As the summer of 2025 unfolds, music enthusiasts are gifted with an array of harmonious celebrations that span continents and genres. From the tranquil corners of Halle, Germany, with the Handel Memorial Ceremony, to the vibrant streets of Manchester, UK, hosting a series of spectacular choral events, these gatherings capture the essence of artistic brilliance. Conductors and performers alike bring to life the works of musical legends, offering attendees a chance to delve into the soul of music, nature, and cultural heritage. Join us as we explore the symphony of events that define this musical season.

A Symphony of Summer: Exploring the Grand Celebrations of Music

Dive into the symphonic world with a series of breathtaking musical events that spanned across Europe. From the solemn Ceremony at the Handel Memorial in Halle to the emotionally charged 'The Voice of Nature' in Manchester, music lovers experienced a diverse range of performances that celebrated the richness of chamber and choral music. The events, featuring renowned conductors and artists, offered audiences an unforgettable musical journey, concluding with the exuberant Manchester Classical 2025 Finale and an awe-inspiring Summer Concert at The Bridgewater Hall.

Harmonious Celebrations: A Journey Through Chamber and Choral Classics

The Hallé's upcoming series of musical events promises a rich tapestry of sound, emotion, and artistic brilliance. From the resounding choral classics to the dramatic orchestral pieces, the array of performances offers something for every music lover. This season, join the Hallé as they explore the depths of musical expression through renowned compositions and fresh interpretations led by distinguished conductors and performers. Discover the power of Mahler's symphonies, the intricate beauty of Handel's choral works, and the innovative reimaginings of John Adams. Prepare for an unforgettable musical journey.

A Harmonious Journey: Celebrating The Hallé's Diverse Musical Events

Prepare for a stellar musical experience as The Hallé Orchestra presents a series of captivating orchestral performances. From the cosmic intrigues of 'The Planets' to the poetic depths of 'A Sea Symphony', and the fresh awakening in 'Spring', each event promises a unique auditory journey. Join renowned conductors and performers like Kahchun Wong, Chen Reiss, and Sir Mark Elder as they bring to life the works of iconic composers at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. Delve into the celestial, oceanic, and seasonal themes that weave through this unforgettable series.

A Symphony of Celestial and Oceanic Journeys: The Hallé's Upcoming Orchestral Highlights

Experience the grandeur of orchestral music in a series of captivating performances at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. From the celestial explorations of Unsuk Chin's revised 'Le Chant des Enfants des Étoiles' and Holst’s 'The Planets' to Vaughan Williams’ 'A Sea Symphony' and Rachmaninoff's dramatic 'Spring', these events bring together renowned conductors, singers, and composers for an unforgettable journey through music and themes that resonate beyond the venue walls.

A Celestial and Oceanic Musical Journey at The Bridgewater Hall

Following his acclaimed performance at the Hallé’s 2023 BBC Proms concert, Ukrainian baritone Andrii Kymach and the Hallé Choir once again join forces for a work by Rachmaninov. Based on the poem by Nikolay Nekrasov, and quite opposed to its joyful title, Spring follows a husband who, previously inflicted with murderous thoughts towards his unfaithful wife during the winter, is released from his frustration with the return of spring. Stravinsky’s Song of the Nightingale – an effective musical illustration of both real and mechanical birdsong – begins proceedings. Following it is Prokofiev’s enigmatic Dreams, the composer’s earliest surviving orchestral work and finally, Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony, often dubbed ‘Little Russian’ thanks to its effective use of Ukrainian folksongs, provides a joyful end to the evening.

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The Hallé – Spring with Sir Mark Elder

The Bridgewater Hall

Through its use of the chorus and vocal soloists as an integral part of its texture, Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony was a groundbreaking work in the symphonic and choral repertoire. Crafted around the poetic words of Walt Whitman, the work vividly and poignantly illustrates the journey of the human soul, through the metaphor of intrepid sailors weighing the anchor and exploring the ocean wide.

A Sea Symphony

Tarmo Peltokoski is joined by a duo of star-studded soloists and two generations of Hallé singers for Vaughan Williams’ immense Sea Symphony, a groundbreaking work in the symphonic and choral repertoire for its use of the chorus and vocal soloists as an integral part of its texture. Crafted around the poetic words of Walt Whitman, the work vividly and poignantly illustrates the journey of the human soul, through the metaphor of intrepid sailors weighing the anchor and exploring the ocean wide. In the first half of the concert, we hear Chen Reiss’ performance of Mahler’s gloriously romantic Rückert-Lieder. Mahler was driven by melody – often incorporating many of his favourites within the symphonies for which he is known – and this quintet of songs contains some of his best.

