The Hallé facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hallé Orchestra |
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| Orchestra | |
Antony Inglis rehearsing with the Hallé and the Leeds Festival Chorus
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| Founded | 1858 |
| Location | Manchester, England |
| Concert hall | Bridgewater Hall |
| Principal conductor | Sir Mark Elder |
The Hallé is a famous English symphony orchestra (a large group of musicians who play classical music together). It is based in Manchester, England. Since 1996, the orchestra has performed most of its concerts at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
Contents
The Hallé Orchestra's Story
In May 1857, a talented pianist and conductor named Charles Hallé created an orchestra. They played at the Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition. After the exhibition, Hallé decided to keep the orchestra going as a proper group. Their first official concert was on 30 January 1858.
The orchestra's first home was the Free Trade Hall. By 1861, the orchestra faced money problems and only played two concerts that year. From 1899 to 1911, Hans Richter was the music director. During his time, the orchestra performed the very first show of Sir Edward Elgar's Symphony No. 1.
In 1943, the orchestra was in trouble again, with only 30 musicians left. But for the next 27 years, from 1943 to 1970, their new music director, Sir John Barbirolli, helped the Hallé become famous across the country again. They performed all over the UK and visited many other countries. They also made many recordings, including the first recording of Ralph Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 8.
Kent Nagano was the main conductor from 1992 to 1999. In 1996, the orchestra moved from the Free Trade Hall to the Bridgewater Hall. This became their main concert venue. The orchestra faced big money problems in the late 1990s. They even had a large debt in 1998, which put the orchestra's future at risk.
To help fix these problems, the orchestra started asking the public for donations. They raised a lot of money. They also made changes to how the orchestra was run, including reducing the number of musicians from 98 to 80.
In 1999, John Summers became the orchestra's chief executive. He continued to improve the orchestra's financial situation. In 2001, the Arts Council gave the orchestra a large grant. This helped them pay off debts and increase musician salaries, which had been frozen for four years.
In September 2000, Sir Mark Elder became the music director. His concerts have received great reviews, and he is known for bringing the orchestra back to a very high musical standard. He extended his contract several times, planning to stay until at least 2020. The orchestra also started releasing new CD recordings under its own label.
In 2006, the orchestra had to cancel a tour of the United States. This was because of the high cost and difficulty in getting visas for the musicians.
The Hallé appointed its first-ever principal guest conductor, Cristian Mandeal, in 2006. He served until 2009. Later, Markus Stenz became the principal guest conductor in 2009. The Hallé has also had several assistant conductors, including Ewa Strusińska, who was the first female conductor to hold such a position in the UK.
John Summers retired as chief executive in 2020. David Butcher took over this role. In February 2023, Sir Mark Elder announced he would step down as music director at the end of the 2023-2024 season. He will then become a conductor emeritus, which is like an honorary conductor.
In June 2023, The Hallé announced that Kahchun Wong would be their next principal conductor and artistic advisor. He will start in the 2024-2025 season.
Important First Performances
The Hallé Orchestra has performed the first public shows of many important pieces of music. Some of these include:
- Edward Elgar's Symphony No. 1 (1908)
- Ralph Vaughan Williams' Sinfonia antartica (1953)
- Gerald Finzi's Cello Concerto (1955)
- Colin Matthews' "Pluto," an addition to Holst's The Planets (2000)
Hallé Music Groups
Besides the main Hallé Orchestra, the Hallé Concerts Society also supports several other music groups.
Hallé Choir
The Hallé Choir was started in 1858, at the same time as the orchestra. The choir performs about ten concerts each year with the Hallé. The current Hallé Choir Director is Matthew Hamilton.
Hallé Youth Orchestra
The Hallé Youth Orchestra was created in 2002. Young musicians in this orchestra often work with members of the main Hallé Orchestra. Each summer, they go on a tour.
Hallé Youth Choir
The Hallé Youth Choir was founded in 2003. It is for singers aged 13 to 19 years old.
Hallé Children's Choir
The Hallé Children's Choir is for young singers aged 8 to 12. It helps them learn to sing at a high level.
Main Conductors of the Hallé
Here is a list of the main conductors who have led the Hallé Orchestra:
- Sir Charles Hallé (1858–1895)
- Sir Frederic Cowen (1896–1899)
- Hans Richter (1899–1911)
- Michael Balling (1912–1914)
- Sir Thomas Beecham (musical adviser, 1914–1920; conductor, 1933–1939)
- Sir Hamilton Harty (1920–1933)
- Sir Malcolm Sargent (conductor-in-chief, 1933–1942)
- Sir John Barbirolli (1943–1970)
- James Loughran (1971–1983)
- Stanisław Skrowaczewski (1982–1992)
- Kent Nagano (1992–1999)
- Sir Mark Elder (2000–present)
Where the Hallé Performs
The Hallé performs about 70 concerts each year at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall. This hall opened in 1996.
Hallé St Peter's is a beautiful old church in Ancoats that has been changed for the orchestra to use. It is now a place for rehearsals, recordings, and smaller performances. It also serves as a base for the choirs and Youth Orchestra. It opened in 2013.
Hallé at St Michael's is another converted church. It is used for artistic and educational activities, as well as community events.
See also
In Spanish: Orquesta Hallé de Mánchester para niños
