Exciting Performances Ahead…
Indulge in a musical journey which captures the essence of historical music performed with passion and creativity. Be captivated by our engaging and vibrant interpretations.
Experience the magic of period instruments bringing centuries-old music to life. Manchester Baroque invites you to immerse yourself in a world where music transcends time and resonates in your soul.
We love welcoming new attendees to our performances and want to ensure everyone feels comfortable. We've put together some FAQs to help those who are unsure of what to expect. If your query isn't listed, please feel free to contact us – we'd love to hear from you!
‘Musick’ in Manchester 1744/45
Reconstruction of an original concert from 14th May 1745
Saturday 17th May, 7.30pm
St Ann’s Church, Central Manchester
Join Manchester Baroque as we reconstruct an original concert programme that took place in our city on 14th May 1745. 'Musick' in Manchester is based on original research by our Artistic Director Dr Pauline Nobes, who discovered a transcript of sixteen subscription concert programmes which took place in Manchester between November 2nd 1744 and August 20th 1745. We have been working our way reconstructing these concerts since Manchester Baroque formed, so join us on our next instalment!
We bring Manchester’s rich archives of music to life, performing on period instruments in Manchester’s only surviving 18th Century Church. Highlights of the programme include Corelli’s Concerto Grosso Op.6 No.7, Overtures and Arias from Handel’s Operas Alexander the Great and Admetus, and Handel’s celebrated Water Music.
Programme
Overture to Alexander the Great - arrangement by Handel for solo harpsichord - George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759)
Flute Concerto in G Major - Johann Hasse (1699-1783)
’Endless pleasure, endless love’ from Semele- Handel
Harpsichord Concerto Op.1/1 in C major (Johnson, [1744]) - William Felton
Trio Sonata in G Major (Young, [1726]) - John Humphries
Interval
Overture to Admetus - Handel
‘Luci care, addio posate’ from Admetus (1726) - Handel
Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 6/7 - Arcangelo Corelli (1653 – 1713)
Violin Sonata in A Minor, Op. 3/1 - Michele Mascitti (c.1664 – c.1760)
Water Music Suite (1730) - Handel
Performers
Manchester Baroque - performing on period instruments with soloists:
Jane Burnell - Soprano
David Francis - Harpsichord
Pauline Nobes - Violin
Martyn Shaw - Flute
This concert is generously supported by the Continuo Foundation
‘Musick’ in Manchester 1744/45
Swaledale Festival
We are delighted to be returning to the Swaledale Festival to perform a reconstruction of an original concert first performed on 14th May 1745.
Join Manchester Baroque as we reconstruct an original concert programme that took place in our city on 14th May 1745. 'Musick' in Manchester is based on original research by our Artistic Director Dr Pauline Nobes, who discovered a transcript of sixteen subscription concert programmes which took place in Manchester between November 2nd 1744 and August 20th 1745. We have been working our way reconstructing these concerts since Manchester Baroque formed, so join us on our next instalment!
We bring Manchester’s rich archives of music to life, performing on period instruments in Manchester’s only surviving 18th Century Church. Highlights of the programme include Corelli’s Concerto Grosso Op.6 No.7, Overtures and Arias from Handel’s Operas Alexander the Great and Admetus, and Handel’s celebrated Water Music.
Programme
Overture to Alexander the Great - arrangement by Handel for solo harpsichord - George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759)
Flute Concerto in G Major - Johann Hasse (1699-1783)
’Endless pleasure, endless love’ from Semele- Handel
Harpsichord Concerto Op.1/1 in C major (Johnson, [1744]) - William Felton
Trio Sonata in G Major (Young, [1726]) - John Humphries
Interval
Overture to Admetus - Handel
‘Luci care, addio posate’ from Admetus (1726) - Handel
Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 6/7 - Arcangelo Corelli (1653 – 1713)
Violin Sonata in A Minor, Op. 3/1 - Michele Mascitti (c.1664 – c.1760)
Water Music Suite (1730) - Handel
Performers
Manchester Baroque - performing on period instruments with soloists:
Jane Burnell - Soprano
David Francis - Harpsichord
Pauline Nobes - Violin
Martyn Shaw - Flute
Tickets can be booked directly through the festival website - Click the link below to be directed
This concert is supported by the Continuo Foundation
Intimate Notes - ‘Bach Family’
Image by Claudia Terpstra
This ‘Intimate Notes’ concert showcases our historical instruments at their very best. With a selection of solo pieces and works for small groups of musicians, you will hear the beauty of each instrument in breathtaking detail.
