Sat 28.06.25
10am
The Barbirolli Room
Musical Storyland LIVE!
Three Billy Goats Gruff
Daniel Whibley Musical Storyland: Three Billy Goats Gruff
Sean Chandler presenter and trumpeter
Musicians of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
British Sign Language interpreted performance
Duration 40 minutes
Sean Chandler presents a live and interactive performance of Three Billy Goats Gruff from the CBeebies series Musical Storyland with musicians from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
A family of goats eat all the grass in their meadow and must go in search of fresh, green grass. They discover a beautiful new meadow but it's on the other side of a squelchy, muddy stream. Little Billy Goat tries to cross the stream but wakes up a hungry, grumpy troll! Will the brothers make it across the bridge safely?
The performance is aimed at children aged 3 - 7 but all ages will enjoy it!
To guarantee a space at this performance, you can book your free ticket in advance. There will be some seating reserved for walk-up on the day.
10.30am
In the foyer until 3pm
Hallé Connect Family Trails
Come and join in the fun for free in the Bridgewater Hall foyer. Colour in characters from Musical Storyland and Stage and Screen, search for our weekend performers in the wordsearch, and test your musical knowledge in a game of musical dominoes. Whilst you’re here, why not follow Rolli’s treasure trail, and find out some of the secrets of the building?
10.45am
In the Circle foyer until 12.30pm
Bridgewater Hall Orchestra Instrumental Petting Zoo
10.45am
Outdoor stage
Bury Junior and Intermediate Youth Choirs
Bury Junior and Intermediate Youth Choirs are delighted to be performing as part of the Manchester Classical Festival at the Bridgewater Hall. These young singers will be singing a wide range of repertoire, their favourites always including some dance moves! They rehearse Saturday mornings and are always happy to welcome new members.
Duration 1.5 hours
11am
Main Stage
Hallé Children’s Choir:
Stage and Screen
British Sign Language interpreted performance
Duration 30 minutes
The Hallé Children’s Choir always steals the show with its exceptional performances and polished presentation.
In this performance, the choir will perform a selection of songs from Lin Marsh’s songscape, Stage and Screen, including songs from Beauty and the Beast, Singing in the Rain and Come Follow the Band, led by its inspirational Director, Shirley Court.
Listening to the choir and watching the young people perform is food for the soul, so don’t miss your chance to see these exceptional singers shine on The Bridgewater Hall stage!
You can attend this performance with a festival pass or a ticket for this performance.
12.30pm
The Barbirolli Room
Hallé Youth Training Choir
Arr. Robert I. Hugh The Cuckoo
Matt Roughley ‘Ej lasko, lasko’
Kirby Shaw Take Me to the River
Sally K Albrecht 3 Shakespeare Settings
Duration 60 minutes
Hallé Youth Training Choir is made up of young singers aged 13-15. In this uplifting event, they will perform a delightful selection of folk, traditional and spiritual songs.
To guarantee a space at this performance, you can book your free ticket in advance. There will be some seating reserved for walk-up on the day.
12.45pm
Outdoor stage
The Olias Saxophone Quartet
Duration 45 minutes
The Olias Saxophone Quartet met at the RNCM in September 2021 and have participated in many exciting concerts, including at Wigmore Hall, the Bridgewater Hall and for various RNCM events. The quartet thoroughly enjoy collaborating and fusing their different musical tastes, backgrounds, influences and enjoyments and they share a passion for all types of saxophone quartet repertoire and music, most of which many audiences rarely get the chance to experience. The Olias Saxophone Quartet appears by kind permission of the RNCM.
1.30pm
In the Circle foyer until 2pm
Bridgewater Hall Orchestra Instrumental Petting Zoo
2pm
Main Stage
RNCM Symphony Orchestra: Mahler 2 ‘Resurrection’
Gustav Mahler Symphony No 2 ‘Resurrection’
Antony Hermus conductor
Ellie Forrester soprano
Yvonne Howard mezzo-soprano
RNCM Symphony Chorus
RNCM Symphony Orchestra
Duration 90 minutes
Antony Hermus returns to conduct RNCM students in a performance of one of Mahler’s most profound works – an awe-inspiring journey from darkness to light. Mahler is alone in his ability to convey emotions at their most extreme, from anguish and turmoil to rapturous joy. He poured his deepest fears and hopes into this symphony and was a composer tormented by existential questions.
Beginning with a funeral march, his Resurrection Symphony wrestles with doubt, loss, and the search for meaning beyond life itself. But, as it unfolds, it builds towards something astonishing – an overwhelming vision of redemption and renewal. Tension gives way to transcendence, as chaos and catharsis surge forward, culminating in a final, breathtaking revelation.
Expect moments of fury and tenderness, haunting solitude, and triumphant grandeur, before the earth-shattering final movement: a colossal choral eruption of hope and resurrection.
This is music that demands to be felt, that speaks to the soul, and that leaves an indelible impression on all who listen.
You can attend this performance with a festival pass or a ticket for this performance.
