As part of this week’s Create Salford Festival, Manchester’s Cathedral will host the European musical premiere of world–renowned composer Nancy Galbraith’s The Passion of St Matthew.
This premiere performance of The Passion of St Matthew has been arranged by the University’s Directorate of Music & Performance and the concert will be directed by Thomas Octave on the evening of Thursday 18 June.
The Passion of St Matthew concert is set to be a major highlight of the University of Salford’s Create Salford Festival, an annual event that showcases the best creative work from the University’s School of Arts & Media students.
From Wednesday 17 to Saturday 20 June, Salford students will stage original live performances, ranging from comedy to theatre, plus a wide range of art and design degree exhibitions, and ceremonies celebrating the best in student journalism and media.
The Passion of St Matthew will be performed by Salford students and staff, alongside students from the prestigious St Vincent’s, Latrobe Music School and professional musicians. Galbraith is Professor and Chair of Composition in the School of Music at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh. This performance will mark the first phase of an exciting new partnership between the prestigious Carnegie Mellon and Salford’s School of Arts & Media.
Nancy Galbraith’s career has spanned over three decades and her music has earned praise for its rich harmonic texture, rhythmic vitality, depth, and wide range of expression. Her works appear on numerous recordings, including seven personal anthologies. Galbraith’s symphonic works have been performed in the US, Latin America and Europe, and have enjoyed regular performances by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Her chamber works have been performed by members of the New York Philharmonic and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Speaking ahead of the event Professor Nancy Galbraith said: “I’m very excited to unveil The Passion of St Matthew to the UK and Europe in the remarkably beautiful Manchester Cathedral as part of the Create Salford Festival.
“I’m sure that this concert will be the beginning of a long and productive partnership between Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Salford.”
University of Salford Director of Music and Performance, Professor Stephen Davismoon added: “The European premiere of The Passion of St Matthew is certain to be one of the highlights of this year’s Create Salford Festival. To have Salford music and performance staff and students involved in the concert alongside professionals and students from two American partner institutions will make for a fabulous event. It’ll be an honour for us all to work with Professor Nancy Galbraith who is such a senior compositional figure in the USA. “
Members of the public are invited to join University staff and students for this performance in the wonderful surroundings of Manchester Cathedral.
To register for a free ticket please sign up at: https://create2015passion.eventbrite.co.uk
