Manchester Collective: Rothko Chapel
What would it feel like to be inside a painting by Mark Rothko? This audio-visual live concert turns to the artist’s immense canvases for inspiration.
The concert reimagines his works through sound and light.
At the heart of the experience is Morton Feldman’s Rothko Chapel, a sonic meditation for chamber choir, solo viola, celeste and percussion.
The 30-minute piece was written as a tribute to Rothko shortly after the abstract artist’s death, and references the chapel in Houston which houses his formidable black paintings. A unique lighting installation frames this musical journey, beckoning listeners to find a space of introspection and contemplation.
Four world premieres capture the emotional essence of Rothko’s art. Be the first to hear new commissions by composers working at the cutting edge of contemporary classical music: Isabella Summers, founding member of Florence and the Machine, film and TV composer Isobel Waller-Bridge, Edmund Finnis and Katherine Balch.
With its haunting beauty and resonance, Rothko Chapel invites us to explore the depths of our inner world and connect with the transcendent power of art.
Performers
Manchester Collective string quartet, percussion
Ruth Gibson viola
SANSARA chamber choir
Repertoire
Feldman: Rothko Chapel for chorus, viola, celeste & percussion
Katherine Balch: songs and interludes for chamber choir & percussion
Edmund Finnis: Blue divided by blue for chorus, string quartet & tubular bells
Isobel Waller-Bridge: Rothko No.9 for chorus, string quartet & percussion
Missy Mazzoli: Vespers for violin & electronics
Arvo Pärt: Solfeggio for chorus
Saariaho: No.2 (Leggiero, molto espressivo) from 7 Papillons for cello
Need to know
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.