On 24 and 25 June 2023, Manchester’s top classical organisations are collaborating for Manchester Classical, a festival weekend celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage.

Music will burst from The Bridgewater Hall from early till late for 48 fantastic hours on 24 and 25 June. Manchester Classical will see the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata, Manchester Collective and a host of stellar artists come together for a breath-taking weekend of music, film, food, crafts and free foyer entertainment, all in and around The Bridgewater Hall.

  • Leading orchestras and ensembles collaborate for a spectacular weekend of music at The Bridgewater Hall
  • Free foyer performances
  • Free craft activities for families
  • Keep up to date at www.mcrclassical.org

There will be hour-long concerts throughout the weekend on the main stage featuring dazzling orchestral music from iconic symphonic works to hypnotic minimalist masterpieces. Check out www.mcrclassical.org for all the latest information, which will be updated regularly.

Free performances will take place in the foyers and The Barbirolli Room from ground-breaking groups including Psappha, the Hallé choirs and students from the RNCM.

This will be the perfect opportunity for anyone who has never experienced the power of orchestral music, or visited The Bridgewater Hall before, to experience something new and exciting.

Food and drink will be available throughout the weekend as well a programme of craft activities in the foyers. Details will be announced on social media and at www.mcrclassical.org.

Main concerts in the auditorium will be priced at just £2 for anyone under 16 and £10 for standard tickets. Extra value day and weekend passes will also be available. Details can be found on www.mcrclassical.org.

The confirmed line-up for the weekend so far includes:

Saturday:

11am – The Hallé A Victoria Wood celebration for families and the young at heart! Featuring the Hallé Children’s Choir and special family arrangements of Victoria Wood songs. Please note this concert is not part of the day or weekender tickets.

1.30pm – BBC Philharmonic will perform a lunchtime concert showcasing Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra. Every section of the orchestra has the chance to shine!

4.30pm – Manchester Collective will merge contemporary and classical sound worlds with a concert for small ensemble, the highlight being Steve Reich’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Double Sextet set to visuals projections.

5.30pm – Psappha will perform an intimate concert in The Barbirolli Room.

7pm – The Hallé teams up with star saxophonist Jess Gilliam who performs John Harle’s Briggflatts followed by Mussorgsky’s famous Pictures At An Exhibition.

10pm – Manchester Camerata and violinist Daniel Pioro perform a late-night concert beginning with a sonic meditation for orchestra alongside two newly orchestrated works from Pioro’s recently released album, Saint Boy.

Sunday:

11am – BBC Philharmonic open the second day with a performance including Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances and Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony (The Bonds of Africa).

2.30pm – BBC Philharmonic’s second concert of the day features Coleridge-Taylor’s Ballade and Kodaly’s Dances of Galánta.

5.30pm – The Hallé will bring the weekend to a close with a performance of Stravinsky’s riotous ballet score The Rite of Spring. It caused a riot at its premier, and we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

David Butcher, Chief Executive of the Hallé said:

“Manchester Classical is a unique event bringing together Manchester’s world class orchestras for the first time in a packed festival of concerts and events across the weekend of 24 and 25 June. The Bridgewater Hall opens its doors on both days with main stage concerts, foyer shows, films, food and drink. We hope audiences across the North West and further afield will come to experience and celebrate the power of orchestral music and Manchester’s unique offer.”

Andrew Bolt, Chief Executive of The Bridgewater Hall said:

“I am delighted that the Hall through the support of ASM Global will take a central role in support of so many of Manchester and Salford’s world-class ensembles and artists in hosting this inclusive initiative, and I look forward to this being the first of an ongoing and developing city-wide festival introducing the exciting world of classical music in all its forms to the people of Greater Manchester.”