Leonard Bernstein’s Mass at the Bridgewater Hall

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor
Image courtesy of RNCM

Leonard Bernstein’s Mass at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre 12 March 2023 Tickets from £9.00 — Book now

Leonard Bernstein is largely thought of as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th Century. Not only for his prolific conducting and composing career but for his drive to help educate new generations of musicians and encourage them to achieve greatness. It feels fitting then, that the RNCM, an institution also set out to facilitate the growth of a new generation of musicians, is bringing Leonard Bernstein’s Mass to Manchester’s most impressive concert hall, The Bridgewater Hall.

The Mass itself is quite a world away from its Western Catholic church music roots. Bernstein takes the religious form with a modern theatrical twist and reimagines it with vibrant orchestrations; memorable tunes and rhythm that will have you dancing in your seat to music sung in Latin. You can hear the influence of musical theatre and jazz in his vocal writing – but Bernstein’s delicate orchestration and ability to captivate your imagination with a simple chord progression is never to be underestimated.

The Mass was originally commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy for the inauguration of the John F Kennedy Centre in 1971. Its creation led to the FBI keeping a file on Bernstein as they were worried he was hiding leftist anti-war views in the subtext and Latin language movements of the piece.

Manchester isn’t short of highly trained and capable young musicians

The piece requires massive orchestral forces. In the original production, the orchestra occupied the pit as they were joined onstage by a marching band, rock band and chorus. Luckily, between the RNCM and Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester isn’t short of highly trained and capable young musicians, eager to take on a piece of this scale.

In some moments it is shockingly beautiful, in others, it feels more like a street carnival than anything related to the worship of a deity. However, you can guarantee that at no point in this fast-paced, eclectic piece will you be bored. Bernstein’s Mass is music for those who enjoy the thrill of asking big societal questions and relish the process of doing so.

For more of our highlight’s from RNCM’s spring season head here.

Leonard Bernstein’s Mass at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre 12 March 2023 Tickets from £9.00 Book now

Performances

Date
Time
Session Features
12 March 2023
4:00pm — 9:00pm

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

What's on at The Bridgewater Hall

Where to go near Leonard Bernstein’s Mass at the Bridgewater Hall

Manchester
Restaurant
Midland Tea Room

Dating back to 1903, Manchester’s stately Midland Hotel now has its own dedicated tea room. Expect traditional offerings in elegant surroundings.

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Hotel
The Midland Hotel

With 312 luxurious bedrooms, the Grade II-listed Midland Hotel occupies one of the most beautiful and storied buildings in Manchester.

Society Manchester
City Centre
Society Manchester

Society Manchester is a glorious indoor and outdoor space in the very heart of the city, with five street food vendors to choose from and a range of high-quality drinks.

Manchester
Restaurant
Friska

Latest branch of Friska, the independent healthy fast food chain.

Manchester
Restaurant
Don Giovanni

Traditional Italian restaurant, serving everything from pizza to steak. All this in a large modern venue with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Haunt MCR
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Haunt MCR

Haunt MCR is a speciality coffee shop and wine bar located on Manchester’s bustling Peter Street.

Manchester
Restaurant
Jaan

Serving up exceptional Persian cuisine, this new food concept from the team behind Another Hand is a must-try.

City Centre
Restaurant
ONDA Pasta Bar

ONDA is a treat for the tastebuds. Long dark wood tables are shared by eager diners, as tapas-style plates of fresh pasta and other Italian dishes are ferried around the restaurant.

Manchester
Restaurant
Exhibition

Exhibition is an elegant dining hall on Peter Street, home to Jaan and other high-level independent kitchens.

City Centre
Restaurant
Nudo Sushi Box

Nudo Sushi Box on Manchester’s Oxford Road specialises in freshly-prepared boxes of – you guessed it – sushi.

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