This programme highlights the wealth and variety of music composed by the Bach family. As well as the father (Johann Sebastian), we showcase rarely performed music by sons Johann Christian, Johan Christoph Friederich, Carl Philipp Emanuel and Wilhelm Friedmann. Telemann gets an honorary Bach family membership, as he was the Godfather to CPE. Join us as we perform music by the most talented family the world has ever known!
Performers:
Manchester Baroque - performing on period instruments
Pauline Nobes – Violin
Martyn Shaw – Flute
Rachel Gray – Cello
David Francis - Harpsichord
Programme:
Nouveaux Quartuors, ‘Paris Quartet’ in D Major (TWV43:D3) - Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Cello Sonata in G Major (HW x/1) - Johann Christoph Friederich Bach (1732-1795)
Sonata in F Major, (Thulemeyer 55) - Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710–1784)
Interval
Twelve Short Pieces Nos.1-6 (W. 81) - Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
Harpsichord Sonata in E Major Op.5/5 - Johann Christian Bach (1735–1782)
Flute Sonata in E Minor (BWV 1034) - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Trio Sonata in A Major (TWV 42:A2) - Georg Philipp Telemann
Evening of Songs
A captivating evening of Baroque song and instrumental colour. Soprano Jane Burnell returns with a selection of dazzling arias, joined by Manchester Baroque’s Fellowship players and ensemble regulars.
Performers:
Manchester Baroque - performing on period instruments
Jane Burnell – Soprano
Pauline Nobes and Andrew Taheny - Violin
James Heathcote – Cello
David Francis - Harpsichord
Programme:
‘Ye gentle spirits of the air’ from the Fairy Queen - Henry Purcell (1659–1695)
‘The Grand Chaconne’ from 10 Sonatas in 4 parts - Henry Purcell
Plaint from the Fairy Queen - Henry Purcell
Ricercare No.5 - Domenico Gabrielli (1651-1690)
‘Battaglia de Barbaso yerno de Satanas’ from Il Primo Libro di Canzone, Brandi - Andrea Falconiero (1585–1656)
Interval
Le Parnassus ou L’Apothéose de Corelli - François Couperin (1668–1733)
Armida Abbandonata (HWV 105) - George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Sonata No. 6 from Harmonia-artificiosa-ariosa (1696) - Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644–1704)
J.S. Bach - St John Passion BWV 245
Join Manchester Baroque, in our first partnership with Lincoln Cathedral Choir, for a performance of one of the greatest works of all time – Bach’s St John Passion. The John Passion was first performed on Good Friday in 1724 in Leipzig. It has become one of the best-known musical works to depict the Easter story. Both dramatic and moving, the St John Passion is a captivating and memorable musical journey.
The Choir of Lincoln Cathedral
Conductor: Aric Prentice
Leader: Pauline Nobes
Christus: Johannes Moore
Evangelist: Mark Wilde
FAQS
-
We are a professional ensemble based in Manchester but working across the North. We play music written between roughly 1600 and 1750 as we think it would have been heard then. We use instruments (and replicas) from the period and perform in a style we think reflects how the music was played at the time.
-
We think it is beautiful sounding - energetic, engaging, tuneful. We play everything from small chamber concerts with a just a few musicians to very large concerts with a choir and full orchestra. Baroque instruments have a soft, intimate sound and are played at a different pitch to modern instruments. This means the same 'note' on the page sounds lower when we play. Many of the pieces are very short - they were like the pop music of the day.
-
Probably the best known piece is Vivaldi's Four Seasons. It's wildly popular 300 years after it was written - and rightly so given how good the tunes are. But Handel, Bach and Corelli are other well known composers and the lovely thing about our concerts is that we often play pieces that are very little known and may never have been publicly performed in this city.
-
We always send an email out before the concert saying what time the doors open, when it finishes and other useful logistical information. Seats are unallocated within the area you have bought tickets for so it is worth getting to the concert early so you can choose one. During the concert the performers talk about the pieces you will hear, giving you an insight into the music, period and their instruments. There will also be programmes - free for small concerts and with a charge for the larger ones.
-
Whatever you feel comfortable in. There is no set dress code and no one will judge you!
-
Yes! All the musicians are professionals and at different stages of their careers. We are very lucky to have extraordinarily accomplished players who, led by Dr Pauline Nobes, are creating an amazing sound. Manchester Baroque has been formed as a charity and has a very active set of trustees who work as a team with the musicians, our funders, donors and most importantly of all you, our audience.