Classical Music in Manchester and the North

Elizabeth Llewellyn (soprano) & Simon Lepper (piano) at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 11 October 2022, from £9.00 - Book now

Following their award-winning debut album of songs by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, RNCM alumna Elizabeth Llewellyn (soprano) and Simon Lepper (pianist) perform as part of the College’s 50th celebrations this Autumn.

Turn It Up: The Power of Music at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 21 October 2022–21 May 2023, from £6.00 - Book now

A world premiere exhibition comes to the Science and Industry Museum. Suitable for children and adults alike, Turn It Up: The Power of Music is an interactive experience exploring the science of music’s mysterious hold over us, and how it drives us to create, perform, feel and share.

Steven Osborne (piano) at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 26 October 2022, from £9.00 - Book now

Described by The Observer as “always a player in absolute service to the composer”, Steven Osborne gives a rare performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Sonata No 1 in D minor alongside before Schubert’s lyrical, occasionally tempestuous Piano Sonata No 20 in A major – plus two more glittering works by Beethoven and Osborne himself.

Elias String Quartet at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 21 November 2022, from £9.00 - Book now

Formed at the RNCM in 1998, Elias String Quartet are one of the leading quartets of their generation, praised for their intense and vibrant performances. They return to the RNCM to perform works by Haydyn, Beamish and Beethoven, following their announcement as Artists in Residence at the College.

RNCM Symphony Orchestra: Mahler Symphony No 10 at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 4 November 2022, from £7.50 - Book now

Out of the height of his compositional prowess and depth of his personal life comes Mahler’s 10th Symphony, which the RNCM Symphony Orchestra will bring to vivid life alongside Steven Stucky’s adaptation of Purcell’s Funeral Music for Queen Mary.

RNCM Opera: Die Fledermaus at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 10–17 December 2022, from £12.50 - Book now

Oozing wit and bursting with the composer’s signature waltzes and polkas, Fie Fledermaus is Viennese operetta at its best, and a great choice from the RNCM Opera, whose performance promises to be a highlight of the College’s Autumn Season.

The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 3WS - Visit now

Home to the Hallé and the BBC Philharmonic orchestras, the Bridgewater Hall attracts some of the biggest names in classical music. Purpose-built to the tune of £42m, the hall was designed around its acoustic needs; it floats on 280 earthquake-proof isolations springs that mute all external noise, perfect for shielding around 250 performances a year from the trams outside.

Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M13 9RD - Visit now

The Royal Northern College of Music is both a music venue and an academic institution training up some of the country’s finest music students.

The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester, M3 1DA - Visit now

Manchester’s new kid on the concert hall block, the Stoller Hall, opened its doors in April 2017 to further enhance the city’s already enviable live music provision.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Hope Street , Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9BP - Visit now

The 1930s Art Deco Philharmonic Hall, home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, gives no hint of the sensuous curves of the auditorium inside from its hard exterior.

Hallé St Peter’s, 40 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 6BF - Visit now

Hallé St Peter’s is a deconsecrated Grade-II listed church, once a theatre prop store, then a knitting factory, before being restored and becoming home to the Hallé orchestra.

Albert Hall, 27 Peter Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 5QR - Visit now

Manchester’s Albert Hall is an astounding Wesleyan Chapel turned live music venue, regularly hosting classical concerts.

Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX - Visit now

Manchester Cathedral dates back to at least the 1400s and has been rebuilt many times. In current, striking form, it’s still a place of worship, but also host to regular gigs and events.