previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
Storytime with Sir Michael Morpurgo and Josie d’Arby
Preview by Steve Cooke
A great opportunity to introduce youngsters to classical music and a treat for seasoned concert goers coming up at the Stoller Hall with Manchester Camerata.
Fearing two much loved iconic works: Saint-Saëns, Carnival of the Animals and Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.
The illustrious author, Sir Michael Morpurgo, will be joined by award-winning television presenter Josie D’Arby to bring these incredible pieces to life.
‘A truly ROARSOME concert for the whole family.
Our matinee for young concertgoers experiencing classical music for the first time, to seasoned goers who are young at heart.'
This promises to be a wild and colourful celebration of the animal kingdom – dressing up is encouraged!
This concert will have a BSL interpreter.
Programme
Saint-Saëns Carnival of the Animals
Prokofiev Peter and the Wolf
Performed by
Narrator Sir Michael Morpurgo
Narrator Josie d’Arby
Music Director Caroline Pether
Stage Director Dermot Daly
British Sign Language Interpreter Lorna Moran
Manchester Camerata
Tickets £12.50 under 16 or £25 + Booking fee.
Best seats in the house are available at £10 for under 30s (limited availability), £3 for Gorton Residents + Booking fee.
Sat 8 June 2024, 2:30pm,
The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA
Phone: 0333 130 0967
Directly opposite Manchester Victoria Station, within easy reach of all main train, bus, tram and road links.
TLC AT ST MARY IN THE BAUM WITH ISABELLE WILLIAMSON CELLO AND JONATHAN ELLIS PIANO
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
Following the Easter break, the Toad Lane Concerts resumed with a highly qualified and experienced duo (both first class honours and postgraduates of the RNCM and Manchester University) in an inspiring and exquisite recital.
Freelance cellist Isabel Williamson works additionally as a teacher, session musician, creative artist and collaborator. She is also part of the indie band ‘Bonfire Tide’ and tours internationally with the folk-rock band ‘The Wishing Well’.
She was partnered today by pianist Jonathan Ellis who works extensively around the NW as soloist, accompanist, repetiteur, and chamber musician.
Their programme began with Beethoven’s Sonata in G minor Op. 5/2, which features the cello for the first time as an instrument in its own right (as opposed to doubling the bass or accompanying the piano). The two players were undoubtedly equally outstanding soloists who perform together superbly. This was elegant and stylish playing of a significant masterpiece.
Elegie in C minor by Fauré (later orchestrated by the composer) was also beautifully performed. The work’s solemn opening reaches a powerful, turbulent middle section before returning to the poignant elegy theme.
Schumann’s 3 Fantasiestücke Op. 73 were originally intended for clarinet and piano. However, the composer himself indicated that the clarinet part could also be played by violin or cello. Isabel’s glorious tone in the acoustic at St Mary’s, fully justified this.
The audience were completely captivated by this exceptional musicmaking. An encore was clearly called for and Mendelssohn’s Song without Words for cello and piano was a welcome choice. (Isabel’s recording is available on YouTube!)
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
KELLY JONES AT AVIVA STUDIOS
Preview by Steve Cooke
Following the announcement of his new solo album, Kelly Jones performs a series of intimate shows in the Aviva Studios Hall.
The shows coincide with the release of his new studio album Inevitable Incredible, out on Stylus Records through Ignition Records Ltd on 3 May.
The singer-songwriter will perform the new record in its entirety, with two performances per evening – offering fans their first chance to experience the album live following its release.
Title track Inevitable Incredible marks a bold stylistic shift for Jones, long established as one of the UK’s most prolific singers and songwriters. Over the last 25 years, his band Stereophonics have been a mainstay on radio and arena stages, writing anthems that are etched into the public consciousness.
With Inevitable Incredible, Jones shows his continued evolution as an artist, adapting his song writing talents to broaden his body of work. Experience the album live in its entirety in the incredible acoustics of the Hall.
17 - 18 MAY 2024
AVIVA STUDIOS – THE HALL
£55.00 and £42.50
14+ Under 18's must be accompanied by an adult 18+
Running time: 1 Hour 5 Minutes
Accessibility features available for this event: Wheelchair Access
RECOMMENDED
Saturday 27 April 2024
One Night In Dublin
The ultimate feel-good Irish music tribute show!
