How about discovering the Bridgewater Hall a concert venue that embodies Manchester’s modern spirit? Opened in 1996 this hall has become a cultural landmark. It hosts over 250 performances each year.
The Bridgewater Hall replaced the Free Trade Hall. The Free Trade Hall had poor acoustics. Proposals to replace it arose after World War II damage.
Manchester City Council and others funded its construction. The cost was around 42 million pounds. The Bridgewater Hall is named after the Third Duke of Bridgewater. He commissioned the Bridgewater Canal. The hall sits on an arm of the Rochdale Canal.
Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Bridgewater Hall on December 4 1996. This event marked Manchester’s transition to a modern city.
The Bridgewater Hall won awards soon after opening including the RIBA North West award in 1996. In 1998 it received the Civic Trust Special Award. This recognized its positive impact on the city center.
Inside the Bridgewater Hall can seat 2341 people. The auditorium spans four tiers. These are stalls, choir circle, circle and gallery.
A unique feature of the Bridgewater Hall is its foundation. It rests on earthquake proof isolation bearings. These bearings block noise and vibrations. The hall’s structure weighs 26500 tonnes. It rests on 280 GERB isolation bearings. This makes it the first concert hall with this technology.
The Bridgewater Hall’s design is striking. It features solid reinforced concrete. The auditorium has a double skinned roof. Its outer shell is stainless steel. Corsehill Quarry sandstone forms the lower part. Aluminium and glass clad the upper walls. Jura limestone is used inside.
The Bridgewater Hall’s pipe organ is a focal point. Marcussen and Son built it. It cost 1.2 million pounds. The organ has 5500 pipes and four keyboards. It was the largest instrument installed in the UK for a century.
Outside stands the Ishinki Touchstone. Kan Yasuda created this sculpture from Carrara marble. It weighs 18 tonnes. A sculpture of Sir John Barbirolli is near the main entrance.
The Hallé Orchestra calls Bridgewater Hall home. So do the Hallé Choir and Manchester Boys Choir. The BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata also perform here regularly.
Since 2002 the Hallé Youth Orchestra and Youth Choir have been based here. These groups support musicians under nineteen.
Besides concerts the Bridgewater Hall hosts conferences and events. Manchester Metropolitan University holds graduation ceremonies here. The Open University also uses the hall for its ceremonies.
The Bridgewater Hall is more than a concert venue. It is a symbol of Manchester’s cultural vibrancy. Its innovative design and commitment to music make it a special place. It is an icon in the heart of the city.