Exhibition

Little Histories: Hallé Autograph Books

An exhibition containing signatures and other ephemera from early 20th-century autograph books, collected primarily at performances by the Hallé Orchestra. Short biographies, images, and personal anecdotes of the peformers accompany.

Classical music has long been percieved as the reserve of the cultural elite, but the Hallé's place in Manchester has always been one that crosses class and cultural boundaries. We delve here into biographies and personal anecdotes collected in relation to individuals connected to the Hallé in one way or another; in some cases, we gain a window into the lives of ordinary Mancunians - in others, we hear tales of stage divas and child prodigies. All of these 'Little Histories' weave together a varied tale of musicality which runs deep in the veins of Manchester as a city and a community.

We invite you to catch some fleeting glimpses into the varied - and sometimes unbelievable - lives of early 20th-century Hallé performers, conductors, and more.

Materials digitised and curated by Sophie Pritchard and Abigail Howard.