Trigger warning; this concert suggests themes of suicide and mental health issues.

Broken sounds and broken instruments, an uncompromising portrayal of the mind.

This semi-staged concert is based on our preconceptions of mental illness, with each piece having a connection to the psychology of the mind – centred around Peter Maxwell Davies‘ harrowing depiction of the ‘madness’ of King George III.

Maxwell Davies was a key member of the Manchester School of Composers, who reshaped the landscape of British music in the late 20th century. 8 Songs for a Mad King is a melodrama with a libretto based on the real-life observations of King George III, presenting an extravagant and disturbing portrayal of his condition. 

Vocalising weirdly as he bemoans his fate, trying to teach his instrumentalist-birds to sing – our musicians becoming projections from within his own mind.

Fun fact: King George III is actually the same monarch who is featured in the hit musical, ‘Hamilton’ – portraying him in a completely different light.

In our interpretation of this shocking masterwork, the protagonist role of King George III will be brought to life by the Mezzo-Soprano Idunnu Münch. Through her performance, she gives voice to the narratives surrounding mental illness, particularly those shaped by the female experience.

By Gis and by Saint Charity is a short and effective setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, drawing us into Ophelia’s claustrophobic inner world.

Composer and Pianist Schumann was to spend his final years in an asylum; he was 46 at the time of his death. In hindsight, it is hard for us to resist hearing a foreshadowing of doom in the uncanny march of the concluding section of Kreisleriana.

Brace yourself for this theatre classic, where the music screams, whispers, and unravels at the brink of madness.

Stoller Hall, Manchester | 5th June >

King's Place, London | 6th June >

Programme

• Errollyn Wallen By Gis and By Saint Charity
• Judith Weir Blue Green Hill
• Schumann arr.Parkin Kreisleriana
• Peter Maxwell Davies 8 Songs for a Mad King

Performed by

• Conductor John Andrews
• Mezzo Soprano Idunnu Münch
• Movement/Stage Direction Company Chameleon

Nneka Cummins is an award-winning composer and music producer from Liverpool. Nneka is currently one of the composers on the 2026 RPS Programme and is writing a wind quintet piece for us, to be performed at this special Lunchtime Concert.

Tickets are £10, and concessions are £3 (Under 30s, Students, and Gorton Residents)

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Programme

• Jacques Ibert Trois Pièces brèves
• W.A. Mozart Serenade No.11 in E-flat
• Nneka Cummins the return
• Leoš Janáček Mládí
• Valerie Coleman Umoja

Performed by

• Composer Nneka Cummins
• Flute Áine Molines
• Oboe Rachael Clegg
• Clarinet Katherine Lacy
• Clarinet Ben Pinto (Camerata 360° Ruth Sutton Fellow)
• Horn Mark Alder Bennett
• Bassoon Florence Plane

Join us, and the rest of the Haçienda Classical team, for a party jam-packed full of house classics in a way you’ve never heard before.

Don’t miss the party of the summer at Castlefield Bowl!

Programme

• House classics from the Haçienda

Leading the cast is the incomparable Michael Ball, joined by Loren Allred, Keala Settle, Ben Forster, Kerry Ellis, Alice Fearn, Hugh Maynard and Kelly Mathieson, alongside performers from Cardwell Theatre School.

Hosted by Aled Jones, the production is brought to life by our orchestra and the outstanding Manchester Vocal Ensemble, creating a rich and immersive live sound that fills the arena with festive atmosphere and theatrical energy.

Positioned as one of Europe’s largest festive productions, this spectacular event adds to the magic of Manchester at Christmas and promises an unforgettable evening of music, celebration and togetherness.

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Programme

• Musical Theatre anthems and Christmas Classics

Performed by

• Host Aled Jones
• A cast of some of the biggest names in Musical Theatre, alongside Michael Ball
• Manchester Vocal Ensemble
• Manchester Camerata