Bridgewater Hall: 30th anniversary concert and Hallé performance

One of Manchester's best-known cultural venues, Bridgewater Hall, is marking its 30th anniversary with a season of special concerts.

The first will take place later and aim to blend sounds from the city's rich and diverse musical history with performances from Rowetta, Matt Wilde and the Greater Manchester Youth Orchestra.

The Hallé Orchestra, based at Bridgewater Hall for its entire history, will pay homage to its 1996 opening night concert with a commemorative performance on Thursday.

Bridgewater Hall's CEO Andrew Bolt said the concerts would reflect the "evolving landscape" of Manchester's musical history, tying together its classical heritage with more contemporary performances.

A new episode of the BBC Sounds series Hidden Manchester explores how the venue represents the city's history with classical music.

Bolt explained that the Hallé had played a particularly important role in the hall's origin.

"When it was decided that a new home (for the Hallé) was something important to put together, the building was constructed as part of an urban redevelopment project," he said.

"We're delighted to have such a close relationship. We look forward to another 30 years!"

Musicologist Stacy Jarvis has studied Manchester's musical history.

She said artists had been travelling to the city to perform since as early as the 1820s.

"It was like Oasis today - they had to perform here," explained Jarvis.

"Every band that we know today has to perform in Manchester. It was a must."

She said Manchester's music was just as important to its history as its famous industrial past.

"Manchester's extraordinary industrial growth created the wealth and population that helped its musical culture flourish," she said.

"Manchester was deciding what kind of cultural city it wanted to be.

"Bridgewater Hall became a part of that identity."

Bolt described the hall as "one of the most important" classical music venues in the country.

"It has really embedded itself into the cultural landscape of Manchester itself," he added. "It's so loved, and it's recognised as such a fabulous place to perform or come and see a performance."

"We're looking to continue that legacy - and grow it. It's all about relevance, both in the classical and contemporary musical spheres."

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