Liverpool Phil grabs striker from Manchester

Liverpool Phil grabs striker from Manchester

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norman lebrecht

June 29, 2023

This is going to hurt them at the Hallé.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, England’s oldest orchestra, are about to appoint a new Director of Choirs and Singing in succession to Ian Tracey, who is stepping down after 38 years.

The new chorus chief is to be Matthew Hamilton, Choral Director at the Hallé since 2015.

In terms of orchestra rivalry, this is equivalent to Marcus Rashford moving to Anfield.

Matthew is also music director of New London Chamber Choir and former Associate Director of the London Symphony Chorus.

UPDATE: Apparently he will perform both jobs – in Manchester and Liverpool. That’d be beyond Rashford’s capacities.

Comments

  • Rich C. says:

    Two things you should stay away from: politics and football.

  • Choral Ninja says:

    You have obviously not absorbed the full details of what is going on here. Matt Hamilton is indeed becoming choral director for the RLPC, an excellent choice to help revive what had become a somewhat tired choir under the latter years of Ian Tracey’s directorship. However, he will continue to be the choral director for the Hallé Choir, hopefully for many years to come.

    It will be exactly the same arrangement that sees Simon Halsey direct both the CBSO and LSO choruses. In other words Marcus Rashford will be playing for both Liverpool AND Man U.

    • Dave says:

      Does that mean that Matthew – a terrific director, as I know from experience – will send in elves to do most of the rehearsals and then turn up on stage to take the bow?

      (I rather think not.)

    • Observer says:

      Grossly unfair, inaccurate and very rude to suggest Ian Tracey’s direction was getting tired…
      Surely he’s allowed a lot more respect about such expert and superb choral direction than you discredit him for.
      Give the man a gong – he deserves it for the 100’s of performances he’s prepared the RLPC for (and conducted)

      • pjl says:

        Yes! I travelled 250 miles for the recent CHILD OF OUR TIME: a standing ovation for all was given…he is a legend

    • Bass One says:

      Unkind.

  • Victor Turner says:

    I will miss Ian Tracey

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