Manchester Classical unites the city’s best musical organisations at The Bridgewater Hall

Taking place on Sat 24 and Sun 25 Jun, Manchester Classical gathers the city’s esteemed musical organisations for a breath-taking festival of orchestral performances, food, crafts and free entertainment at The Bridgewater Hall.

In an unprecedented collaboration between The Bridgewater Hall, the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata and Manchester Collective, Manchester Classical hosts a series of hour-long concerts spanning seminal symphonic masterpieces, captivating minimalist compositions and more, offering a searing compositional palette for both the classical enthusiast and newcomers who have yet to experience the soul-stirring power of orchestral music.

Beginning with a celebration of Victoria Wood’s songs starring the Hallé Children’s Choir, Saturday’s line-up includes Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra by the BBC Philharmonic (1.30pm) and a concert for small ensemble featuring Steve Reich’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Double Sextet by Manchester Collective (4.30pm).

A free, intimate performance by Psappha continues the contemporary style (5.30pm), followed by a rendition of John Harle’s Briggflatts by the Hallé and superstar saxophonist Jess Gilliam and Mussorgsky’s legendary Pictures At An Exhibition (7pm).

The Saturday is brought to a close with a late-night sonic meditation, alongside two newly orchestrated works from renowned violinist Daniel Pioro’s latest album Saint Boy, performed by Manchester Camerata and Pioro himself (10pm).

On Sunday, the BBC Philharmonic perform pieces from Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances and Dawson’s Folk Symphony (11am) before delivering a magisterial rendition of Coleridge-Taylor’s Ballade and Kodaly’s Dances of Galánta (2.30pm).. Fresh from a riotously received premiere, the Hallé close the festival with a triumphantly boisterous rendition of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring (5.30pm).

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, 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.”

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. Click here for more info.