1–3 FEBRUARY 2018
CONCERT PROGRAM
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Presentation licensed by
Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox present Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
ARTISTS Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Benjamin Northey conductor John Williams composer
Mark Hamill Harrison Ford Carrie Fisher Peter Cushing Alec Guinness Anthony Daniels Music by John Williams Cinematography Dan Mindel Produced and directed by George Lucas
The MSO acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are performing. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Elders from other communities who may be in attendance. The MSO’s performances of Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert are proudly supported by our Major Partner, CVP.
Star Wars — Film Concert Series is produced under license by Disney Concerts in association with 20th Century Fox and Warner/Chappell Music. STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. ©2017 & TM LUCASFILM LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©Disney.
MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Established in 1906, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is an arts leader and Australia’s longeststanding professional orchestra. Chief Conductor, Sir Andrew Davis, has been at the helm of the MSO since 2013. Engaging more than 2.5 million people each year, and as a truly global orchestra, the MSO collaborates with guest artists and arts organisations from across the world. The MSO performs a variety of concerts ranging from core classical performances at its home, Hamer Hall at Arts Centre Melbourne, to its annual free concerts at Melbourne’s largest outdoor venue, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The MSO also delivers innovative and engaging programs to audiences of all ages through its Education and Outreach initiatives.
In consideration of your fellow patrons, the MSO thanks you for dimming the lighting on your mobile phone.
BENJAMIN NORTHEY CONDUCTOR
JOHN WILLIAMS COMPOSER
Benjamin Northey is Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Associate Conductor of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
In a career spanning more than five decades, John Williams is one of America’s most accomplished and successful composers for film and for the concert stage.
Northey appears regularly as guest conductor with all major Australian symphony orchestras, Opera Australia (Turandot, L’elisir d’amore, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, Carmen), New Zealand Opera (Sweeney Todd) and State Opera South Australia (La sonnambula, Les contes d’Hoffmann). His international appearances include concerts with London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg.
He has composed the music and served as music director for more than 100 films, including all eight Star Wars films, the first three Harry Potter films, Superman, JFK, Born on the Fourth of July, Memoirs of a Geisha and Home Alone.
An Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, his awards include the 2010 Melbourne Prize Outstanding Musician’s Award and multiple awards for his numerous recordings with ABC Classics.
He has composed numerous works for the concert stage including two symphonies, and concertos commissioned by many of America’s most prominent orchestras. In 2016 he received the 44th Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute – the first time a composer was honored with this award.
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HOLST’S THE PLANETS
27 – 28 APRIL The Coopers, Malthouse Theatre The MSO invites you to explore the fantastical imagination and sardonic world of the irrepressible Roald Dahl, in this gloriumptiously irreverent and magical concert. Starring Elise McCann (2016 Helpmann Awardwinner as Miss Honey in Matilda the Musical) and an astonishingly playful orchestra, you’ll hear music from Dahl’s favourite stories including Matilda, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach.
30 AUGUST 1 SEPTEMBER Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall 31 AUGUST Costa Hall, Geelong One of John Williams’ inspirations for Star Wars was Gustav Holst’s masterpiece, The Planets. See MSO Chief Conductor, Sir Andrew Davis lead the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra through this astrological work for the first time in Australia, creating a marvellous experience for first time or established concert goers. An astronomical evening awaits!
(03) 9929 9600 mso.com.au
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN™ IN CONCERT 9 – 10 NOVEMBER Plenary, MCEC Get ready to encounter a Dementor™, ride the Knight Bus™ and discover just who Sirius Black™ really is. Relive the magic of your favourite wizard in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ — in Concert. Based on the third instalment of J.K. Rowling’s classic saga, fans can now experience the thrilling tale accompanied by the music of a live symphony orchestra as Harry soars across the big screen. HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. J.K. ROWLING’S WIZARDING WORLD ™ J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s17)