The Halle Anniversary Concert 30th January

Manchester's world-famous orchestra celebrates 150 years of classical music with a stunning anniversary concert.

When the first of "Mr Charles Hallé's Grand Orchestral Concerts" took place at Manchester's Free Trade Hall, it caused a sensation. At that time Manchester was undergoing a period of change. Famous only for its cotton industry, the city was beginning to move towards a reputation as an important city for culture after the success of the Art Treasures exhibition, which saw over 1600 important pieces of fine art, sculpture, ceramics, metalworks and other art forms collected in the biggest exhibition ever outside London.

At the time, Charles Hallé was one of the leading musicians in England. After spending some years in Paris where he enjoyed the company of musicians such as Chopin and Liszt, he had arrived in Manchester in 1848. Ten years later, on 30th January 1858, Charles Hallé presided over the first of his Grand Orchestral Concerts and England's first ever symphony orchestra was created.

Since then, the Hallé Orchestra has become one of England's most well-respected orchestras and the forthcoming anniversary concert celebrates this. Each piece and performance has been carefully chosen to represent the highlights of the Hallé's history. For example, acclaimed pianist Polina Leschenko's performance of Weber's Konzertstück in F minor  echoes Hallé's performance of the piece in the first concert; Le Corsaire recalls Hallé's close association with Berlioz; These Premises are Alarmed was commissioned from Thomas Adès for a modern landmark, the Hallé's arrival in The Bridgewater Hall in 1996. As well as the Hallé Orchestra and visiting performers, the Anniversary also features the Hallé Youth Orchestra, the Hallé Choir and the Hallé Youth Choir.

Both Charles Hallé and the orchestra he inspired are well-known for the work they have done in providing education and opportunities to musicians and therefore a proportion of the proceeds of the concert will be donated to the Hallé's outreach programme.

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