Innovation has been central to the Hallé since its foundation in 1858 by Sir Charles Hallé, a true pioneer. His fundamental belief that music should be for everyone remains central to the orchestra’s vision today, yet the Hallé is much more than just a world-leading symphony orchestra. Its collective spirit can be felt in the variety of communities it embraces, the diversity of the ensembles it nurtures and the array of different concerts it offers.
“…The Hallé has struck gold with its new appointment. Wong is a hugely gifted, properly serious maestro, who is bound to grow and grow.” - Ivan Hewitt, The Telegraph, September 2024
Since Hallé’s death in 1895, his ground-breaking work has been continued by other musical legends: Hans Richter, Hamilton Harty, John Barbirolli and most recently Sir Mark Elder, who stepped down as Music Director at the end of last season after almost a quarter of a century at the helm. Now, as Sir Mark assumes the mantle of Conductor Emeritus, the baton passes to Kahchun Wong to open a new chapter in the Hallé’s history as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor.
Framing his inaugural Manchester season between Mahler’s First and Beethoven’s last symphony (featuring the Hallé Choir in its famous choral finale), Kahchun Wong will also mark Bruckner’s bicentenary, introduce Hallé audiences to some of his favourite composers from the Far East, and revisit Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony, the work with which the orchestra first experienced his very special magic.
Other season highlights include specially-curated concerts by Thomas Adès’, in his second season as Artist-in-Residence, a brand-new Concerto for Orchestra by long-term Hallé collaborator Huw Watkins and, following on from the success of last season’s immersive American Minimalism festival, a three-concert celebration of Philip Glass. Two hugely popular initiatives introduced in 2023 continue: our hour-long ‘Rush Hour’ concerts and ‘The Hallé Presents …’, a series of unique collaborations with celebrated artists from non-classical genres. As well as specially devised family performances, there is also a series of ‘relaxed’ concerts and a lunchtime Chamber Series that frequently sells out.
At the heart of the Hallé are its players, led by their two dynamic Leaders, Roberto Ruisi and Emily Davis. Hailing from over 14 different countries, our orchestra members are all extraordinary, multi-skilled individuals in their own right – soloists, chamber musicians, educators and more – who, when united in concert, create the unique and world-famous Hallé sound.
Originally based in Manchester’s Free Trade Hall, the Hallé has been resident at the specially built Bridgewater Hall, one of the world’s great concert venues, since 1996 and now performs to over 100,000 people there every year. Hallé St Peter’s opened in the resurgent area of Ancoats in 2013; now including the triple RIBA Award-winning Oglesby Centre, it provides a home for the Hallé to rehearse, record and perform, as well as a base for Hallé Connect, the Hallé’s extensive education, community outreach and ensembles programme.
One of the biggest initiatives of its kind in the world, Hallé Connect’s education and outreach projects inspire and engage more than 76,000 people a year, bringing music in its broadest sense to many who have never before visited a concert hall. The ever-expanding family of ensembles welcomes over 700 people, aged eight and upwards, through its doors each week.
In addition, the Hallé holds residencies in major cities across the North, performs regularly at prestigious international festivals, such as Edinburgh and the BBC Proms, and tours overseas, reaching another 70,000 listeners, both here and abroad. Encouraged by an enhanced social media presence, the Hallé has seen a dramatic increase in younger audiences, as well as the launch of its own record label, filmed concerts released online, expanded repertoire with brand-new commissions, and numerous awards including a 2022 South Bank Sky Arts Award.
