A CELEBRATION OF OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
WITH THE MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PROGRAM
7 & 9 MARCH 2024
ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE, HAMER HALL
Go out with new friends to one of our dining rooms, or have a big night out on the town. Then spend the next morning in your luxurious Ryman apartment, knowing it’s nothing but you and 1000 thread count
in support of the Olivia Newton-
life and music. brings together the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jessica Gethin, our wonderful cast which includes David Campbell, Jess Hitchcock, Georgina Hopson, Christie Whelan Browne and our host Tottie Goldmsith, Olivia’s niece and Ambassador for the Olivia NewtonJohn Cancer & Wellness Centre.
A donation from these concerts, along with your generous support will benefit the Centre.
Whether you are excited to revisit her iconic hits from films such as Xanadu
her chart-topping and award-winning songs that solidified her as one of the best-selling music artists of all time, one thing is for sure…her music has been the soundtrack to our lives and tonight will live on.
Sit back, or stand and dance, as we offer you a musical tribute to the talent of this extraordinary artist, advocate and activist.
Hopelessly Devoted MSO Icon Series presented by Ryman Healthcare.
Thank you for joining us.
Mark Sutcliffe Creative Director & Executive Producer
A CELEBRATION OF OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA conductor
TOTTIE GOLDSMITH creative director
DAVID CAMPBELL JESS HITCHCOCK
GEORGINA HOPSON CHRISTIE WHELAN BROWNE
GRANT WINDSOR TROY DOWNWARD
CRAIG NEWMAN KIERAN RAFFERTY
World Premiere with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Thursday 7 March 2024
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall is a Make My Mark Production.
HOPELESSLY DEVOTED
Creative Director
Mark Sutcliffe
Lighting Designer
Peter Rubie
Audio Engineer
Brett Galvin, Arts Centre Melbourne Monitor Engineer
Norwest
Hair & Make Up Artists
Otis Fantauzzo
Jordan Hallewell
Eliza Clark
Select Wardrobe
Linda Britten
Penny Sanderson and the team at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Nicholas Buc, Melanie Hiluta, Michael Caprio, Donna Grecco, Michelle Day, Steve Anderson, Jeremy Sharp, Siân Darling, Daisy Hicks, Stephanie Adams, Monica Keightley, Scott Petriche and Mindy Coppin.
: 2 hours and 30 minutes including 20 min interval
Hopelessly Devoted by MSO Premier Partner Ryman Healthcare.
Oliviature
Dare to Dream
Cast
Written by Paul Begaud, Vanessa Corish & Wayne Tester
Banks of the Ohio
Jess Hitchcock
Traditional. Original song arranged by Bruce Welch & John Farrar
Please Mr. Please
Georgina Hopson
Written by Bruce Welch & John Rostill
Let Me Be There/If You Love Me
Let Me Know
Tottie Goldsmith and David Campbell
Written by John Rostill
I Will Be Right Here
Jess Hitchcock and David Campbell
Written by Diane Warren
David Campbell
Written by Peter Allen & Jeff Barry
Magic
Christie Whelan Browne
Written by John Farrar
Suddenly
Christie Whelan Browne and David Campbell
Written by John Farrar
Suspended in Time
Jess Hitchcock
Written by John Farrar
Make a Move on Me
Georgina Hopson
Written by John Farrar & Tom Snow
Physical
Christie Whelan Browne
Written by Steve Kipner & Terry Shaddick
INTERVAL
David Campbell
Written by Eric Carmen
Love is a Gift
Georgina Hopson and David Campbell
Written by Olivia Newton-John, Victoria Shaw & Earl Rose
Sam Jess Hitchcock
Written by John Farrar, Hank Marvin & Don Black
Christie Whelan Browne
Written by John Farrar
Totally Hot
Georgina Hopson
Written by John Farrar
Cast
Written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert & John Denver
Soul Kiss
Jess Hitchcock
Written by Mark Goldenberg
Heart Attack
Christie Whelan Browne
Written by Paul Bliss & Steve Kipner
The Rumour
David Campbell
Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Hopelessly Devoted
Georgina Hopson
Written by John Farrar
All arrangements by Nicholas Buc. Hopelessly Devoted to You – original arrangement by Steve Anderson.
“Music connects us all. Each song a gift. Each performance unique. I embrace these moments with love and g ratitude.”
– Olivia Newton-John, AC DBE
Photo credit: Michelle Day
It’s fitting that Olivia Newton-John’s remarkable catalogue is being celebrated by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. She might have been born in the UK, but Melbourne was Olivia’s home.
“She is Melbourne,” her niece Tottie Goldsmith says simply.
Asked in 2007 who was the best artist to have come out of Melbourne, music mogul Michael Gudinski said: “As far as the most impact internationally, you’d have to say Olivia Newton-John.”
The ONJ story really starts in 1954 when Olivia was five and her family moved to Melbourne. At South Yarra’s Christ Church Grammar primary school, Daryl Braithwaite was her first crush. “I used to pass notes to him, he was so cute,” Olivia later revealed.
While at University High in Parkville, Olivia’s singing career took off. In 1964, she won the Sitmar Talent Quest on Johnny O’Keefe’s TV show Sing Sing Sing. She sang Everything’s Coming Up Roses and the prize was a trip to England.
A debate raged in Melbourne’s papers: School or Stardom? Should Olivia finish her schooling or pursue a career in entertainment? Olivia chose showbiz. “The decision was made easier by my teacher, who said, ‘You’re not working at school, so you may as well go.’”
Olivia’s producer and main songwriter,
In 1966, as the Sing Sing Sing prize was about to expire, Olivia’s mother convinced her to go to the UK. “I really wanted to stay in Australia, but my mum said I should broaden my horizons.”
