architecture.
Feel as if you are stepping inside a Tim Burton movie itself!
Tickets
Medieval Carols By Candlelight
Tuesday 15 December 2026
The National Centre For Early Music, York, YO1 9TL
Brought to you by Elderwood, step into an evening of medieval and traditional carols performed by candlelight at the National Centre for Early Music, one of the city's most atmospheric historic settings. Perfect for anyone curious about early music, no prior knowledge needed, this is a warm and welcoming introduction to a sound world far older than the classical concert hall.
Featuring two voices alongside harp, fiddle, and percussion, the programme brings centuries-old carols and winter folk songs vividly to life, performed with the intimacy and warmth they were written for. Let the candlelight and the music transport you back through time, to an evening that feels closer to folklore than formal concert.
Whether you're a longtime lover of early music or simply looking for something different this Christmas, get your tickets now for Medieval Carols by Candlelight.
Angela Hicks and Jessica Conway - voice
May Robertson - fiddle
Clara Hyder - harp
Louise Anna Duggan - percussion
ticketsource.com
The National Centre for Early Music is based in a medieval church in York. Home of the internationally acclaimed York Early Music Festival, the NCEM promotes a year-round series of jazz, world, folk and early music concerts as well as a thriving education programme and Venue Hire.
ncem.co.uk