The Hallé – A Sea Symphony

In a magnificent chorus of Hallé singers, the Choir and Children’s Choir join Kahchun Wong for a celestial trio. Unsuk Chin’s Le Chant des Enfants des Étoiles is an intensely atmospheric work which will take you on an exploration through the stars and the infinite reaches of space. Recently revised by the composer, this concert presents the exciting world premiere of this updated version. While the most recognised of Holst’s The Planets in modern times are perhaps Mars, the Bringer of War and Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity (featured in ‘I Vow to Thee, My Country’), hearing the complete suite in order provides an incredible musical journey through the solar system. Commissioned by the Hallé, Colin Matthews rose to the irresistible challenge of writing a complementary movement to Holst’s The Planets. A flurry of solar winds in the strings, and the lightning-fast scherzo Pluto, the Renewer was formed.

The Hallé – The Planets

This cherished tradition truly signifies the start of the festive season for many of you, so immerse yourself in the heart-warming music and carols, performed with the Hallé family’s unique splendour and brilliance.

Hallé Carol Concerts

Step into the timeless magic of Christmas with the Hallé’s ever-popular carol concerts.

The Hallé – Carol Concerts

Jeannette Sorrell’s approach to Handel’s Messiah has been universally praised for its refreshingly unique interpretation. In this concert, we’ll explore its dramatic potential to full effect – after all, an oratorio is effectively an opera, just without the staging and costumes – and Sorrell takes the view that a more theatrical production is precisely what Handel intended.

Messiah

Grammy winner Jeannette Sorrell is joined by some of the country’s finest opera stars and the Hallé Choir for an innovative and theatrical production of Handel’s classic that has been universally praised for its refreshingly unique interpretation. In this concert, we’ll explore its dramatic potential to full effect – after all, an oratorio is effectively an opera, just without the staging and costumes – and Sorrell takes the view that a more theatrical production is precisely what Handel intended. Messiah is 284 years old this year and has been performed countless times in that period (the Hallé alone have performed it almost every year – sometimes more than once – since 1859). Tonight’s concert provides a strikingly original take on this much-loved work.

The Hallé – Messiah

This very special concert, celebrating the Hallé Choir, offers a thrilling and rare opportunity to hear the full ranks of the Hallé Choir’s dedicated singers performing a cappella or with organ accompaniment whilst the orchestra is away on tour. Comprised of almost 200 singers from around the North West, the Hallé Choir’s performances garner them great acclaim from critics and great affection from audiences. With this handpicked programme, compiled by their inspiring Director Matthew Hamilton, they will explore musical creations celebrating the well-known – and perhaps less well-known – heroes of the choral repertoire. The concert includes a performance of Duruflé’s Requiem: often dramatic, it is filled with resignation, hope and terror, ending with the flight of the soul to Paradise.

The Hallé – An Afternoon with the Hallé Choir

This very special concert offers a thrilling and rare opportunity to hear the full ranks of the Hallé Choir’s dedicated singers performing a cappella or with organ accompaniment whilst the orchestra is away on tour.

An Afternoon With The Hallé Choir

In a full-circle event, Slonimsky’s Earbox – dedicated to the Russian-American musicologist and his legendary Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns – returns to The Bridgewater Hall, where the Hallé gave the world premiere in 1996. Mary Bevan, renowned for her ‘dramatic wit and vocal control’ (Opera), takes a starring role in Le Livre de Baudelaire, Adams’ reimagining of Debussy’s Cinq Poèmes de Charles Baudelaire.

The Hallé Presents: Adams Conducts Harmonium

John Adams makes his much-anticipated return to the Hallé to conduct a selection of his best-loved works. In a full-circle event, Slonimsky’s Earbox – dedicated to the Russian-American musicologist and his legendary Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns – returns to The Bridgewater Hall, where the Hallé gave the world premiere in 1996. Mary Bevan, renowned for her ‘dramatic wit and vocal control’ (Opera), takes a starring role in Le Livre de Baudelaire, Adams’ reimagining of Debussy’s Cinq Poèmes de Charles Baudelaire. We will also enjoy her version of Pat’s contemplative, hopeful aria from Adams’ 1987 opera, Nixon in China. The voices of the Hallé Choir will feature in Harmonium, a surging poetic soundscape regarded as one of the composer’s key minimalist compositions.

The Hallé Presents… Adams conducts Harmonium

Our first Rush Hour concert of the season, conducted by Kahchun Wong and featuring Anna Lapwood, is packed full of musical treats – a perfect excuse to skip the traffic.

Rush Hour: Enigma Variations

Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony offers a panoramic vision of human existence and hope for the life beyond – suffering, redemption and renewal generated by huge orchestral and choral forces.

BBC Proms – Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony

Royal Albert Hall

“… the waves of sound produced by the Hallé Choir instilled a sense of uplift that can only be produced by an exceptional chorus at the peak of its form”. The Guardian

Step into a world of musical masterpieces as Matthew Hamilton leads the combined forces of the Hallé orchestra and Choir in an evening of choral and orchestral brilliance.

Feel the power of Handel’s Zadok the Priest, the soaring melodies of Parry’s I Was Glad, the drama of Mozart’s Magic Flute Overture and the sweeping intensity of Verdi’s Force of Destiny Overture.