In the UK, Olivia forged an enduring friendship with Cliff Richard, becoming a regular on his TV show. She was also part of a manufactured group called Toomorrow, put together by The Monkees’ music supervisor Don Kirshner. Olivia starred in the Toomorrow
dying aliens who kidnap Toomorrow because the group’s “vibrations” are needed for their race to survive. “It was a disaster,” Olivia recalled.
In 1974, Olivia represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, singing Long Live Love group from Sweden named ABBA won, singing
“Doing the Eurovision Song Contest pushed me to go to America,” Olivia later explained. “I remember Helen Reddy was working in Florida and I went to see her. She said, ‘Look, if you have a success in America and you really want to make it here, you have to be available, you have to be here.’”
Olivia moved to Los Angeles, where she scored her first US number one I Honestly Love You written by another Aussie, Peter Allen. Paul Hogan dubbed Olivia’s house “the headquarters of the Gumleaf Mafia” – the gang of Aussies who were making their way in LA in the ’70s and ’80s. “Livvy is the best ambassador for Australia,” Hoges said.
Olivia requested a screen test with John Travolta. “I wanted to see if I could do it. John and I hit it off, so I said yes.”
Olivia’s biggest fans, calling her “the
Olivia would later reflect: “What I found with the things I was most afraid of were often the things that were the most worthwhile.”
Olivia’s biggest-selling single, 1981’s , was co-written by another Aussie, Steve Kipner. “I knew it was a commercial song, kind of naughty,” Olivia said. “Well, for its time it was kind of naughty, but now it’s very tame.”
After recording the song, Olivia “freaked out”. She called her manager
Trying to play down the song’s
Olivia had five American chart-toppers: I Honestly Love You Never Been Mellow One That I Want 1978),
No Australian woman has had more number one singles in the US.
Olivia was also the first Australian woman to have a #1 album in the US (1974’s
And she’s the only Australian woman to have had more than one chart-topping album in America.
And Olivia was the first Australian to win a Grammy for Record of the Year I Honestly Love You four Grammys she received – no Aussie act has won more.
The remarkable facts and chart stats are one thing; Olivia Newton-John’s true legacy is her humanity. Her music changed lives; her work is continuing to save lives.
The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre opened in Melbourne in 2012. Tottie – who Olivia called “Plonker” – helped her aunt
into a positive. She wanted people to
My heart sank. I immediately feared that Olivia didn’t like the script, and the radio special was going to be a disaster. “You hate the script, don’t you?” I remarked.
“No,” she replied. “It’s great. But would you mind if we changed these two words – I wouldn’t use them in everyday conversation.”
That was it. Olivia Newton-John –the biggest star of my childhood – was apologising for wanting to change words in a hurriedly written script that she was voicing. Her professionalism and respect for an anonymous scriptwriter told me everything I needed to know.
For that special, we also spoke to many of the stars who appeared alongside Olivia on the album. Tina Arena said: “Olivia is such a genuine and honest performer. I love that sincerity about her. She’s just a great human being.”
“Nah, it’s all right,” Olivia replied. “We’re fine.”
Charles has worked with some of the world’s biggest stars; only one has given him a gift to thank him for his work. After finishing the Olivia sent him a travel kit containing a neck pillow and eye mask.
The gift arrived at Charles’ house with a handwritten note:
“Thank you so much. You’re a very talented man. I loved the experience –Olivia.”
“I think she just had this purity of soul, purity of spirit,” Tottie says. “Everything she did was about trying to leave the Earth a better place.
“Outside of her talent and that gorgeous, angelic voice, she just exuded this incredible warmth and joy and positivity and love.”
Though she travelled the world, sold more than 100 million records, and starred in one of the biggest movies of all time, Olivia somehow managed to remain The Girl Next Door. Grateful and graceful. Genuine and unaffected. One of us.
Yep, she will always be “Our Livvy”. We remain Hopelessly Devoted.
– Jeff Jenkins
Melbourne music journalist Jeff Jenkins is the author of several books, including Rock in Australia
The Skyhooks Story
Ian “Molly” Meldrum’s memoirs, Um, Ever Ending Story Perfect
With your help, we can keep providing life-changing support through evidence-based wellness therapies at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness Centre.
www.onjcancercentre.org
In the first project of its kind in Australia, the MSO has developed a musical Acknowledgment of Country with music composed by Yorta Yorta composer Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO, featuring Indigenous languages from across Victoria. Generously supported by Helen Macpherson Smith Trust and the Commonwealth Government through the Australian National Commission for UNESCO, the MSO is working in partnership with Short Black Opera and Indigenous language custodians who are generously sharing their cultural knowledge.
The Acknowledgement of Country allows us to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land on which we perform in the language of that country and in the orchestral language of music.
In all the world, only Australia can lay claim to the longest continuing cultures and we celebrate this more today than in any other time since our shared history began. We live each day drawing energy from a land which has been nurtured by the traditional owners for more than 2000 generations. When we acknowledge country we pay respect to the land and to the people in equal measure.
As a composer I have specialised in coupling the beauty and diversity of our Indigenous languages with the power and intensity of classical music. In order to compose the music for this Acknowledgement of Country Project I have had the great privilege of working with no fewer than eleven ancient languages from the state of Victoria, including the language of my late Grandmother, Yorta Yorta woman Frances McGee. I pay my deepest respects to the elders and ancestors who are represented in these songs of acknowledgement and to the language custodians who have shared their knowledge and expertise in providing each text.
I am so proud of the MSO for initiating this landmark project and grateful that they afforded me the opportunity to make this contribution to the ongoing quest of understanding our belonging in this land.
— Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO
Committed to shaping and serving the state it inhabits, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is Australia’s preeminent orchestra and a cornerstone of Victoria’s rich, cultural heritage.
Each year, the MSO and MSO Chorus present more than 180 public events across live performances, TV, radio and online broadcasts, and via its online concert hall, MSO.LIVE, engaging an audience of more than five million people in 56 countries.
