A celebration of Schubert is among the gems on offer in the classical year, explains Nicola Lisle

Last year was all about Benjamin Britten in the classical music world, with some stunning concerts throughout 2013. How on earth do you follow that?

Step forward The Schubert Project, Oxford Lieder Festival’s ambitious extravaganza that looks set to be one of the must-do events of the year. Schubert’s treasure trove of songs — around 650 in all — inspired the festival’s creation in 2002, and will now be at the heart of a three-week celebration that will see these exquisite masterpieces performed in their entirety for the first time ever.

There will also be other Schubert vocal and instrumental works — some of which are rarely performed — as well as art, food and drink that will capture the essence of Schubert’s Vienna. Singers confirmed so far include Oxford Lieder’s patron, Sir Thomas Allen, with other familiar names such as Sarah Connolly, James Gilchrist, Robert Holl, Christopher Maltman, Daniel Norman, Roderick Williams and many more.

The Schubert Project takes place in October, but if you can’t wait until then you can enjoy Oxford Lieder’s new recording; Schubert: Year by Year, which was released on Stone Records and features one song from each year of Schubert’s working life. Artists include James Gilchrist, Mary Bevan, Daniel Norman, Benjamin Hulett, Marcus Farnsworth and Anna Huntley, with Oxford Lieder’s artistic director, Sholto Kynoch, on the piano. Schubert: Year by Year is available as a CD or download by visiting www.schubert.oxford lieder.co.uk.

If Schubert doesn’t float your boat, there’s a huge variety of other classical music happening throughout the region. For opera lovers, Ellen Kent makes a welcome return to the New Theatre in April with the Chisinau National Opera and National Philharmonic in a pair of Verdi classics — Nabucco (featuring the famous Hebrew Slaves chorus) and Aida. Expect stunning, spectacular productions, with lavish costumes and sets, lots of special effects and magnificent pyrotechnics.

Another must-see at the New Theatre is tenor Russell Watson, who will be performing from his new album, Only One Man, a collection of songs written especially for him by Les Misérables and Miss Saigon writers Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boubil. For both events, visit www.atgtickets.com/oxford for details and booking.

In July, Bampton Classical Opera celebrates the 300th anniversary of Gluck’s birth with the UK stage première of his 1765 opera Il Parnaso confuso, a comedy of manners originally composed for the daughters of Empress Maria Theresa. It will be paired with another short opera, Orfeo, by Gluck’s contemporary, Ferdinando Bertoni. This charming double bill will be unveiled at The Deanery Garden, Bampton, before going on to Bury Court Barn in Surrey, Westonbirt School in Gloucestershire and London’s famous St John’s Smith Square.

For more details and booking, visit www.bamptonopera.org/booking.

If you were enchanted by Opera Anywhere’s productions of The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance at Blackwell’s Bookshop in 2013, you can catch both productions again at Waterperry Gardens in June. Visit www.operaanywhere.com for more information.

There’s G&S at the Oxford Playhouse, too, when Opera della Luna visits in March with its delightfully fresh and funny take on The Mikado. Visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com for details.

As always, Music at Oxford has a mouth-watering feast coming up, starting this month with the welcome return of the Philharmonia Orchestra, the charismatic conductor Andris Nelsons and pianist Helene Grimaud, for a Brahms double bill — the virtuosic Piano Concerto No.2 and the glorious Symphony No.4.

In March, the Choir of Merton College marks the college’s 750th anniversary with a performance of Elgar’s magnificent The Dream of Gerontius, featuring soloists Sarah Connolly, Richard Edgar-Wilson and Benedict Nelson, with conductor Benjamin Nicholas. There’s another choral masterpiece to enjoy later that month when Oxford Bach Choir returns with Bach’s St. John Passion, conducted by Nicholas Cleobury.

Other highlights of Music at Oxford’s season include the continuation of the Elias Quartet’s Beethoven series, a recital by popular pianist Paul Lewis and much more. Visit www.musicatoxford.com for full details.

There’s plenty of goodies, too, from Oxford Philomusica, including the traditional Grand Viennese Ball, featuring music by members of the Strauss family, Mozart’s Requiem, Bach at Easter, the continuation of the Chamber Series, more FUNomusica family concerts and the final of the Youth Concerto Competition. Big names appearing during the season include Nigel Kennedy, Maxim Vengerov and Dmitry Sitkovetsky. Visit www.oxfordphil.com for more information.

Before all this, though, don’t miss the City of Oxford Orchestra’s magnificent Viennese New Year concert on January 18, featuring Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Concerto for Flute and Harp, as well as Strauss waltzes, polkas and marches. The orchestra will be joined by Graham Mayger (flute), Pamela Hay (soprano) and Lucy Wakeford (harp), with regular conductor Stephen Bell.

Other season highlights include the traditional Valentine’s concert, Salute to Love, with pianist Tom Poster and violinist/director Roland Roberts, as well as the 49th birthday concert and Springtime Baroque. More details available on www.cityofoxford orchestra.co.uk.

The Jacqueline du Pré Music Building has a busy concert schedule coming up, starting with the return of its experimental MASH series, which this term features John Cage’s Roaratorio. There are also the usual lunchtime recitals, family concerts and the piano and chamber music series. Stand-out recitals include pianist Bernard D’Ascoli, harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani and the Fitzwilliam and Cavaleri Quartets. For full details, visit www.sthildas.ox.ac. uk/jdp-music-building.