Gorton Monastery now a music venue

The newly-restored Gorton Monastery is about to start a new phase in its 145-year existence – as a music venue that will attract artists and visitors from around the world.

Music in the Monastery is a series of concerts that will start with an appearance by Manchester’s own international tenor Martin Toal. He'll be performing songs from his CD Aria Celtica this Friday (10 October), and Manchester Confidential has ten pairs of tickets to give away.

Said Martin about the event: “The incredible acoustics in the monastery together with the wonderful architecture makes singing there a unique experience and one which is quite simply a joy for both the artist and the listener.

“The residents of Gorton and East Manchester have seen massive regeneration over the last few years and at last they can boast a music venue that is the envy of the world. I’m in no doubt that we will see the likes of Lesley Garrett here before long…it’s just a pity that my great hero Pavarotti is not still alive.”

Martin will perform Irish songs such as ‘Red is the Rose’, ‘Danny Boy’ and ‘The Leaving of Liverpool’, as well as popular Italian songs and arias such as ’Volare’, ‘Funiculi Funicula’, ‘O Sole Mio’ and Puccini’s masterpiece ‘Nessun Dorma,’ which he recently sang at Wembley. He will be backed by the monastery’s Gorton Voice Choir and accompanied by leading UK violinist Craig Owen.

Following extensive restoration, the once-neglected building has been transformed into a venue for cultural, community, corporate and charitable events.

The Martin Toal concert will take place at 7.30pm on Friday 10 October. Tickets cost £15 (£10 for OAPs, students and residents of Gorton and East Manchester). Get them from the box office on 0845 600 9370. Find out more about the monastery at www.gortonmonastery.co.uk.

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