Manchester International Festival is dedicated to commissioning and presenting new work by some of the world’s leading artists and creative minds.
With a wide-ranging programme and more free events the Festival is designed to be exhilarating, thought-provoking and welcoming to all. A handful of names from the inaugural Festival two years ago have returned to create brand new shows. They are joined by an array of other artists drawn from around the world and covering the cultural spectrum, joined by representatives of the wealth of talent
right here in the city itself.

MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 09 COMMISSIONS:
It Felt Like a Kiss
Immersive theatre created by Adam Curtis & Punchdrunk; music composed by Damon Albarn

Kraftwerk and Steve Reich
Double bill: two pioneers of contemporary music at Manchester’s Velodrome

Marina Abramovic Presents…
Pioneer of long-durational art curates group show at the Whitworth Gallery

JS Bach/Zaha Hadid Architects
ZHA create installation at Manchester Art Gallery for the music of Bach

Everybody Loves A Winner
Bingo comes to the Royal Exchange Theatre; show created by Neil Bartlett

Antony & The Johnsons with Manchester Camerata
UK premiere of full-length orchestral show in new light environment

Flailing Trees
Gustav Metzger’s provocative public art; a forest in Manchester’s city centre

Manchester Report
Chaired by Lord Bingham, an inquiry into strategies to combat climate change

Procession
Jeremy Deller curates a uniquely Mancunian procession along Deansgate; free, all welcome

Elbow & The Halle
Mercury-winners meet original Manchester band, orchestrated by Joe Duddell

Carlos Acosta
Greatest male ballet dancer of his generation in exclusive mixed programme

Prima Donna
The world-premiere of Rufus Wainwright’s debut opera

Young@Heart in End of the Road

Acclaimed choir of advanced age premiere their final production

The Great Indoors
Free weekend of performance and activity for children and families in the town hall

De La Soul
Exclusive shows celebrating the 20th anniversary of 3 Feet High and Rising

Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed
Performing together for the first time in the UK

Same Teens/Mystery Jets
Teen promoters present their favourite band, plus DJs; under 19s only

Amadou & Mariam and The Beating Wing Orchestra
Malian duo composing and performing with local, cosmopolitan group

Durutti Colum – Paean to Wilson
Original Factory band perform their tribute to Anthony H Wilson

True Faith
Dave Haslam curates several evenings of Manchester-made talent

Festival Feast
Culinary experts create special dishes for this free banquet

2-19 July 2009
www.mif.co.uk
For more information, images, quotes and interview requests please contact:
Nadja Coyne,
Head of Press
t: +44 161 238 7335
e: nadja.coyne@mif.co.uk

Festival Director Alex Poots said “We are very pleased to be able to bring together such a range of artists for the 09 event. We’ve tried to give our artists room to breathe, encouraging them to explore new ways of working within their fields and beyond. Manchester has long thrived on invention, innovation and radical thought, and MIF aspires to be part of that tradition.”

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “This year’s programme is incredibly exciting and is even more ambitious than in 2007. To be hosting this internationally renowned festival of original new work is great for the city and further enhances its reputation as a leading international centre for art and culture in all its forms. It provides tremendous opportunities to showcase not only the city’s artistic venues but also our home-grown talent alongside outstanding international artists, presenting work that is both innovative and ground-breaking demonstrating just what Manchester is about.”

Manchester International Festival is the world’s first festival of original, new work and special events and takes place biennially in Manchester, UK. The Festival launched in 2007 as an artist-led, commissioning festival presenting new works from across the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture, many of which went on to tour nationally and internationally. Among the 25 world premieres in the 2007 Festival were Monkey: Journey to the West, a new opera directed by Chen Shi Zheng, composed by Damon Albarn and designed by Jamie Hewlett, and Il Tempo del Postino, a group show by 15 of the world’s leading contemporary artists; plus new theatre productions, debates, food inventions by Heston Blumenthal and an international music series featuring Lou Reed, Kanye West, Happy Mondays, PJ Harvey, and Gossip.

Manchester International Festival 09 will run from Thursday 2 – Sunday 19 July 2009.
Tickets are on sale now, at www.mif.co.uk or call 0844 815 4960 No per ticket booking fees (transaction fees apply)