Victoria String Quartet Livestream at The Stoller Hall

Johnny James, Managing Editor

Book now

Victoria String Quartet Livestream

The Stoller Hall, Manchester
16 April 2021

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

Book now

Beaming live from The Stoller Hall on 16th April, the Victoria String Quartet will perform an emotion-filled programme of Mozart, Beethoven and Puccini.

The Victoria String Quartet made its debut at, and took its name from, the historic Victoria Baths in Manchester, renowned for its magnificent stained glass and mosaics. The members of the Quartet – Benedict Holland (violin), David Greed (violin), Kim Becker (viola), Jennifer Langridge (cello) – share a wealth of experience in chamber music between them: Sorrel quartet, Psappha Ensemble, Music Group of Manchester, Nossek Quartet and Kirkman Quartet to name but a few.

Much in demand, the Victoria String Quartet have performed at venues and festivals across the UK, with a recent highlight being the Buxton International Festival. Closer to home, they’ve performed at The Bridgewater Hall and also The Stoller Hall, where they make their live return tonight.

The Quartet will kick off the concert with Mozart’s String Quartet No. 21 in D Major. The work is the first of the Prussian Quartets (the composer’s final string quartets) which, originally written for King Friedrich Wilhelm II, were later sold to a publisher “for a mockery of a fee, only to lay my hands on some money to keep myself going.”

The King’s instrument was the cello, and so Mozart pushes this instrument to the fore in many places, balanced by soloistic opportunities for other instruments – a style called quatuor concertant which was particularly popular in Paris. This delicate and elegant work abounds with lovely arching melodies underpinned by typically effortless contrapuntal writing.

Next in the programme is Puccini’s Crisantemi, which takes the striking chrysanthemum flower as its inspiration. Puccini is, of course, best known for his operas, however he did write some instrumental gems – among them four string quartets, three minuets and this work, which is an elegy to his friend Prince Amedeo of Savoy, who formerly reigned as King of Spain.

Puccini’s mastery of string writing is abundantly evident in this short work, which conjures a concentrated dark mood as the four instruments pay tribute to Puccini’s friend. Puccini clearly thought much of the two main melodies used in Crisantemi, as he reused them in the last act of his opera Manon Lescaut three years later in 1893.

Finally, we’ll hear Beethoven’s Quartet in F minor, Op. 95, commonly referred to as the ‘Serioso’. One of the shortest and most compact of all Beethoven quartets, it nevertheless contains a huge variety of material and ranges wildly in character. Its mysterious, elegiac opening soon gives way to an Allegretto filled with disturbing and prodigious modulations. A fierce scherzo then breaks in abruptly, before a fleet-footed finale, brimming with irrepressible life.

To hear the Victoria Quartet performing this great programme on 16th April, head over to The Stoller Hall’s website, where advance tickets can be purchased for £10 (individual) and £15 (family).

Where to go near Victoria String Quartet Livestream 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
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.

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.

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.

The National Football Museum Manchester
Manchester
Museum
National Football Museum

The National Football Museum is now open to the public, ready to show off its impressive array of football-related exhibits and activities.

What's on: Music

Music
MusicStockport
That Night In Manchester

Join the electrifying musical ‘That Night in Manchester’. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Manchester indie scene. Step into the Madchester time machine as you hear a father recount the highs and lows of his life to his only son during the Madchester era spanning his life through the 70’s 80’s & 90’s as you experience the music performed live on stage.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

Cloudwater Production One
Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Harry Baker
Literature Events in the North

From environmental to experimental, our poetry and prose picks from around the North are focused on the unusual and the fun.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Helena Hauff
Music in the North

Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.