Manchester is once again set to prove its credentials as a premier European destination for classical music with the return of Manchester Classical, taking place at The Bridgewater Hall from 27 to 29 June 2025
Building on the collaborative spirit that earned its inaugural edition the “Series and Events” Award at the 2024 Royal Philharmonic Society Awards, this year’s festival brings together the city’s foremost orchestras, ensembles and choirs for a weekend that showcases Manchester’s vibrant musical scene. Audiences can look forward to performances from
the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Opera (ENO), Manchester Collective, Riot Ensemble and
the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). The year’s
line-up is designed to appeal to both seasoned listeners and those curious to discover something new, with a mix of classical masterworks, contemporary pieces and family-friendly events.
The festival launches with a celebration of Steve Reich’s pioneering minimalism. The Hallé, conducted by Colin Currie, will be joined by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, who takes the solo role in Reich’s hypnotic Pulse—scored for wind, strings, piano and electric bass. The programme also features Reich’s Clapping Music and Variations for Vibes, Piano
and Strings.
The weekend line-up offers something for all ages and tastes. Saturday begins with the Hallé Children’s Choir performing songs from stage and screen, followed by the RNCM Symphony Orchestra and Chorus performing Mahler’s monumental Second Symphony. The innovative Riot Ensemble brings a contemporary edge to the main stage in the afternoon, while the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Anja Bihlmaier, concludes the day with a programme including Gershwin’s popular Rhapsody in Blue, featuring pianist Hayato Sumino, and works by Richard Strauss and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances.
Family audiences are in for a treat on Sunday morning as the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, under Robert Ames, performs Stefano Cabrero’s score live to a screening of Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures. At lunchtime, the Hallé and the ENO Chorus, which is making its Manchester debut, join forces for a concert of opera favourites by Puccini, Verdi and Britten. Later, Manchester Collective presents The Body Electric, an adventurous programme featuring music by Bach, Missy Mazzoli and Julia Wolfe.
The festival culminates in a spectacular joint concert, as musicians from across the weekend’s ensembles unite under Alpesh Chauhan for Respighi’s The Pines of Rome, John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine, and a new commission by Iain Farrington, written especially for the festival.
“Manchester Classical represents the forward-thinking, collaborative spirit of Manchester,” says David Butcher, Chief Executive of the Hallé. “We are delighted to showcase the rich and diverse talent of the city’s classical and choral scene with this inspiring festival.”
With its ambitious programming and city-wide collaboration, Manchester Classical continues to affirm the city’s place at the heart of Europe’s classical music landscape.
Manchester Classical takes place from 27 to 29 June 2025.
To discover more about the festival, visit: mcrclassical.org
