The world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a thriving creative environment for actors and musicians, theatre technicians and stage managers, in which to train and development to the highest levels. One of the top ten such performing arts institutions in the world, it’s no wonder the Guildhall School offers a programme of public events in various halls throughout the City of London and further that stretches a year’s breadth, let alone a month’s, attracting and producing world-class performers. Here are One City’s top picks for May.

(1) Elmira Darvarova – Masterclass/Artist Conversation (Monday 7th May, 2pm)

Former concertmaster of the New York Metropolitan Opera (the first and only woman in the role), as well as a Guildhall School alumna herself, Darvarova is holding an open workshop on opera orchestra solos (from Mozart to Verdi, to Wagner and Smetana) and a subsequent Q&A session. Quite the amazing lady, to put it mildly (concert violinist from 4 years of age, Grammy Award-nominated, and praised the world over), this is not to be missed – no matter your level of or interest in musicianship.

Milton Court Concert Hall; admission free.

(2) The Prince Consort Side by Side (Wednesday 9th May, 1pm)

Known for an originality of approach in the commission of new works and world-class performances, The Prince Consort here fulfils their other passion of supporting new and emerging performers, teaming up with the Guildhall’s own considerably talented singers and pianists. Schumann’s Spanisches Liederspiel, Op. 74 will be among the songs, duets, and ensembles they perform at the superb, globally renowned Wigmore Hall.

Wigmore Hall; tickets £5.

(3) The Gold Medal 2018 (Thursday 10th May, 7pm)

The Gold Medal is the Guildhall School’s own ‘prestigious prize’ for musicians (previous winners have included Jacqueline du Pré in 1960 and Sir Bryn Terfel in 1989) and 2018 is the year for instrumentalists. Conducted by James Judd (who is also on the judging panel), each will perform a concerto with the Guildhall Symphony Orchestra. The three finalists are Ljubica Stojanovic on piano (who will be tackling Prokofiev’s popular Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26); Joon Yoon, also on piano (performing Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15); and Dan-Iulian Drutac on violin (bringing to the stage Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, the composer’s only concerto). Sure to be an evening of sheer musical brilliance.

Barbican Hall; tickets £20 (concessions available).

(4) Robert Levin / Robert Levin Lecture-Recital – Masterclass/Artist Conversation (Monday 28th – 30th May, 10am / 7pm)

Professor Robert Levin is one of those after whose name the list of accolades seems to run ever on: “one of the most influential living classical improvisers”, scholar at Harvard University, internationally renowned concert musician, and so on and so forth. Returning to the Guildhall School for his annual residency, the Lecture-Recital will focus on Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s Sonatas with Varied Reprises and their influence on keyboard music within the Classical period (and beyond).

Silk Street Music Hall; admission free.