Summer Concert: Choral Classics

Musicians from Manchester’s ensembles assemble under the baton of Alpesh Chauhan for a spectacular concert of fanfares and flourishes to celebrate the finale of a spectacular weekend of music.

Manchester Classical 2025 – Finale

‘My music is always the voice of nature.’

A hymn to the natural world, Gustav Mahler takes on the elements in a work like no
other. Writing for huge forces, Mahler was so consumed by his Third Symphony that he was convinced that it had a life of its own. Indeed, it has all the energy of an offshore wind farm – but whilst this is music of the Earth, it is also music of the soul. Here, Mahler is on
a spiritual quest, one of extreme emotional highs and lows. The earthshattering climax is a paean to love.

The Voice of Nature

Ceremony at the Handel Memorial

Marktplatz

### Event Description: The Snowman - The Hallé

**Event Dates and Times:**
- **Saturday, 21st December 2024:** 4:00 PM
- **Sunday, 22nd December 2024:** 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM

**Venue:**
- **The Bridgewater Hall**, Manchester’s premier international concert venue, designed to provide the best possible space for music.

**Event Overview:**
Experience the captivating blend of music and storytelling with The Hallé’s presentation of "The Snowman." This enchanting event is perfect for audiences of all ages, offering a magical journey through music and animation.

**Programme:**
1. **Rachel Portman - Mimi and the Mountain Dragon:**
   - Join Mimi on a perilous journey to return a baby dragon to its mother. This story will unfold on the Hallé big screen, accompanied by members of the Hallé Choir and Hallé Youth Training Choir.
2. **Howard Blake - The Snowman (Cert U):**
   - Be transported to a world of fantasy as Raymond Briggs’ timeless tale, "The Snowman," is brought to life with Howard Blake’s wonderful score. The performance will include the iconic song "Walking in the Air."

**Conductor:**
- **Olivia Clarke**

**Featuring:**
- **Hallé Choir**
- **Hallé Youth Training Choir**

**Runtime:**
- 90 minutes

**Ticket Information:**
- **Adult Full Price:** £28
- **Child (aged 17 and under):** £18
- **Family Ticket (4 people, minimum 1 child):** £70
- Concessions and discounts are available.

**Additional Information:**
Under the guidance of Olivia Clarke, prepare to be transported to a world of fantasy and adventure. This event promises to be a memorable experience, combining the magic of live music with the charm of classic storytelling.

**Booking:**
- Tickets are available for purchase online. Secure your seats for this enchanting holiday event and create lasting memories with your family and friends.

Don't miss out on this festive celebration of music and storytelling at The Bridgewater Hall. Book your tickets now and immerse yourself in the magical world of "The Snowman."

The Snowman

Our traditional and much-loved Christmas celebration for orchestra, choirs and audience including the Hallelujah Chorus, O Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, music from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Once in Royal David’s City and In Dulci Jubilo and more. The Hallé Children’s Choir will once again steal the show, this year performing I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas.

The Hallé - Carol Concert

Hallé Christmas

Ostensibly, Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony was his tribute to Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. Under the surface, however, was a bold critique of Soviet leaders and the chaos ensuing even after the war ended. The final movement uses The Dance of the Bones (a favourite of Stalin’s), a sardonic signpost to the decreasing food supplies in post-war Russia at the time.

Rush Hour: Shostakovich’s Ninth

Gustav Holst takes us on an epic interstellar journey across our solar system, exhilarating and mysterious. From Mars the Warrior to the Ice Giants of Uranus and Neptune, The Planets is a musical vision like no other.

There are more celestial sounds in store from Royal Northern College of Music alumni Grace-Evangeline Mason. Her ABLAZE THE MOON has been described as ‘an amorous nocturne’ and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra performed its premiere at the BBC Proms in 2023.

BBC Philharmonic - The Planets 

BBC Philharmonic

Gustav Holst takes us on an epic interstellar journey across our solar system, exhilarating and mysterious. From Mars the Warrior to the Ice Giants of Uranus and Neptune, The Planets is a musical vision like no other.

The Planets

Ballet music. Certificate 18. Winter exhales. The Earth gasps into life. The Rite of Spring welcomes in the vernal equinox, Siberian-style. Full of barbaric rituals and savage dances, the orchestra is turned by Stravinsky into a collective of cave people. Come and find out why it caused a riot at its Paris premiere in 1913. Shostakovich’s celebration takes on the form of a procession with his Third Symphony, ‘The First of May’, in a series of riotous marches culminating in his own Ode to Joy-like chorus. Rousing, uplifting music for the people. And to complete our spring harvest, ravishing swathes of sound and colour, part English idyll, part Impressionist painting. Frank Bridge’s vision of spring unfurls in one of the most individual British tone poems of the 20th century. The concert also celebrates the 100th birthday of the BBC Philharmonic’s former Chief Conductor, Sir Edward Downes, who had a special love of Russian music which is featured in this programme.

Hallé Choir

May 7, 2026

The Hallé – Spring with Sir Mark Elder

16 - 19 Apr, 2026

A Sea Symphony

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