2pm
Outdoor stage
2pm - East & North Music Centre Samba Band
2.15pm - Irish Music Centre Senior Folk Band
Stalls bar stage
2.30pm - South Music Centre Guitar Ensemble
2.45pm - Manchester Youth String Orchestra
One Education
One Education Music service is delivered by instructors and professional musicians who bring their experiences working across hundreds of City of Manchester schools and trusts of all sizes and levels of engagement. In partnership with Arts Council England, One Education Music also runs six music centres across Manchester. With a large variety of bands, ensembles and creative workshops to take part in, we ensure every child is given the support they need to grow and achieve their musical potential. Located across the City of Manchester, our Music Centres give children and young people the chance to explore their creative potential after school, make friends and share the joys of music together all whilst cultivating new musical skills. Our diverse and inclusive range of activities support coherent learning journeys for children and young people to engage with. Children can access a wide variety of instruments and have the opportunity to join different ensembles. We also provide numerous performance and concert opportunities for the young people that attend.
3pm
Outdoor stage
Hafren Duo
Duration 45 minutes
Hafren are a folk-inspired string duo comprised of Mabon Jones (violin) and Daniel Springate (cello). Named after the river that divides their two homelands, Hafren perform an eclectic mix of music fuelled by their wide-ranging musical influences and inspirations. Expect some folky classical music alongside contemporary works and their own compositions. Hafren are here at Manchester Classical representing Manchester based charity Olympias Music Foundation, for whom Dan teaches the cello.
3.45pm
The Barbirolli Room
Bharatiya Vrund Gaan
The Indian Choir of England:
Swaranjali
Dr. Rakesh Joshi director and conductor
Duration 60 minutes
Bharatiya Vrund Gaan (BVG), will be performing traditional Indian choral compositions includes Vedic hymns, folk songs, raga-based tarana, songs of the nature
To guarantee a space at this performance, you can book your free ticket in advance. There will be some seating reserved for walk-up on the day.
4.30pm
Outdoor stage
The Julian Gregory Trio
with vocalist Sarah Greene “From Jazz To Gypsy”
Duration 45 minutes
Four members of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra show another side to their musical prowess: Aside from his orchestral work, violinist Julian Gregory is well known on the Northwest jazz circuit. His regular accompanists are accordionist Matthew Compton, usually to be found in the viola section, and guitarist Pete Willmott, a veteran of the double bass section. The latest addition to the group is Chicago born vocalist Sarah Greene, also a member of the viola section. Sarah features songs from the Great American Songbook as well as Latin American favourites.
5pm
Main Stage
Riot Ensemble:
Coral Formations
Riot Ensemble is an internationally renowned group of musicians dedicated to the creation, exploration and presentation of great contemporary works and new music.
In this show, Alex Paxton’s Shrimp BIT Babyface piles layer upon layer of colour and ornamentation, like encrusted coral formations, into a contrasting, surrealist excess of joy. Following this, descend to the Great Barrier Reef with Kristine Tjøgersen’s Seafloor Dawn Chorus.
Alex Paxton Shrimp BIT Babyface (UK premiere)
Kristine Tjøgersen Seafloor Dawn Chorus (UK premiere)
Aaron Holloway-Nahum conductor
Duration 45 minutes
You can attend this performance with a festival pass or a ticket for this performance.
supported by
within generous support from the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation
5.45pm
Stalls bar stage
Evening Ragas & Summer Sounds
with Dr. Rakesh Joshi (piano) & Alok Verma (tabla)
Dr. Rakesh Joshi, piano
Alok Verma tabla
Duration 60 minutes
Experience a unique blend of Indian classical and contemporary music in this captivating talk and performance. Pianist, composer and vocalist Dr. Rakesh Joshi is joined by renowned tabla player Alok Verma for a soulful journey through evening ragas, folk melodies, and seasonal tunes.
7pm
The Barbirolli Room
Hallé Ancoats Community Choir
Stuart Overington director
Matthew Roughley director
Duration 40 minutes
The Hallé Ancoats Community Choir perform uplifting music, from traditional songs to folk tunes, gospel pieces and original compositions. Directed by Stuart Overington and Matthew Roughley, the choir is now in its 10th year and regularly performs around Manchester, spreading the joy of community music!
To guarantee a space at this performance, you can book your free ticket in advance. There will be some seating reserved for walk-up on the day.
8pm
Main Stage
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra:
Gershwin, Bernstein and Strauss
Strauss Death and Transfiguration
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Anja Bihlmaier conductor
Hayato Sumino piano
Duration 60 minutes
Music for beginnings and endings. It’s hard to find a more famous, or iconically flamboyant first few seconds than the clarinet solo at the start of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. ‘Metropolitan madness’ and a ‘musical kaleidoscope of America’ is how Gershwin described this musical montage of the jazz age.
From the Roaring Twenties to the streets of 1950s New York, Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story launches headlong into the high drama and searing rhythmic energy of one of the greatest musicals of all time. To open, Richard Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration captures the final moments of a life – the ticking clock in a dark room, existential struggle, a flood of memories before finally, transcendence.
You can attend this performance with a festival pass or a ticket for this performance.