In 2024 the organisation will release its first two albums on the newly established MSO recording label.
With an international reputation for excellence, versatility and innovation, the MSO works with culturally diverse
and First Nations artists to build community and deliver music to people across Melbourne, the state of Victoria and around the world.
In 2024, Jaime Martín leads the Orchestra for his third year as MSO Chief Conductor. Maestro Martín leads an Artistic Family that includes Principal Conductor in Residence Benjamin Northey, Cybec Assistant Conductor Leonard Weiss, MSO Chorus Director Warren Trevelyan-Jones, Composer in Residence Katy Abbott, Artist in Residence Erin Helyard, MSO First Nations Creative Chair Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO, Young Cybec Young Composer in Residence Naomi Dodd, and Artist in Association Christian Li.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra respectfully acknowledges the people of the Eastern Kulin Nations, on whose un-ceded lands we honour the continuation of the oldest music practice in the world.
Award winning conductor Jessica Gethin has gained widespread attention for her stellar musicianship and vibrant energy, reviewers citing her performances as ‘… refined, charismatic and exhilarating’. Gliding seamlessly between core symphonic repertoire to ballet, opera, film and contemporary genres, Jessica’s international roster includes engagements throughout the USA, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, with collaborations including the Dallas Opera, Opera Queensland, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Perth Symphony, Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonic and Macao Orchestra as well as The Australian Ballet and regular seasons with the West Australian Ballet.
Accolades include Limelight Australia’s Top 20 Australian Artists for 2017, winning the Brian Stacey Emerging Australian Conductor Award, listed in Australian Financial Review’s 100 Most Influential Women, recipient of a Churchill Fellowship for Performance Excellence in Music, named as inaugural fellow at the Hart Institute of Women Conductors Fellowship with Dallas Opera and being named a finalist in the West Australian of the Year Awards (Arts and Culture).
Jessica was recently appointed as Principal Conductor of WA Ballet and Head of Orchestral Studies and Conducting at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, contributing to her rapidly growing profile as a leader in the arts both on and off the podium.
Born in the sixties to the doyen of the Australian nightclub industry Brian Goldsmith and model, actress Rona Newton-John, Tottie, one of eight children, has had an eclectic career spanning music, film, television radio and theatre. Tottie became one of the country’s best known and memorable entertainment personalities.
In 1986 Tottie was one of the founding members of girl group The Chantoozies, whose first hit single Witch Queen reached gold & platinum status in Australia.
In the 90s Tottie’s television, radio and hosting blossomed and was known as the ‘it girl’ after hosting Ten’s controversial and ground-breaking Sex/Life series. She then finished the year wining the ratings on TTFM’s breakfast radio program in Melbourne.
Her TV & Film credits include everything from The Young Doctors, Neighbours and Secret Life of Us to Underbelly’s Infiltration.
Her stage career yielded such successes as Grease – The Arena Spectacular, Janet in The New Rocky Horror Show and a national tour of Don’t Dress for Dinner with Dennis Waterman and Jon English. She stared opposite Samuel Johnson in the national tour of Sex with Strangers amongst other successful theatre runs.
In 2019 Tottie was recognised for her 15 years of commitment by being awarded Goodwill Ambassador in her aunt Olivia Newton-John’s Cancer and Wellness Centre and in 2020 was awarded an OAM for her contribution to charity and the performing arts.
Mark Sutcliffe has spent over 25 years working in the entertainment and performing arts industry and in that time has worked on some of the biggest cultural events in Australia.
Organisations include Sydney 2000 Olympic Arts Festival, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Michael Cassel Group, Opera Australia, Live Nation, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Festival, National Gallery of Australia, Powerhouse Museum, Global Creatures and the Almeida Theatre in London.
Events have ranged from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo to the Paris Opera Ballet, Sydney Festival to Picasso, Vienna Philharmonic to Strictly Ballroom –The Musical.
Through his company Make My Mark he has produced and created To Barbra, With Love, Hopelessly Devoted, What the World Needs Now and co-created George Michael: Freedom! and David Bowie: Nothing Has Changed (with Amanda Pelman) – all celebrating icons in music.
As well as honouring Olivia Newton-John, Mark dedicates these performances to his mother Bernice Sutcliffe, who passed away in 2023.
Nicholas Buc is an Award-winning composer, conductor and arranger. He has composed music for film, television and the concert hall, with some of his work being screened at festivals and theatres around Australia, Asia and the US. As the recipient of the prestigious Brian May Scholarship, he completed a Master’s degree in Scoring for Film and Multimedia at New York University, receiving the Elmer Bernstein Award for Film Scoring.
He recently completed work on the new Australian feature film Slant, starring Sigrid Thornton and Pia Miranda, which won Best Australian Feature at Monster Fest 2022. He also scored the Ukrainian documentary Slava, which won Best Short Film at Byron All Shorts Flickerfest 2023.
He has worked with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, Chris Botti, Ben Folds and Australian pop sensation Tina Arena. He has written arrangements for Birds of Tokyo, Missy Higgins and Vera Blue as well as working on Junior MasterChef, The Voice Australia and the 2021 AFL Grand Final.
With a passion for live film concerts, he has conducted the world premieres of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Lion King (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2017), Shrek 2 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
David Campbell OAM is one of Australia’s most popular and versatile entertainers. A proven television and radio host, he also headlines theatre, cabaret and concert performances, as well as being an ARIA winning, Helpmann Award winning, multiplatinum recording artist and author.
David is the popular co-host of the national Today Extra show for the Nine Network, as well as the beloved annual Christmas Eve broadcast of Carols by Candlelight. For radio, David presents his own top rating, national weekend afternoon radio show on Smooth FM and in print, David is a regular featured columnist in Stellar, News Corp’s popular Sunday magazine.
