Music lovers from the North West are in for a treat when Manchester’s international tenor Martin Toal gives a rare live performance of songs from his CD Aria Celtica at Gorton Monastery on 10 October.
The concert will be the first in a series of Music at the Monastery concerts that will establish the magnificiently-restored Gorton Monastery as a leading music venue in east Manchester, attracting major regional, national and international artists to this part of the city.
"The incredible acoustic in the Monastery together with the wonderful architecture makes singing there a unique experience and one which is quite simply a joy for both the artist and the listener," said Martin Toal.
"The residents of Gorton and east Manchester have seen massive regeneration over the last few years and at last they can boast a music venue that is the envy of the world! I'm in no doubt that we will see the likes of Lesley Garrett here before long … it's just a pity that my great hero Pavarotti is not still alive!"
The Monastery's Chief Executive, Elaine Griffiths, is delighted that Martin has chosen to perform Aria Celtica.
"It is important that we get the message out to local people that they have a world class music venue on their doorstep and I know that this will be an evening not to be missed."
The concert will include moving Irish songs like 'Red is the Rose', 'Danny Boy' and 'The Leaving of Liverpool', as well as popular Italian songs and arias such as 'Volare', 'Funiculi Funicula', 'O Sole Mio' and Puccini's masterpiece 'Nessun Dorma,' which Martin only recently sang at Wembley as a tribute to England's World Cup winning football captain the late Bobby Moore.
Martin will be backed by the Monastery's very own Gorton Voice Choir and accompanied by leading UK violinist Craig Owen, who will also perform well-known solo pieces.
The concert will take place at 7.30pm on Friday 10 October and tickets priced at £15 (£10 for OAPs, students & residents of Gorton and east Manchester) can be purchased from the box office on 0845 600 9370.
For further information on the Monastery please visit www.gortonmonastery.co.uk
Media contact:
Martin Hellewell, tel 0161 223 1155