Made in Manchester: Sir John Barbirolli (1899-1970) – nicknamed ‘Glorious John’ - was the distinguished postwar conductor of the Hallé orchestra, which he helped to save from dissolution in 1943 and conducted for the rest of his life. 1/7
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As some brought up in the tradition of t'Halle & John Barbirolli, 1947 advert for concerts when 'homeless' and John Cunliffe's illustration from the brochure marking the re-opening of the Free Trade Hall in 1951.
The Hallé’s traditional venue, the Free Trade Hall, was virtually destroyed in the 1940 Blitz, after which the orchestra moved to various locations including Belle Vue. It was in danger of extinction for lack of players when Barbirolli became its conductor. 2/7
Barbirolli, born in London to Italian and French parents, was a cellist who had succeeded Arturo Toscanini as musical director of the New York Philharmonic. He narrowly avoided death before taking up the Hallé challenge. 3/7
En route from New York he changed flights at Lisbon with actor Leslie Howard, who wanted to postpone his own flight by a few days; Barbirolli’s plane landed safely, but Howard’s was shot down. 4/7
In Manchester Barbirolli had a month to recruit 40 players to add to 35 under contract. He scoured the country for talent and launched a virtually new orchestra, soon acclaimed as the nation’s best. He was knighted in 1949 and served for 27 years until his death. 5/7
The orchestra returned to the Free Trade Hall when it reopened in 1951. Barbirolli took the Hallé from strength to strength, touring the UK and overseas. 6/7
Ralph Vaughan Williams dedicated his Eighth Symphony to Barbirolli, whose nickname ‘Glorious John’ comes from an inscription at the head of the score: ‘For glorious John, with love and admiration from Ralph.’ 7/7
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Sadly, I'm ill.