Books and music have always shared the same magic: the power to tell stories. Long before film and television, composers were turning novels, plays, poetry and history into music, creating vivid sound worlds that bring characters and narratives to life.
This World Book Day, several upcoming concerts at The Bridgewater Hall reveal just how often great music begins with a great story.
One of the most famous literary inspirations in classical music appears in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra on Friday 13 March. The piece is inspired by the legendary Middle Eastern folk tales One Thousand and One Nights. In the story, Scheherazade tells captivating tales night after night to delay her execution by the Sultan. Rimsky-Korsakov transforms these adventures into a colourful orchestral journey, with the solo violin representing Scheherazade herself – weaving story after story through music.
RNCM Symphony Orchestra’s concert this June features Mel Bonis’ Ophélie, a haunting impressionist work inspired by the tragic demise of Shakespeare’s Ophelia in Hamlet. The programme also includes the Rachmaninov classic Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 ‘Pathétique’, a deeply narrative symphony evoking the drama and mystery surrounding the composer’s final days.
Music can also bring poetry to life. Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony, performed by the Hallé in April, weaves words from Walt Whitman’s celebrated poetry collection Leaves of Grass into a sweeping choral symphony. Vast in scale and ambition, the work transforms Whitman’s reflections on humanity, nature and exploration into a groundbreaking work in the symphonic and choral repertoire.
History provides inspiration too. Music from Benjamin Britten’s opera Gloriana appears in the Hallé’s concert on Thursday 12 March. The opera explores the life and court of Queen Elizabeth I, drawing on historical accounts of her complex relationship with the Earl of Essex. Britten’s Courtly Dances capture the elegance and intrigue of the Elizabethan court.
And stories continue to inspire across generations. In May, pianist Sir Stephen Hough brings music from Mary Poppins to the International Concert Series – a reminder that the magical nanny first appeared in the beloved children’s books by P. L. Travers before becoming one of the most famous musical stories of all.
From Shakespeare’s tragic stream to Whitman’s vast oceans, and from ancient folklore to beloved children’s stories, these concerts show how music and literature have always been closely connected.
This World Book Day, you might just discover that some of the most memorable stories are told not with words, but with an orchestra. Find your story at The Bridgewater Hall this year.
Fiction Fest UK
For anyone looking to explore books in a different way, Fiction Fest UK is taking place at The Bridgewater Hall on Saturday 11 April 2026. Across panels, signings, interactive sessions, and author meet-ups, the festival celebrates stories across every genre – from fantasy and crime to romance, sci-fi, historical, and horror.