The epic struggle for peace and ultimate triumphant bliss of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is physically embodied by ten world-class circus artists from Circa, Australia’s premier contemporary circus, in the Season Opening Gala of Melbourne Sypmphony Orchestra. This revolutionary world-first staging of Beethoven 9 is performed alongside a world premiere by revered Australian composer Deborah Cheetham. Her work “Dutalla, star filled sky” has been created in response to Beethoven’s Ninth.
MSO: Kate Mille-Heidke and the MSO
A recording of a very special one-night-only event, Australian theatre and music sensation Kate Miller-Heidke joins the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, performing songs from her award-winning opera The Rabbits and popular hits featured on her new album ‘The Best of Kate Miller-Heidke: Act One’. Kate Miller-Heidke is a classically trained singer who traverses the worlds of contemporary pop, folk and opera. This is her first collaboration with the MSO. When the singer-songwriter combines her own material with a symphonic sound, you’re in for a special thrill! Featuring extraordinary visuals by Australian artist and film maker Amy Gebhardt, guitar accompaniment by Keir Nuttall and conducted by MSO’s Associate Conductor Benjamin Northey.
MSO: Eumeralla – A War Requiem for Peace
Eumeralla, a war requiem for peace brings into focus a period of Australia’s history that is yet to be fully understood. Written and composed by acclaimed Yorta Yorta soprano and composer Deborah Cheetham, this requiem for peace will be sung entirely in the ancient dialects of the Gunditjmara people. Benjamin Northey is “superbly conducting” the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, receiving “well-deserved and spontaneous standing ovations” (Limelight Magazine). Above all, this performance is a sign of willingness to continue on the path of reconciliation, in which Eumeralla represents a significant step.
MSO: Russian Night with Maxim Vengerov
The world-renowned violinist Maxim Vengerov joins the MSO to perform the fiendishly difficult Violin Concerto by Tchaikovsky. Full of soaring melodies, melancholy and virtuosity, this work has rightfully claimed its place amongst the great violin concertos of all time. Scheherazade tells the story of a slave girl having to amuse the gruesome sultan by telling him a new story every night. Several of these come together in Rimsky-Korsakov’s colourful oriental fantasy; a highlight in the Russian orchestral repertoire and the ideal work for an ensemble of virtuosos like the MSO. Allow the MSO to transport you into the world of a thousand-and-one nights.