Image courtesy of Chetham's

The Stoller Hall Autumn/Winter season

Chris Horkan, Music Editor

Hidden off the Cathedral Quarter of Manchester’s city centre – flanked by Victoria Station and Manchester Cathedral – The Stoller Hall has been establishing itself as one of Manchester’s highest-quality concert halls since opening in spring 2017.

Past seasons have included appearances by the likes of The Unthanks, Joan as Police Woman and Jesca Hoop, as well as jazz legend Iain Ballamy – as well as a constant and consistent series of classical performances.

Looking ahead to the 2018/19 Autumn/Winter season, highlights from the venue’s programme include the world premiere of Carpe Vitam – a new audiovisual work marking 100 years of votes for women – plus a one-off performance of Neil Brand’s dark and atmospheric adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

In early 2019, the world-renowned Gould Trio pays The Stoller Hall a visit too, accompanied by clarinettist Robert Plane, while Chetham’s School of Music celebrates its golden jubilee with Striking Gold – a whole year of concerts by outstanding pianists.

The Autumn/Winter season itself kicks off over the other side of the city at The Bridgewater Hall, meanwhile, with Holst’s masterpiece The Planets providing an apt and energetic way for Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra to celebrate.

Here are our picks

  • 1. Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra: The Planets at The Bridgewater Hall

    Image courtesy of Chetham's

    Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra: The Planets at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre, 6 July 2018, from £20 - Book now

    Relocating to the Bridgewater Hall for this season-opening concert, Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra tackles Holst’s crowd-pleasing imagining of the sounds of the universe. The programme also includes Elgar’s The Music Makers – a fitting ode to the importance of art in society – featuring the school’s combined choruses.

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  • 2. Carpe Vitam world premiere at The Stoller Hall

    Carpe Vitam world premiere at The Stoller Hall, 15 November 2018, from £14.17 - Book now

    This new audiovisual work marks 100 years of votes for women with live video, electronic and acoustic music and Chetham’s Chamber Choir. The concert also features a discussion of the making of Carpe Vitam, plus The Pankhurst Anthem – based on words by Emmeline Pankhurst – and other vocal works, performed by the choir.

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  • 3. A Christmas Carol at The Stoller Hall

    A Christmas Carol at The Stoller Hall, 15 December 2018, from £26.16 - Book now

    Neil Brand’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ festive classic gives it a dark and atmospheric twist – helped along by Chester Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester Chamber Choir and actors from Manchester School of Theatre. The leading role of Ebenezer Scrooge is played by Timothy West for this one-off staging.

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  • 4. Gould Piano Trio & Robert Plane at The Stoller Hall

    Gould Piano Trio & Robert Plane at The Stoller Hall, 22 January 2019, from £17.44 - Book now

    One of the country’s most acclaimed and recognised trios performs Shostakovich’s Second Piano Trio and Sally Beamish’s Piobaireachd for this visit to The Stoller Hall. The group will also be joined by regular collaborator, clarinettist Robert Plane, for the North West premiere of a new work by Huw Watkins – with the programme completed by Plane’s performance of Boulez’s Dialogue de l’ombre double – accompanied by taped electronics.

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  • 5. Striking Gold Piano Series at The Stoller Hall

    Striking Gold Piano Series at The Stoller Hall, 30 January–31 December 2019, from £19.62 - Book now

    This year-long celebration of outstanding pianists marks Chetham’s School of Music’s golden jubilee year. With almost all of the performers having previously studied at the school – and the likes of Paul Lewis, Boris Berman and Murray McLachlan already announced – it promises to be a comprehensive celebration.

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