Christmas gift from orchestra

Halle Orchestra, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.

Sir Mark Elder’s assistant Andrew Gourley conducted the Halle Orchestra in a selection of great opera overtures.

The orchestra began the evening with the overture from Rossini’s opera “The Thieving Magpie.”

The piece sparked a lively concert, the programme including overtures from Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmilla, Verdi’s Nabucco and an orchestral fantasia on Puccini’s La boheme.

But the one consistent thing with the Halle’s “pops” concerts is the familiarity of the music chosen.

The titles may not be immediately obvious to casual classical music fans, but much of the music is known from its use in everything from film scores to TV commercials.

Consider treating yourself for Christmas. It is an experience music-lovers shouldn’t miss.