Manchester International Festival returns this summer

Manchester arts centre, Factory International, has announced the classical programme for the 2023 Manchester International Festival (MIF). The festival, which will run this summer from 29 June to 16 July, will host performances in venues across the city as well as at Factory International’s new home in advance of its official opening in October.

The festival’s classical programme will include the premieres of works specifically commissioned for the event including Philip Venables and Ted Huffman’s musical adaptation of cult 1977 book The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions and KAGAMI an immersive collaboration between Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and mixed reality content production studio Tin Drum.

John McGrath, who serves as artistic director and chief executive for both Factory International and MIF, said: ‘From the radical and agenda setting to the purest of celebrations, MIF23’s programme covers a huge range of art forms and styles... A genuine melting pot of creativity where artists share their ideas with each other and the public, the Festival will once again take the temperature of our times, and imagine possibilities for the future.’

The BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni, will make an appearance at the festival performing the world premiere of Prophecies of Stone by John Luther Adams, alongside pianist Ralph Van Raat. The orchestra’s programme, titled Sonic Geography, will also include new commissions by Ailís Ní Ríain and Alissa Firsova. All the works in this concert have been commissioned by Factory International for the festival and are inspired by ‘the resolve, resilience and magic of the natural world’.

Manchester residents, the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester Camerata and Manchester Collective are also showcased at the festival this year. Composer Anna Meredith and her band will join forces with the Royal Northern College of Music Festival Orchestra for a one-off performance of her Mercury Prize-shortlisted album FIBS at Manchester's former railway station, the Depot Mayfield.

Manchester Camerata will team up with polymath DJ, composer and producer AFRODEUTSCHE to present the premiere of her new composition. The new work, which merges contemporary classical, techno, house and electro forms part of the ensemble’s new live experience UNQUIET created by conductor Robert Ames.AFRODEUTSCHE will premiere her new composition at the festival with Manchester Camerata ©Pierre Debusschere ​

Manchester Collective will collaborate with Leeds-based theatre company Slung Low to offer a vibrant new staging of Benjamin Britten’s community opera, Noah’s Flood. Author Lemn Sissay will perform as the voice of God, joined by a cast of professional musicians and 180 performers from communities in Holbeck and Manchester.

Manchester Collective artistic director and chief executive, Adam Szabo, said: ‘Noah's Flood is a totally unique work – it’s part of a rich operatic tradition, but with sharing, inclusion and community at its beating heart… This production will showcase British opera at its very finest, made in the north, for the people, by the people.’

Tickets for MIF23 are on sale to Factory International members via the Factory International website from 28 March before going on general sale on 30 March.