2020 Artistic Family

XIAN ZHANG

Principal Guest Conductor Following her successful MSO debut in 2018 conducting Dvořák’s Symphony No.9, Xian Zhang was appointed as the MSO Principal Guest Conductor in 2020. Sought-after across the globe, Xian Zhang was the first female conductor to hold a titled role with a BBC Orchestra, and is currently the Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

BENJAMIN NORTHEY

Principal Conductor in Residence Benjamin Northey has a progressive and diverse approach to repertoire, having collaborated with some of the world’s biggest artists, including Piers Lane, Amy Dickson, Tori Amos and James Morrison. He is the Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. In 2020 during lockdown, Benjamin hosted the hugely popular, Up Late with Ben Northey, where he interviewed MSO musicians and guest artists, providing audiences with an entertaining insight to the people behind the music.

NICHOLAS BOCHNER

Cybec Assistant Conductor for Learning and Engagement Supported by The Cybec Foundation Nicholas joined the MSO as Assistant Principal Cello and since then has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician and recitalist. In 2016, Nicholas undertook a fellowship at the Australian National Academy of Music where he developed, conducted and presented educational concerts for primary school children. Nicholas has been studying conducting with Benjamin Northey and won a coveted place at the TSO’s 2019 Australian Conducting Academy.

DEBORAH CHEETHAM AO

Composer in Residence A leader in the Australian arts landscape for more than 25 years, Deborah is a Yorta Yorta woman, soprano, playwright, composer, and educator. She established the Short Black Opera Company, which is devoted to the discovery and development of Indigenous opera singers. In 2020 with the MSO, Deborah premiered Dutala – Star Filled Sky, Gulaga, and an excerpt from Nanyubak (premiering with the MSO in 2021). Her Long Time Living Here musical Acknowledgement of Country was performed at the beginning of each major performance in 2020.

JORDAN MOORE

Cybec Young Composer in Residence Supported by The Cybec Foundation Jordan started a specialist degree in music composition at the University of Western Australia in 2013. He later commenced his honours with the UWA Conservatorium of Music and in 2019 was part of the MSO’s Cybec 21st Century Australian Composers Showcase when he premiered his work, Pandaemonium. The success of this composition saw Jordan become the Cybec Young Composer in Residence in 2020 where his work, A Call to Adventure had its world premiere at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl to an audience of more than 5,000 people.

Ensemble in Residence Independent group, the Melbourne Ensemble comprises of seven musicians from the MSO — Freya Franzen (violin), Chris Cartlidge (viola), Rachael Tobin (cello), Stephen Newton (double bass), Saul Lewis (French horn), Jack Schiller (bassoon) and Phil Arkinstall (clarinet). In 2020, among other engagements, the Melbourne Ensemble performed Beethoven’s Septep in E Flat, Op.20, a performance which saw more than 12,800 views from people around the world.

WARREN TREVELYAN-JONES

Chorus Master Regarded as one of the leading choral conductors and choir trainers in Australia, Warren was appointed Chorus Master of the MSO in September 2017. Warren has had an extensive singing career as a soloist and ensemble singer in Europe, including nine years in the Choir of Westminster Abbey. He has appeared on more than 60 CD recordings, numerous television, and radio broadcasts, and in many of the worlds’ leading music festivals and concert halls.

SIR ANDREW DAVIS CBE

Conductor Laureate After seven years at the MSO as Chief Conductor, GRAMMY® Award nominated Sir Andrew Davis took up his role as Conductor Laureate in 2020. Maestro Davis’ career spans more than forty years during which he has been the musical and artistic leader at several of the world’s most distinguished opera and symphonic institutions, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He also holds the honorary title of conductor emeritus from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

TAN DUN

Artistic Ambassador Maestro Tan’s connection with the MSO began in 2013 with a performance of Martial Arts Trilogy, and he has been closely associated with the MSO’s annual Chinese New Year concert since then. The appointment to Artistic Ambassador acknowledges the connection between Maestro Tan and the MSO, and celebrates his extraordinary contribution to classical music. Seamlessly weaving together Eastern and Western classical traditions, Maestro Tan is one of the truly compelling musical forces of this era.

LU SIQING

Artistic Ambassador In-demand concert violinist Lu Siqing burst onto the international music stage when he became the first Asian violinist to capture the prestigious Paganini International Violin Competition in Italy in 1987. Recognised as one of the most outstanding Chinese violinists, Siqing has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, and in more than forty countries and territories worldwide.

HIROYUKI IWAKI AO†

Conductor Laureate As the MSO’s longest serving conductor, Maestro Iwaki’s time in the role lasted for more than 20 years. He began his post as Chief Conductor in 1974, and in 1990 was appointed as the MSO’s first Conductor Laureate, honouring his contribution to the Orchestra’s development and international touring. His dedication and on stage energy earned him many accolades including the renaming of the ABC Southbank studio to the Iwaki Auditorium in 1995. In 1996, to mark his contribution to Australia–Japan relations, he was promoted to an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, an office he held until his death in 2006.