Part one open to the Public
ITEM NO.
REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE
To the Leaders Briefing Meeting
on Monday,
11th August 2008
TITLE: Manchester International Festival
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1.
To confirm participation in the Manchester International Festival 2009, through a cocommissioned new ballet work by Carlos Acosta at The Lowry featuring the BBC
Philharmonic Orchestra
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Last year Salford City Council made a contribution towards the Manchester International
Festival of £165K. This provided two events: a performance by ballet dancer Carlos Acosta
at the Lowry (with discounted tickets for Salford residents) and an outdoor concert “Unknown
Pleasures” at Salford Quays. Evaluations for both these events are available on request.
Manchester International Festival organisers are again seeking involvement from Salford
City Council in putting together their programme for 2009. They would like to stage an event
at The Lowry, again featuring Carlos Acosta, this time featuring a new work which would be
co-commissioned by Salford City Council. The full proposals were discussed at a recent
meeting between festival organisers, the Chief Executive and Director of Marketing and
Communications.
Carlos Acosta is arguably the greatest ballet dancer of his generation and currently Guest
Principal with the Royal Ballet in London and with American Ballet Theatre in New York.
The programme will consist of up to four pieces:
FIRST HALF (2 or 3 of the following)
1) L’Après-midi d'un Faune - Choreography: Vaslav Nijinsky, Music: Claude Debussy
2) New Commission, title to be confirmed (tbc) - Choreography: tbc, Music: tbc
3) A Suite of Dances - Choreography: Jerome Robbins, Music: J S Bach
SECOND HALF
4) Apollo - Choreography: George Balanchine, Music: Igor Stravinsky
Three of the pieces in the programme are acknowledged “classics” for a male dancer. The
final piece will seek to continue the tradition of the male muse in ballet with a new piece
commissioned from a contemporary choreographer for a leading young male dancer.
The company will consist of approximately nine dancers, accompanied by the BBC
Philharmonic Orchestra.
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It is intended that Manchester International Festival, in partnership with the Lowry and the
BBC Philharmonic, would accompany the new commission with a focused education project
engaging with talented young dancers and musicians in Salford.
The venue would be The Lowry; discussions have already taken place and they are very
keen to be involved, as are the BBC Philharmonic. There would be 3 performances between
July 8-12 2009 playing to a potential capacity audience of 1730. Festival organisers are
seeking a financial contribution in the region of £99K, a smaller sum than in 2007. This can
be met within existing Tourism Marketing budgets.
Manchester International Festival organisers are much clearer about the potential benefits to
Salford than in 2007. They list the following as benefits:
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Brand association with a high quality, innovative world-premiere created by leading
international artists in their field. The project will launch at the Lowry and then go on
to perform at Sadlers Wells in London in 2010. As co-commissioners, Salford City
Council’s name would be treated the same as other co-commissioners and carried
on publicity for all future presentations of the work.
An agreed number of tickets would be provided at both the Lowry and Sadlers Wells
for Salford City Council’s hospitality purposes
Continuing and developing a relationship with Carlos Acosta, enabling Salford and
other NW residents the chance to see this world class performer
Significant media coverage in local, national, international and specialist media
Raise the profile of Salford as a home of cultural innovation
Raise the profile of Salford as a cultural and event destination for existing and
potential national and international visitors
This proposal is supported by the Tourism Marketing team within the Marketing and
Communications division and sits well within the council’s Tourism Marketing Strategy.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
(Available for public inspection)
Evaluation of Carlos Acosta event, Manchester International Festival 2007
Evaluation of Unknown Pleasures event, Manchester International Festival 2007
ASSESSMENT OF RISK:
Medium
The main areas of risk are
 working with an external organisation - the level of control is restricted
 risk to reputation – if the event does not go ahead or if there are problems with the event
The risks are minimised by the offer to the city council of a place on the board which will oversee
the event, and by the organisation’s track record in delivering three previous successful events.
The Director of Marketing and Communications has also offered the services of a member of
staff from the Tourism Marketing Team to assist in activities associated with the festival.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Funding for this event, and for its associated marketing, already exists within the Tourism
Marketing budget.
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COMMENTS OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER AND SUPPORT SERVICES
(or his representative):
1. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
Provided by: City Solicitor
The wellbeing powers under s.2 Local Government Act 2000 provide the necessary power to
undertake this project. A formal sponsorship agreement will be required in due course.
It is recommended that power to approve the final terms of that agreement and any incidental
documentation is delegated to the Director of Marketing & Communications in consultation
with the City Solicitor.
2. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Provided by: Geoff Topping
No comment as there is budget provision to cover the proposal.
3. ICT STEERING GROUP IMPLICATIONS
Provided by: Not applicable
PROPERTY (if applicable):
Not applicable
HUMAN RESOURCES (if applicable):
Not applicable
CONTACT OFFICERS:
Susan Wildman (Director of Marketing and Communications)
WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S):
ALL WARDS generally, but Ordsall specifically
KEY COUNCIL POLICIES:
Tourism Marketing Strategy for the period 2008-9
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