David is one of our leading musical theatre stars and has achieved similar success on the international stage, most notably captivating New York with his award-winning cabaret show. His production credits include North By Northwest, Dream Lover — The Bobby Darin Musical, Les Misérables, Company, Shout!, Assassins and more.
David has previously performed with the Sydney Symphony and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras in concerts celebrating George Michael and is happy to be honouring Olivia Newton-John in this production.
Jess Hitchcock is an Indigenous singersongwriter who has stirred the Australian music and performing arts scene as a genre-defying force. Her powerful voice and knack for storytelling has seen her shine across pop, country, folk, opera and music theatre, sharing the stage and studio with some of Australia’s favourites.
One of Jess’s most notable collaborations is with legendary Australian singersongwriter, Paul Kelly. Together they performed and recorded Paul’s song Everyday My Mother’s Voice earning standing ovations across the nation. Jess has also collaborated with Archie Roach, Tina Arena and Kate Miller-Heidke.
Jess’s original material is equal parts dramatic as it is playful, always showcasing her vocal prowess. Her
much anticipated album Unbreakable was released mid 2023 and reached #4 in the AIR charts. The first single I Don’t Have the Heart was described by The Music as “an arena sized pop ballad”.
When Jess is not on stage with her own band or joining forces with Australian music legends, she lends her mezzosoprano vocals to select performing arts companies. Most recently, Jess starred in West Australian Opera’s Wundig wer Wilura, in Noongar language.
Born with heritage from the Torres Strait Islands and Papua New Guinea, Jess’s artistic diversity and adroitness are seldom seen in someone as young as her. The way she navigates her creative path is a rare find and nothing short of inspirational.
Originally hailing from Toowoomba, Georgina is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.
Selected Theatre Credits include: Karen in Bananaland (Brisbane & Sydney Festival), Christine Daaé in Opera Australia’s Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour, The Golden Age of Broadway for the Sydney Opera House’s 50th birthday celebrations, To Barbara with Love at the State Theatre, Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Hayes Theatre Co.), Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain (QPAC), MJ Alternate in Jagged Little Pill (GWB), Emma Carew in Jekyll & Hyde (Hayes Theatre Co.), Gussie Carnegie in Merrily We Roll Along (Hayes Theatre Co.), Lily in The Secret Garden (Opera Australia, cancelled due to COVID-19), Claudia Nardi in Nine (Squabbalogic), Mother in Ragtime (Production Company), Evita (Opera Australia/Gordon Frost Organisation),
My Fair Lady (Opera Australia/Gordon Frost Organisation), West Side Story (Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour), Oklahoma! (The Production Company).
Awards & Nominations: Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Performance in a Supporting Role – Merrily We Roll Along, 2022; Green Room Award for Best Performer in a Lead Role – Ragtime, 2020; Rob Guest Endowment Award, 2017; the Matilda Award for Best Emerging Artist, 2015.
Georgina played Wendy Hogan in the TV miniseries Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story (Fremantle Media), and has appeared in Doctor Doctor Season 5 (Easy Tiger) and in Bump Season 2 (Roadshow Rough Diamond).
Georgina has been a proud MEAA Equity member since 2017.
Instagram @georginahopson
Christie Whelan Browne is one of Australia’s most versatile stage and screen performers.
An award-winning actress she has delighted musical theatre audiences in shows such as Company (Sydney Theatre Award for Best Newcomer), Vigil (Green Room Award Winner), The Boyfriend, Once We Lived Here (Green Room Award Nomination), Sugar (Green Room Award Nomination), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Green Room Award Nomination), Shane Warne The Musical, Singin’ In The Rain (Green Room Award Nomination), The
Drowsy Chaperone (Helpmann Award Nomination), Jerry’s Girls, Anything Goes, Xanadu and The Producers.
On the silver screen, Christie has been seen in Wonderland, Offspring, Peter Allen – Not The Boy Next Door, House Husbands, True Story with Hamish and Andy, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Get Krack!n and The Wrong Girl.
Recently, Christie was a finalist on Network Seven’s Dancing With The Stars, was a regular cast member on Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell, and featured on Binge’s hit series Colin From Accounts.
Grant Windsor is a musician of international reputation. Based in London for 11 years, he
Based in Melbourne, Troy, is fast establishing himself as a guitarist of high calibre. His experience covers a broad range of styles from jazz improvisation to rock. He is highly in demand for his ability to accompany artists and is currently working as Music Director for Tarryn Stokes (The Voice), as
has worked alongside international artists such as Michael Bublé, Bilal, Kamaal Williams, Gregory Porter, Carol King, Sir Tim Rice, Pee Wee Ellis, Jose James and Basement Jaxx, and with Australian artists such as Pete Murray, Guy Sebastian, Christine Anu and Kate Ceberano
Grant Windsor recorded on Blue Note records with Jose James in 2014 on No
well as working with the legendary Russell Morris, enjoying great success –with sell out symphonic shows across the country, live broadcasts, and an album release reaching number 1 on the ARIA charts. He has also received 15 million streams with newly found indie band Tekoa.
As a sideman he is considered a first call musician with credits including Tina Arena, Daryl Braithwaite, Katie Noonan, John Barrowman, The Book of Mormon, Tim Rogers, Danni Minogue, Kate Ceberano, Paul Grabowsky, Moulin
Beginning, No End which received two downbeat awards. In 2001 Grant received the inaugural APRA Professional Development award for Jazz Composition. Currently working at both the VCA and Monash universities and is an APRA – AMCOS Ambassador.
Rouge!, &Juliet, The Boy From Oz and Beautiful. Being versatile as a musician has seen Troy perform with various orchestras around the country including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, John Foreman’s Pops Orchestra, The Helpmann Awards, and renowned conductors such as Benjamin Northey, Nicholas Buc, John Foreman, and Vanessa Scammell. Troy is equally comfortable as a recording artist, continuing to refine his recording and production technique, having worked at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London in 2023.
