In the world of classical music, the legacy of LGBTQ+ composers has often been overshadowed. However, initiatives like Classical Pride are changing that narrative. Founded by Oliver Zeffmanthis annual celebration is bringing queer artistry to the forefront, one performance at a time.
Zeffman, a 33-year-old conductor and director of Classical Pride, believes that classical music has a marketing problem. Despite the genre’s rich history of LGBTQ+ composers, it is often perceived as stuffy and straight. Classical Pride aims to challenge this perception and introduce classical music to new audiences.
From Violin Classes to Conducting
Zeffman’s journey into classical music began with violin classes at the age of three, a decision influenced by his high-achieving parents. Though he initially preferred playing with friends and video games, he stuck with the instrument into his teenage years. It was during this time that he decided to give conducting a try.
Conducting is not for the faint-hearted. It requires chutzpah and a certain level of ego to stand in front of 100 musicians. Zeffman didn’t have aristocratic nepotism to fall back on, so he took a guerilla approach. He assembled a motley orchestra from his high-school friends, acknowledging that they were all rubbish, but it was a start.
Education and Formative Experiences
Zeffman’s educational path took him to Durham University, where he studied History and French. His interest in Russian classical music led him to the St Petersburg Conservatory in his third year. This imposing 19th-century monument to the arts is where Tchaikovsky, one of Zeffman’s favorite composers, was taught. It was here that he received his first real conducting training.
After Durham, Zeffman enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music. He then worked his way into the industry, assisting conductors and networking. He felt that the classical music industry was turning into a relic and saw an opportunity to bring it into the modern era.
Founding Classical Pride
Classical Pride was launched in 2026, with the Barbican coming on board as a sponsor and host. The inaugural event featured performances by LGBTQ+ composers, including Bernstein, Caroline Shaw, and Tchaikovsky. Zeffman conducted the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, with soloists like pianist Pavel Kolesnikov and non-binary soprano singer Ella Taylor.
The event was a smash hit, selling out tickets and attracting audiences who might not have interacted with classical music before. The second year saw even bigger success, with performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race alums Thorgy Thor and Monét X Change. Zeffman notes that there is a lot of crossover between opera and drag, with both art forms embracing cross-dressing and campness.
Taking Classical Pride Global
In its third year, Classical Pride went global, performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. The event featured works by Jake Heggie and Jennifer Higdon, highlighting the diversity and richness of queer contributions to classical music.
This year, Classical Pride will feature works by Henriëtte Bosmans and a Baroque ball at the 17th-century Whitehall Palace. Zeffman points out that of the five big Baroque composers, three were gay, making Baroque an obvious subgenre for Classical Pride to explore.
Classical Pride is not just about recentring LGBTQ+ artists in the classical canon; it’s also about introducing classical music to new audiences and putting on a damn good show. With its varied programming and commitment to queer artistry, Classical Pride is hitting all the right notes.
