Univeristy of Manchester Chorus & Symphony Orchestra

Tom Newall & Robert Guy conductors
Jay Broadhurst tenor
University of Manchester Chorus & Symphony Orchestra
Salford Choral Society
Congleton Choral Society
Unity Brass, Crewe

Berlioz Requiem (Grand messe des morts) 82’

The Berlioz Bridgewater Project unites several strong musical communities surrounding Manchester alongside the University of Manchester Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for the first time in over fifteen years, producing an event appealing to the dynamic local musical enthusiasm of our city. With the aim of proving that the arts can be profitable, accessible and community driven, we bring together over 500 performers on an international stage to perform the mighty Berlioz Grande Messe des Morts. Professional musicians will perform alongside our community of students and choral society members from across the North-West of England for this performance that promises to create lifelong memories for all involved, to inspire the next generation of music makers, and create a legacy to help build the work of each partner organisation through this celebration of Berlioz’s music.

Our performance of Berlioz’s Grande Messe des Morts centres its grand monumentalism, a staggering magnitude, which we intend to do justice, staying true to the composer’s desired proportions and overall sound while considering the needs of our audience as well as the work. At the core of the project is the near 500 performers that our personnel team are bringing together as Berlioz originally intended. Students at the University of Manchester and a diverse group of singers from Salford and Congleton Choral Societies will have the chance to perform alongside professional musicians including university alumni and brass bands from the North of England.

We have an exciting and unprecedented opportunity for community collaboration while presenting students with an incredibly rare opportunity. The marvel and magnitude of Berlioz’s work is central to this project, the chance to celebrate his mastery on this scale is rare. The Project is a battle-cry against the defunding of the arts nationally, and increasingly in higher education.