CityLife

MIF: Elbow and Halle to form a winning combination

The mighty Elbow

ELBOW and the Halle Orchestra is such a dream combination that you wonder why no one convinced them to join forces sooner.

Luckily for us, those wonderful people at the Manchester International Festival have contrived to get these two local heroes to perform together, thereby setting up what looks set to be one of the undisputed highlights of this year’s programme.

Conducted, orchestrated and curated by composer Joe Duddell - a rising talent on the classical music scene who also holds the post of Reader in Music at Salford University - these concerts at the Hallé’s home, the Bridgewater Hall, on July 8 and 9 will be a celebration of a fantastic year for one of Manchester’s best-loved bands, taking in songs from their back catalogue and beyond.

Acclaim

Elbow’s fourth album, The Seldom Seen Kid, released in March 2008, earned them massive critical acclaim and saw them winning the 2008 Mercury Prize, cementing their place in the hearts of many as true Mancunian local heroes.

These specially-programmed evenings will feature tracks from this award-winning album, alongside a selection of older favourites performed by the band and the Hallé, some surprise covers and even a few stars turns from some "Manchester heroes".

The Hallé, formed in 1858, is Britain's longest established professional symphony orchestra.

Excellence

Under the direction of Sir Mark Elder since 2000, the orchestra has continued a long tradition of excellence, producing numerous world premieres and picking up a Southbank Show award in 2007.  

‘I’ve been going to the Hallé since I was a kid,” said Elbow’s Guy Garvey. “They are the original Manchester band, and this is a dream come true."

Elbow & The Halle Orchestra will be playing at The Bridgewater Hall on Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th July.  Ticket prices will be £15, £25, £35 and £42.50 and can be booked either via www.mif.co.uk   or by calling 0844 815 4960