Craig began musical studies of the age of 12 when he began playing trumpet. At 16, he had developed a keen interest in bass guitar. Craig has toured and worked extensively with many artists, including Kylie Minogue, Eric Burden, Judith Durham, The Seekers, Thelma Houston, David Hobson, Glenn Shorrock, Olivia
Newton-John, Anthony Warlow, Tom Jones, Elvis in concert – 2017 Australian tour, George Michael: Listen to your Heart – Australian Tour with Grammy winning L.A. guitarist – Larry Carlton.
TV bands include, Young Talent Time, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Logies, Carols By Candlelight, Dancing With Dancing With Stars to name a few.
Craig’s musical theatre credits include Sweet Charity, Dancing Man, The Fully Monty Dirty Dancing, King Kong, Jesus Christ Superstar, Lazarus, Moulin Rouge, Beautiful, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,
Come From Away, Miss Saigon and many more.
Craig has been a permanent member of the John Farnham band touring and recording since 2001.
Current projects for 2023 include the third run of Rolling thunder Vietnam, Dirty Dancing Concert tour and the sell out Russell Morris Symphonic tour and double live album.
Early 2024 saw Craig working as bassist and Musical Director for the Melbourne season direct from the UK of “The Choir Of Man” which ran for a six week season at the Art Centre, until mid February.
Kieran Rafferty studied a Bachelor of Music at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music at Monash University under the instruction of Tony Floyd and Dave Beck, and in 2013 competed and took first prize in the open category of Australia’s Best Up And Coming Drummer Competition. He instantly received endorsements from four
international companies, as well as the opportunity to perform at the 2015 Australia’s Ultimate Drummers Weekend. He was also featured in issue 80 of the renowned Drumscene magazine. He performs regularly at a range of different venues across the country from jazz clubs, pubs, concert halls (including Sydney Opera House) and stadiums (where he played to 85,000 people for Dreamtime at the G), and has performed as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues, Sydney Festival and Adelaide Festival.
You’re the One That I Want
Christie Whelan Browne and David Campbell
Written by John Farrar Xanadu Cast Written by Jeff LynneKieran’s recent career has seen him performing with the alternative rock band Rival Fire at Rod Laver Arena to support US rock band Kiss on their 2022 world tour; playing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as part of their Performance of a Lifetime concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl; and playing on hit shows such as Hamilton, Moulin Rouge, and The Who’s Tommy.
In 2023, Kieran travelled across the country playing over 200 performances for the Rocky Horror Show’s 50th Anniversary Australian tour, starring Jason Donovan and Myf Warhurst.
Peter Edwards
Assistant Principal
Margaret Billson and the late Ted Billson#
Sarah Curro
Dr Harry Imber#
Kirstin Kenny
Mark Mogilevski
Michelle Ruffolo
Emily Beauchamp*
Juliette Boirayon*
Oksana Thompson*
Robert Macindoe
Associate Principal
Cong Gu
Newton Family in memory of Rae Rothfield#
Patrick Wong
Roger Young
Shane Buggle and Rosie Callanan#
Jacqueline Edwards*
Andrea Keeble*
Miranda Matheson*
Anthony Chataway
The late Dr Elizabeth E Lewis AM#
Gabrielle Halloran
Jenny Khafagi
Karen Columbine*
Trevor Jones*
Heidi von Bernewitz*
Correct as of 4 March 2024.
Rachael Tobin
Associate Principal
Anonymous#
Michelle Wood
Andrew and Judy Rogers#
Jonathan Chim*
Kalina Krusteva*
Rohan Dasika
Acting Assistant Principal
Suzanne Lee
Caitlin Bass*
Taryn Clarke*
Guest Principal
Emmanuel Cassimatis*
Guest Principal
Philip Arkinstall
Associate Principal
Elise Millman
Associate Principal
Andrew Young
Associate Principal
Abbey Edlin
Nereda Hanlon and Michael Hanlon AM#
Shane Hooton
Associate Principal
Glenn Sedgwick and Dr Anita Willaton#
William Evans
Rosie Turner
John and Diana Frew#
Mark Davidson
Principal
Robert Collins*
Mike Szabo
Principal Bass Trombone
John Arcaro
Tim and Lyn Edward#
Robert Cossom
Drs Rhyl Wade and Clem Gruen#
Robert Allan*
Yinuo Mu Principal
Tim Wilson*
Alto Saxophone
Lachlan Davidson*
Tenor Saxophone
Stuart Byrne*
Baritone Saxophone
* Denotes Guest Musician
^ Denotes MSO Academy
#
Her Excellency Professor, the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria
The Gandel Foundation
The Gross Foundation
Di Jameson OAM and Frank Mercurio
