Nikita Lukinov [lukinoff.com]

WATCH OUR ONLINE POLITICS CHANNEL, PEEPS, ON YOUTUBE

MUSIC history is worryingly full of genius-potential women edged into the shadows of more famous husbands (Clara Schumann), brothers (Nannerl Mozart, Fanny Mendelssohn), or fathers (Imogen Holst). But there’s a robust industry of reappraisal active these days – with results like the concert happening at St Andrew’s Holborn, Nov 24, which features the somewhat delayed public premiere of a violin concerto written by Imogen Holst back in 1935. The soloist is Midori Komachi, a Japanese violinist with an interest in neglected English music. And also on the bill is Gerald Finzi’s Eclogue, a meditative miniature piano concerto played here by Drew Steanson. Details: elgarsinfonialondon.co.uk

• You know it’s close to Christmas when the Messiahs start rolling in, and there are at least two this week: at Westminster Abbey, Nov 26, featuring the Abbey Choir and Academy of Ancient Music; and at Smith Square, Nov 27, done by the Parliament Choir – an ensemble of politicos whose voices don’t always join in harmony but make an effort here for Handel. Booking for both concerts at sinfoniasmithsq.org.uk

• Other choral concerts this week include Poulenc’s brazenly beautiful Gloria at St James Muswell Hill, Nov 23 (northlondonchorus.org) and Karl Jenkins’s Armed Man at St Mary’s Primrose Hill, Nov 24 (londonclassicalchoir.com). But a standout event is Nov 22 when the brilliant French group Le Concert Spirituel visit St James Spanish Place for an evening of late 19th century incense-saturated choral works by Gounod and Fauré. It in fact counts as a Wigmore concert relocated to a more incense-appropriate space. Hence booking: wigmore-hall.org.uk . And be quick: this will sell.

• On the opera stage, I heartily recommend ENO’s new Elixir of Love (flagged last week but now up and running) which turns out to be a total joy – cleverly updated to WW2 England, complete with land-army girls, black-marketeers, and moustachio’d RAF officers. Superbly sung, staged and conducted, it’s a welcome indication of fighting spirit from a troubled company. Runs to Dec 3. eno.org

• Meanwhile, the Royal Opera is reviving its trusty Tosca, Nov 26-Dec 13, with Bryn Terfel as the villainous Scarpia and Natalya Romaniw as the woman who gives him what he deserves (a knife between the ribs). rbo.org.uk. And the Royal College of Music has a triple-bill based around Ravel’s erotic comedy L’Heure Espagnol, Nov 25-30 rcm.ac.uk

• Thinking of emergent artists, the City Music Foundation has another of its lunchtime livery company platforms for young talent, Nov 25: this one for pianist Nikita Lukinov who plays Debussy at Armourer’s Hall. citymusicfoundation.org. And I hear good things about Shirley Smart and Dominic Ingham, a cello and violin duo who play Bartok, jazz impro and all things between, Nov 27, at the intimate Salon Music venue, Highgate. salonmusic.co.uk

• Finally, something special and – moreover – free. The much-loved baritone Benjamin Luxon died earlier this year, and there’s a tribute to him at Wigmore Hall, Nov 28, that involves great names of British music like Janet Baker, Thomas Allen and Mark Elder. Needless to add, they’ll be speaking, not singing. But a performance of Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music is scheduled. And it will be popular; so, free or not, you need to book (wigmore-hall.org.uk)