Michael Nyman Tickets on Sale Now
© Mark McNulty, 2014
Tickets are now on sale for a new work by internationally acclaimed composer Michael Nyman. His Symphony No. 11: Hillsborough Memorial is presented by Liverpool Biennial, in partnership with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Liverpool Cathedral.
The performance will be part of the opening weekend of Liverpool Biennial 2014 and takes place at the Liverpool Cathedral on Saturday 5 July at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 and available online at www.liverpoolphil.com or from the Liverpool Philharmonic Box Office on 0151 709 3789 (no booking fees apply).
Michael Nyman's Symphony No. 11: Hillsborough Memorial will be performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, with Liverpool-born mezzo soprano Kathryn Rudge and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth and Training Choirs, conducted by Josep Vicent,
The work represents the culmination of Michael Nyman's thinking around the tragedies connected with Liverpool Football Club. 25 years after the Hillsborough disaster, he says that he hopes it will make a small but significant contribution to the healing process still necessary for the families of the lost fans.
Sais Jayne Garrity of The Liverpool Philharmonic, ‘Families of the 96, and other city and civic representatives will be invited to hear the world premiere performance of Symphony No.11: Hillsborough Memorial in Liverpool Cathedral earlier in the day on Saturday 5 July.’
Symphony No. 11 also restores the work known as Memorial to its original 1985 context (having subsequently become well-known in The Cook, The Thief, His Wife And Her Lover). In this new version for voice and orchestra, Kathryn Rudge will sing the names of the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives, accompanied by music Nyman was recording on the afternoon of the Hillsborough tragedy.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “We will never forget those who lost their lives at Hillsborough, or the impact it had on their bereaved families. The anger, pain and sorrow they have felt for the past 25 years is shared by everyone in Liverpool, and by thousands of others across Merseyside, across the country and around the world.
“Memorials are a symbol of our solidarity and support for the families, and Nyman’s specially commissioned piece of music will be a moving and unforgettable tribute. It is certain to be a highlight of this year’s Biennial and a fantastic example of art being used to help shine a light on the dignity and bravery of those who have strived for justice for the 96.”
Dean of Liverpool, the Very Revd. Dr. Pete Wilcox, said “One of my first encounters with Liverpool Cathedral was on the day of the Hillsborough Panel Report a few days before I took up my role in September 2012. I was proud that our cathedral was able to provide a place of comfort and support on that difficult day and I believe that our building will be an equally fitting venue for Michael’s symphony. My hope is that the magnificent acoustic and a sense of God's presence will enable this world renowned composer’s piece to offer us all space to reflect and find a further measure of healing, as the 96, the survivors and their families are remembered. It is poignant that the performance will have the fresh inquests as a backdrop.”
In addition to the live performance of Symphony No. 11: Hillsborough Memorial a recording of the symphony will be played in Liverpool Cathedral at 15:06 on the following days:
Wednesday 6 August, Monday 25 August, Wednesday 3 September and Wednesday 17 September.
