BRITAIN’S first fully professional symphony orchestra known as The Halle Orchestra are celebrating their 160th anniversary today.
The Halle Orchestra was founded in Manchester on this day in 1858 by German-born pianist Charles Halle. To celebrate their 160th anniversary, the orchestra held a concert at the Bridgewater Hall on Sunday evening.
#otd 160 years ago, we gave our first ever performance under the baton of our founder Sir Charles Hallé (who also played the piano for this concert!) pic.twitter.com/sceBFErc5d
— Hallé Orchestra (@the_halle) January 30, 2018
The concert sought to remember the life of Charles Halle, playing music by some of his favorite composers including Hector Berlioz.
Archivist Eleanor Roberts said: “We used a side by side performance including the youth orchestra and the Halle.”
The orchestra played some exerts from Berlioz, the Trojans and Bach to mark the 160th anniversary.
“We celebrated it because Sir Charles Halle who founded us, was a friend and great admirer of Berlioz so that seemed quite an appropriate choice.”
Today we’re wishing @the_halle a happy 160th birthday – they performed their first concert at the #FreeTradeHall on 30th January 1858. Congratulations! ???
— Northern Chamber Orchestra (@NCO01) January 30, 2018
Miss Roberts is the archivist of the Halle and looks after the history of the organisation. .
“Working for an organisation that has got that length of heritage and history behind it is a real privilege, it’s something that I am very proud of.
“Our history is very illustrious, we have been the vanguard of different developments in the classical musical world.”
The orchestra celebrates its 160th birthday just 20 years after it was on the brink of a financial collapse.
It is hoped that more young people will engage with the orchestra to keep it alive, and to preserve the legacy of Charles Halle.
Miss Roberts added: “I think it’s a very important part of Manchester’s history and the fact that a musician of the caliber of Charles Halle came up to Manchester in the 19th century in order to form an orchestra, and then of course the conservatoire, that’s something to feel proud of.”
The orchestra feel that its important to celebrate the anniversary.
“It’s always worth remembering where you’ve come from, we’re very proud of where we are today”
Over 70 concerts a year are held in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, with a further 40 taking place around the UK.
For the full interview with Miss Roberts listen below
For more information on the orchestra visit their website here
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