A Total Embrace: The Anniversaries of Leonard Bernstein at The Stoller Hall

Chris Horkan

Book now

A Total Embrace: The Anniversaries of Leonard Bernstein

The Stoller Hall, Manchester
16 April 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Chetham's
Book now

To mark his centenary in 2018, Leonard Bernstein’s youngest daughter Nina Bernstein Simmons explores the question of ‘what makes music dance?’ for this unusual event.

The first half is made up of the complete collection of ‘Anniversaries’ – 27 miniatures written in tribute to figures in Bernstein’s life, including his contemporaries Stephen Sondheim and Aaron Copland. These short pieces will be performed by Chetham’s pianists.

After the interval, Nina introduces a rare screening of the intimate and revelatory film A Total Embrace, paying tribute to Bernstein’s life and music. Between 2000 and 2005, she worked on the film, documenting her sister Jamie’s journeys around the world to bring Bernstein’s music and teaching legacy to new audiences.

This event is preceded 14 April by The Bernstein Beat (2pm, £3 – more info) – featuring joyous melodies and exuberant rhythms, written by Leonard Bernstein, performed by an orchestra of young musicians from the Greater Manchester Music Hub, and introduced by Nina Bernstein Simmons.

Where to go near A Total Embrace: The Anniversaries of Leonard Bernstein at The Stoller Hall

Virgin Red Room
Manchester
Virgin Red Room

The Virgin Red Room is a new private members space located at Manchester’s AO Arena, with VIP access to some of the city’s biggest gigs.

Manchester
Restaurant
Chish & Fips

A special kind of Japanese-inspired fish and chip shop, from the team behind the incredible (and sadly-missed) Umezushi restaurant.

Manchester
Restaurant
Umezushi

This small but perfectly-formed sushi restaurant could well be one of Manchester’s best restaurants. Whatever you do, try the freshwater eel.

Manchester
Restaurant
Kitchen In An Arch

An offshoot from the much-loved Umezushi, this specialist deli is a one-stop-shop for all your sushi making needs, and also hosts occasional workshops to improve your culinary skills.

Chetham’s Library in Long Millgate in Manchester
Manchester
Library
Chetham’s Library

Chetham’s Library is one of the must-sees of any visit to Manchester. The library was founded in 1653, and is the oldest public library in the world – but the building dates back even further, to 1421.

Cathedral Quarter
Place of worship
Manchester Cathedral

A regular venue for gigs and one-off cultural events, Manchester Cathedral is nevertheless a working place of worship – open all year round.

Cathedral Quarter
Restaurant
Mamucium

High-class restaurant next to Victoria Station in Manchester, and attached to Hotel Indigo. Famed for steaks.

Manchester
Event venue
Festa Italiana

The 2022 Festa Italiana was a roaring success, with great food options and captivating live music performances throughout the weekend.

Cathedral Gardens
Cathedral Quarter
Park
Cathedral Gardens

Cathedral Gardens is a partially lawned public space in Manchester city centre, located between Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum.

What's on: Music

Press shot by Ché Deedigan.
MusicManchester
1000 Rabbits at The Abbey

Now Wave’s newly revived Hulme pub opens its doors with an ‘art pop picnic’ from London’s 1000 Rabbits.

From £12.00
Until
MusicCity Centre
The Hallé 2025-26 Season

The Hallé invites audiences to a year of classical masterpieces, world premieres and appearances by some electrifying artists and composers.

From £17
BLACKHAINE
MusicBlackpool
The Black Lights in Blackpool

Day tickets are now on sale for the White Hotel’s Blackpool takeover, placing The Caretaker, Blackhaine and A Guy Called Gerald inside the town’s most iconic spaces.

From £20
Sunn O)))
MusicLeeds
Sunn O))) at Project House

Heavy music stripped to its essence, SUNN O))) arrive in Leeds with doom metal drones, monk robes and overwhelming physical force.

From £35.00

Culture Guides

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

One Leg One Eye
Music

From drone metal to art pop, free festivals to gigs in museums, here's one of our more eclectic music updates.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre

Community, memory, technology and love collide in this month's selection of thought-provoking theatre.

Food and Drink in the North

There’s been lamb, there’s been champagne, there’s been okra. Look at what you could have eaten, then plan the next few weeks accordingly.

Exhibitions

From post-it-sized art to commissions that fill entire gallery walls, five exhibitions ask what the overlooked reveals.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.