Harold Mitchell Foundation
Lady Primrose Potter AC CMRI
Cybec Foundation
The Pratt Foundation
The Ullmer Family Foundation
Anonymous (1)
Concertmaster Chair
David Li AM and Angela Li
Cybec Assistant
Conductor Chair
Leonard Weiss Cybec Foundation
Assistant Concertmaster
Tair Khisambeev
Di Jameson OAM and Frank Mercurio
Cybec Young Composer in Residence Naomi Dodd
Cybec Foundation
MSO Now & Forever Fund: International Engagement
Gandel Foundation
Cybec 21st Century
Australian Composers Program Cybec Foundation
Digital Transformation
Perpetual Foundation – Alan (AGL) Shaw Endowment
First Nations Emerging Artist Program The Ullmer Family Foundation
East meets West The Li Family Trust, National Foundation for AustraliaChina Relations
Ears Wide Open and Music & Ideas
City of Melbourne, Crown Resorts Foundation and Packer Family Foundation
MSO Live Online Crown Resorts Foundation, Packer Family Foundation
MSO Education
Anonymous
MSO Academy Di Jameson OAM and Frank Mercurio, Mary Armour, Christopher Robinson in memory of Joan P Robinson
MSO For Schools Crown Resorts Foundation, Packer Family Foundation
Jams in Schools
Department of Education, Victoria, through the Strategic Partnerships Program, Marian and E.H. Flack Trust, Flora & Frank Leith Charitable Trust, Hume City Council
MSO Regional Touring Angior Family Foundation, Creative Victoria, Freemasons Foundation
Victoria, Robert Salzer Foundation, The Sir Andrew & Lady Fairley Foundation
Sidney Myer Free Concerts Sidney Myer
MSO Trust Fund and the University of Melbourne, City of Melbourne Event Partnerships Program
The late Marc Besen AC and the late Eva Besen AO
The Gandel Foundation
The Gross Foundation
Di Jameson OAM and Frank Mercurio
David Li AM and Angela Li
Lady Primrose Potter AC CMRI
Anonymous (1)
Dr Harry Imber
Margaret Jackson AC
Packer Family Foundation
Ullmer Family Foundation
Weis Family
Anonymous (1)
The Aranday Foundation
H Bentley
The Hogan Family Foundation
David Krasnostein AM and Pat Stragalinos
Elizabeth Proust AO and Brian Lawrence
Lady Marigold Southey AC
Kim Williams AM
The Yulgilbar Foundation
Anonymous (2)
$10,000+
Christine and Mark Armour
Margaret Billson and the late Ted Billson
Shane Buggle and Rosie Callanan
Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM
Andrew Dudgeon AM
Jaan Enden
Dr Mary-Jane H Gething AO
David R Lloyd
Peter Lovell
Maestro Jaime Martín
Rosemary and the late Douglas Meagher
Farrel and Wendy Meltzer
Nereda Hanlon and Michael
Hanlon AM
Paul Noonan
Opalgate Foundation
Ian and Jeannie Paterson
Christopher Robinson and the late Joan P Robinson
Yashian Schauble
Glenn Sedgwick
The Sun Foundation
Gai and David Taylor
Athalie Williams and Tim Danielson
Lyn Williams AM
The Wingate Group
Anonymous (3)
$5,000+
Mary Armour
John and Lorraine Bates
Barbara Bell
in memory of Elsa Bell
Bodhi Education Fund
Julia and Jim Breen
Jannie Brown
Lynne Burgess
John Coppock OAM and Lyn Coppock
Perri Cutten and Jo Daniell
Ann Darby in memory of Leslie J. Darby
Mary Davidson and the late
Frederick Davidson AM
The Dimmick Charitable Trust
Tim and Lyn Edward
Equity Trustees
Bill Fleming
Dr John and Diana Frew
Sophie Galaise and Clarence Fraser
Carrillo Gantner AC and Ziyin Gantner
Dr Rhyl Wade and Dr Clem Gruen
Cecilie Hall and the late Hon Michael Watt KC
Louis J Hamon OAM
Merv Keehn and Sue Harlow
David Horowicz
Dr Alastair Jackson AM
Suzanne Kirkham
The late Dr Elizabeth Lewis AM
Lucas Family Foundation
Dr Jane Mackenzie
Gary McPherson
The Mercer Family Foundation
Anne Neil in memory of Murray A. Neil
Newton Family in memory of Rae Rothfield
Ken Ong OAM
Bruce Parncutt AO
David Ponsford
Professor Sam Ricketson AM and Dr Rosemary Ayton
Andrew and Judy Rogers
The Rosemary Norman Foundation
Guy Ross
Helen Silver AO and Harrison Young
Brian Snape AM
Dr Michael Soon
Mary Waldron
Janet Whiting AM
Dawna Wright and Peter Riedel
Igor Zambelli
Anonymous (1)
$2,500+
Carolyn Baker
Marlyn Bancroft and Peter Bancroft OAM
Sascha O Becker
Janet H Bell
Alan and Dr Jennifer Breschkin
Patricia Brockman
Nigel and Sheena
Broughton
Dr Lynda Campbell
Oliver Carton
Janet Chauvel and the late Dr Richard Chauvel
Kaye Cleary
Michael Davies and Drina Staples
Leo de Lange
Sophie E Dougall in memory of Libby Harold Barry Fradkin OAM and Dr Pam Fradkin
Kim and Robert Gearon
Janette Gill
R Goldberg and Family Goldschlager Family Charitable Foundation
Colin Golvan AM KC and Dr Deborah Golvan
Jennifer Gorog
C M Gray
Marshall Grosby and Margie Bromilow
Ian Kennedy AM & Dr Sandra Hacker AO