Receiving rave reviews for its incredible musicians and great song choices, Middi and his award-winning tribute band cover all of your favourite sing-along Irish classics including 'Galway Girl', 'Tell Me Ma', 'The Irish Rover', 'Dirty Old Town', 'Whiskey in the Jar', 'The Wild Rover', 'Black Velvet Band' and many many more.
Performed by "The best Irish band to never come from Ireland", the Wild Murphys are a seven-piece band with Fiddle, Banjo and Accordion. Let them take you to 'Murphy's Pub' for two hours of music, songs and humour.
With songs by the Pogues, the Saw Doctors, the Dubliners, the Fureys, Flogging Molly, The Dropkick Murphys and more, One night in Dublin is a must see for anyone who loves Irish music. It's like St. Patricks day every night!
Tickets from £23.50Phone: Middleton Arena 0300 303 8633
7.30pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way Middleton M24 1AG
Saturday 27 April 2024
Together in Concert
Together in Concert with Boro Brass and The Good Vibes Choir
£6 for adults and £4 for 12 and under plus booking fee
Phone: Sue Hampshire 07791124726
13.00
St Mary in the Baum, St Mary’s Gate, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ
Monday 29 April 2024
Singing in the Shower Group
Singing in the Shower Group is for those that think they can't sing, but just want to sing out loud and proud with no judgement whilst having lots of fun.
Guarantee of a good time, a laugh and a giggle.
Everyone is welcome. if you don't want to sing, you can just clap along.
Light refreshments are available.
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
£2 per person (suggested donation)
Phone: Leonie 07513 694862
6pm - 7pm
Brimrod Church Community Hall, Roch Valley Way, Rochdale OL11 4PZ
Tuesday 30 April 2024
Rochdale & District Camera Club
Tonight is 2nd POTY.
We meet every Tuesday at 8pm at Syke Methodist Church Hall.
You are more than welcome to come down to one of our club nights to see if you would enjoy joining the club.
Visit the link below for the 2024 syllabus.
Phone: Pete Williams 07967 969136
8pm
Syke Methodist Church Hall, Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF
Wednesday 01 May 2024
Whitworth Historical Society
This month our guest speaker is Peter Leonard. He will be talking about “Blood Bikes”
On his last visit to WHS Peter talked about his work with Rossendale Mountain Rescue. This time, he will talk about his involvement with the Association of Blood BIkes. These are motorcycles which have been specially modified for use as courier vehicles for the urgent and emergency transportation of blood, human tissue, surgical tools and other
fluids of the body such as spinal fluid. Peter hopes to bring one of the specialist motorcycles with him on the day.
Please note - Please check the venue for this meeting before you attend using the website link below or by contacting the Secretary. Some meetings will be held in the Hallfold URC schoolroom as it has a far greater capacity than the museum.
Whitworth Historical Society have a programme of monthly lectures, which are usually held on the first Wednesday in every month, between the months of October and June, at 7.30pm.
Free but donations welcome
Phone: Secretary 07816 911 556
7.30pm start
Whitworth Heritage Museum, North Street, Whitworth OL12 8RA
Wednesday 01 May 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - club meeting.
We meet every Wednesday at Rochdale Unitarian Church, starting at 7.30pm prompt (doors open from 7.15pm). The door is kept locked so please ring the bell on arrival.
If you would like to see the club for yourself and meet our members, you are welcome to attend as our guest for up to 3 weeks before committing to membership. Annual subscription is £36 for single or £46 for joint membership.
A weekly room fee of £2.50 is also payable on arrival at the meeting. Refreshments are 50p.
£2.50 for room fee
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Wednesday 01 May 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have John Nancarro bass and David Hammond piano (York University).
The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020… during the pandemic!
Running every Wednesday, Music at Lunchtime is a weekly live classical music concert series that has been going since the 1960s. The sessions were initially run at the old Rochdale Art Gallery by the local authority, but since May 2001 have been run by volunteer-enthusiasts and artistic director, Dr Joe Dawson.
£6
Phone: Dr Joe Dawson 01706 648872
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
Comments