Charles Hallé

Oh wow, where to start on this guy's life.

So Charles Hallé was born Carl Halle in Germany in 1819. It was seen early on in his childhood that he was pretty damn good on the piano, giving concerts before he was even 10. He studied and performed in Paris, getting to know composers such as Liszt, Berlioz, Wagner and Chopin, but moved to Manchester during the 1848 French Revolution as concert audiences dwindled. At some point he changed his name to a more English-French version, apparently to ensure more accurate pronunciation by his new peers. 

He was a pianist and conductor, and when working in Manchester he initially conducted the Gentleman's Concerts and taught piano on the side. Pretty well connected to the great and wealthy, he even had ties with monarchy. 

In 1857, when the famous Art Treasures Exhibition was held in Manchester, Hallé greatly expanded the Gentleman's Concerts orchestra for performances. Afterwards, rather than disband it he decided to engage it for a new series of concerts at his own risk. The first concert was given on 30 January 1858. Thus he birthed the now famous Hallé Orchestra, Manchester's permanent orchestra.

Very soon the Hallé Concerts became Manchester's leading musical event. Hallé conducted them, often also appearing as piano soloist, for the remaining 37 years of his life. His programmes were adventurous and he engaged leading soloists of the day. 

During the late 1880s to early 1890s, he toyed with the idea of a permanent school of professional musical training in Manchester. He saw no reason why local talent had to go outside of the North to get a decent music education. So, he set about designing one himself. With his connections and influence, it didn't take long. Thus it was that in 1893 the Royal Manchester College of Music was created. He was appointed principal and piano professor.

Hallé was knighted in 1888, the year in which he also married the celebrated violinist Wilma Norman-Neruda (his first wife Désirée Smith de Rilieu had died in 1866).

With Lady Hallé he gave sonata recitals not only in Britain but on tours of Australia and South Africa. They had returned from the latter only a few weeks before Hallé's sudden death from cerebral haemorrhage. he died in 1895 and is buried in Weaste Cemetery, Salford.