Susan and Gary Hearst
Dr Keith Higgins and Dr Jane Joshi
Hartmut and Ruth Hofmann
Doug Hooley
Gillian Hund OAM and Michael Hund
Geoff and Denise Illing
Paul and Amy Jasper
Sandy Jenkins
John Jones
Ann Lahore
Qian Li
Carolynne Marks
Margaret and John Mason OAM
H E McKenzie
Dr Isabel McLean
Christopher Menz and Peter Rose
Ian Merrylees
Suzie and Edgar Myer
Dr Paul Nisselle AM
Alan and Dorothy Pattison
Ruth and Ralph Renard
Peter and Carolyn Rendit
James Ring
Tom and Elizabeth
Romanowski
Liliane Rusek and Alexander Ushakoff
The Sage Foundation
Jeffrey Sher KC and Diana Sher OAM
Barry Spanger
Steinicke Family
Caroline Stuart
Robert and Diana Wilson
Shirley and Jeffrey Zajac
Anonymous (3)
$1,000+
Dr Sally Adams
Helena Anderson
Margaret Astbury
Robbie Barker
Michael Bowles & Alma Gill
Allen and Kathryn Bloom
Joyce Bown
Youth Music Foundation
Professor Ian Brighthope
Miranda Brockman
Drs John D L Brookes and Lucy V Hanlon
Stuart Brown
Suzie Brown OAM and the late Harvey Brown
Jill and Christopher
Buckley
Dr Robin Burns and Dr
Roger Douglas
Ronald and Kate Burnstein
Peter A Caldwell
Breen Creighton and Elsbeth Hadenfeldt
Mrs Nola Daley
Panch Das and Laurel Young-Das
Caroline Davies
Natasha Davies, for the Trikojus Education Fund
Rick and Sue Deering
John and Anne Duncan
Jane Edmanson OAM
Diane Fisher
Alex Forrest
Grant Fisher and Helen Bird
Chris Freelance
Applebay Pty Ltd
David Frenkiel and Esther Frenkiel OAM
Mary Gaidzkar
Simon Gaites
Anthony Garvey and Estelle O’Callaghan
David I Gibbs AM and Susie O’Neill
Sonia Gilderdale
Dr Celia Godfrey
Dr Marged Goode
Hilary Hall in memory of Wilma Collie
David Hardy
Tilda and the late Brian Haughney
Cathy Henry
Dr Jennifer Henry
Rod Home
Lorraine Hook
Jenny and Peter Hordern
Katherine Horwood
Penelope Hughes
Geoff and Denise Illing
Jordan Janssen
Shyama Jayaswal
Basil and Rita Jenkins
Emma Johnson
Wendy Johnson
Sue Johnston
John Kaufman
Angela Kayser
Drs Bruce and Natalie Kellett
Dr Anne Kennedy
Akira Kikkawa
Dr Judith Kinnear
Dr Richard Knafelc and Mr Grevis Beard
Tim Knaggs
Dr Jerry Koliha and Marlene Krelle
Jane Kunstler
Kerry Landman
Kathleen and Coran Lang
Bryan Lawrence
Lesley McMullin Foundation
Dr Jenny Lewis
Phil Lewis
Dr Kin Liu
Andrew Lockwood
Elizabeth H Loftus
Chris and Anna Long
John MacLeod
Marshall Segan in memory of Berek Segan OBE and Marysia Segan
Ian McDonald
Wayne McDonald and Kay Schroer
Lois McKay
Dr Eric Meadows
Professor Geoffrey Metz
Sylvia Miller
Ian Morrey and Geoffrey Minter
Dr Anthony and Dr Anna Morton
Anthony and Karen Ho
Dr Judith S Nimmo
Laurence O’Keefe and Christopher James
Susan Pelka
Ian Penboss
Peter Priest
John Prokupets
Professor Charles Qin OAM and Kate Ritchie
Eli Raskin
Jan and Keith Richards
Roger Parker and Ruth Parker
Dr Peter Rogers and Cathy Rogers OAM
Dr Ronald and Elizabeth Rosanove
Marie Rowland
Viorica Samson
P Shore
Janet and Alex Starr
Dr Peter Strickland
Dr Joel Symons and Liora Symons
Russell Taylor and Tara Obeyesekere
Geoffrey Thomlinson
Frank Tisher OAM and Dr Miriam Tisher
Andrew and Penny Torok
Christina Turner
Leon and Sandra Velik
Edward & Paddy White
Nic and Ann Willcock
Lorraine Woolley
Dr Kelly and Dr Heathcote Wright
Anonymous (16)
$500+
Jane Allan and Mark Redmond
Mario M Anders
Jenny Anderson
Dr Judith Armstrong and Robyn Dalziel
Doris Au
Lyn Bailey
Mr Robin Batterham
Dr William Birch AM
Richard Bolitho
Dr Robert Brook
Elizabeth Brown
Roger and Coll Buckle
Daniel Bushaway
Jungpin Chen
Linda Clifton
Dr John Collins
Judith Cowden in memory of violinist Margaret Cowden
Gregory Crew
Sue Cummings
Dr Oliver and Matilda Daly
Suzanne Dembo
Carol des Cognets
Margaret Flatman
Brian Florence
M C Friday
David and Geraldine Glenny
Louise Gourlay OAM
Christine Grenda
Dawn Hales
George Hampel AM KC and Felicity Hampel AM SC
John Hill
William Holder
Rod Home
Gillian Horwood
Noelle Howell and Judy Clezy
Rob Jackson
Irene Kearsey & Michael
Ridley
Peter Kempen AM
John Keys
Lesley King
Professor David Knowles and Dr Anne McLachlan
Dr Kim Langfield-Smith
Pauline and David Lawton
Paschalina Leach
Kay Liu
David Loggia
Eleanor & Phillip Mancini
Joy Manners
Morris and Helen Margolis
Sandra Masel in memory of Leigh Masel
Janice Mayfield
Gail McKay
Shirley A McKenzie
Dr Alan Meads and Sandra Boon
Joan Mullumby
Adrian and Louise Nelson
Marian Neumann
Ed Newbigin
Valerie Newman
Amanda O’Brien
Brendan O’Donnell
Jillian Pappas
Phil Parker
Sarah Patterson
The Hon Chris Pearce and Andrea Pearce
Peter Berry and Amanda Quirk
William Ramirez
Geoffrey Ravenscroft
