Hallé Orchestra 150th Anniversary

Sir Charles Hallé (1819 - 1895), German-born conductor and pianist who established and led the Hallé Orchestra Photograph: Walery/Getty

Hamilton Harty, principal conductor from 1920 to 1934, with the orchestra Photograph: Hallé Orchestra

Hans Richter (1843-1916), musical director from 1899 to 1911 Photograph: Hallé Orchestra

1953: John Barbirolli (1899 - 1970) conducting Photograph: Bert Hardy /Getty

1953: A saxophonist playing with the orchestra Photograph: Bert Hardy/Getty

1953: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958) discussing his work with Roy Douglas while the Hallé Orchestra rehearse Sinfonia Antarctica Photograph: Bert Hardy/Getty

A violinist seated next to the horn section in rehearsal Photograph: Bert Hardy/Getty

1999: Members of the orchestra take to the stage for their final concert at Free Trade Hall Photograph: Christopher Thomond/Guardian

1998: Rehearsing with conductor Kent Nagano Photograph: Don McPhee/Guardian

2005: Clarinetist Michael Collins rehearsing the world premiere of Riffs and Refrains by Mark-Anthony Turnage at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall Photograph: Don McPhee/Guardian

2008: Mark Elder conducting the Hallé Orchestra in rehearsals ahead of the 150th anniversary concert Photograph: Christopher Thomond/Guardian