Dr Christopher Rees
Professor John Rickard
Michael Riordan and Geoffrey Bush
Fred and Patricia Russell
Carolyn Sanders
Dr Marc Saunders
Dr Nora Scheinkestel
Julia Schlapp
Hon Jim Short and Jan Rothwell Short
Madeline Soloveychik
Tom Sykes
Allison Taylor
Reverend Angela Thomas
Mely Tjandra
Chris and Helen Trueman
Rosemary Warnock
Amanda Watson
Michael Whishaw
Deborah and Dr Kevin Whithear OAM
Charles and Jill Wright
Anonymous (14)
Jenny Anderson
David Angelovich
G C Bawden and L de Kievit
Lesley Bawden
Joyce Bown
Patricia A Breslin
Mrs Jenny Bruckner and the late Mr John Bruckner
Peter A Caldwell
Luci and Ron Chambers
Beryl Dean
Sandra Dent
Alan Egan JP
Gunta Eglite
Marguerite Garnon-Williams
Drs L C Gruen and R W Wade
Louis J Hamon AOM
Charles Hardman
Carol Hay
Jennifer Henry
Graham Hogarth
Rod Home
Lyndon Horsburgh
Tony Howe
Lindsay and Michael Jacombs
Laurence O’Keefe and
Christopher James
John Jones
Sylvia Lavelle
Pauline and David Lawton
Cameron Mowat
Ruth Muir
David Orr
Matthew O’Sullivan
Rosia Pasteur
Penny Rawlins
Anne Roussac-Hoyne and Neil Roussac
Michael Ryan and Wendy Mead
Andrew Serpell and
Anne Kieni Serpell
Jennifer Shepherd
Suzette Sherazee
Dr Gabriela and Dr George Stephenson
Pamela Swansson
Lillian Tarry
Tam Vu and Dr Cherilyn Tillman
Mr and Mrs R P Trebilcock
Christina Turner
Peter and the late Elisabeth Turner
Michael Ulmer AO
The Hon. Rosemary Varty
Terry Wills Cooke OAM and the late Marian Wills Cooke
Mark Young
Anonymous (20)
The MSO gratefully acknowledges the support of the following Estates:
Norma Ruth Atwell
Angela Beagley
Barbara Bobbe
Michael Francois Boyt
Christine Mary Bridgart
Margaret Anne Brien
Ken Bullen
Deidre and Malcolm Carkeek
The Cuming Bequest
Margaret Davies
Blair Doig Dixon
Neilma Gantner
Angela Felicity Glover
The Hon Dr Alan Goldberg
AO QC
Derek John Grantham
Delina Victoria SchembriHardy
Enid Florence Hookey
Gwen Hunt
Family and Friends of
James Jacoby
Audrey Jenkins
Joan Jones
Pauline Marie Johnston
Christine Mary Kellam
C P Kemp
Jennifer Selina Laurent
Sylvia Rose Lavelle
Peter Forbes MacLaren
Joan Winsome Maslen
Lorraine Maxine Meldrum
Prof Andrew McCredie
Jean Moore
Joan P Robinson
Maxwell and Jill Schultz
Miss Sheila Scotter AM MBE
Marion A I H M Spence
Molly Stephens
Gwennyth St John
Halinka Tarczynska-Fiddian
Jennifer May Teague
Elisabeth Turner
Albert Henry Ullin
Jean Tweedie
Herta and Fred B Vogel
Dorothy Wood
Joyce Winsome Woodroffe
Cecilie Hall and the Late Hon Michael Watt KC
Tim and Lyn Edward
Weis Family
John and Lorraine Bates
Colin Golvan AM KC and Dr Deborah Golvan
Sascha O. Becker
Maestro Jaime Martín
Elizabeth Proust AO and
Brian Lawrence
Guy Ross
The Sage Foundation
The Kate and Stephen Shelmerdine Family Foundation
Michael Ullmer AO and Jenny Ullmer
Jason Yeap OAM – Mering Management Corporation
Shane Buggle and Rosie Callanan
Roger Young
Andrew Dudgeon AM
Rohan de Korte, Philippa West
Tim and Lyn Edward
John Arcaro
Dr John and Diana Frew
Rosie Turner
Sophie Galaise and Clarence Fraser
Stephen Newton
Dr Mary-Jane Gething AO
Monica Curro
The Gross Foundation
Matthew Tomkins
Dr Clem Gruen and Dr Rhyl Wade
Robert Cossom
Cecilie Hall and the late Hon Michael Watt KC
Saul Lewis
Nereda Hanlon and Michael Hanlon AM
Abbey Edlin
David Horowicz
Anne-Marie Johnson
Dr Harry Imber
Sarah Curro, Jack Schiller
Margaret Jackson AC
Nicolas Fleury
Di Jameson OAM and Frank
Mercurio
Elina Fashki, Benjamin Hanlon, Tair Khisambeev, Christopher Moore
The late Dr Elizabeth A
Lewis AM
Anthony Chataway
David Li AM and Angela Li
Concermaster Chair
Rosemary and the late Douglas Meagher
Craig Hill
Gary McPherson
Rachel Shaw
Anne Neil
Eleanor Mancini
Newton Family in memory of Rae Rothfield Cong Gu
The Rosemary Norman Foundation
Ann Blackburn
Andrew and Judy Rogers
Michelle Wood
Glenn Sedgwick
Tiffany Cheng, Shane Hooton
Dr Martin Tymms and Patricia Nilsson
Natasha Thomas
Anonymous
Prudence Davis
Anonymous
Rachael Tobin
Life Members
John Gandel AC and Pauline Gandel AC
Sir Elton John CBE
Lady Primrose Potter AC CMRI
Jeanne Pratt AC
Michael Ullmer AO and Jenny Ullmer
Anonymous
MSO Ambassador
Geoffrey Rush AC
The MSO honours the memory of Life Members
Marc Besen AC
Mrs Eva Besen AO
John Brockman OAM
The Honourable Alan Goldberg AO QC
Harold Mitchell AC
Roger Riordan AM
Ila Vanrenen
Jaime Martín
Chief Conductor
Benjamin Northey
Principal Conductor in Residence
Leonard Weiss
Cybec Assistant Conductor
Sir Andrew Davis CBE
Conductor Laureate
Hiroyuki Iwaki †
Conductor Laureate (1974–2006)
Warren Trevelyan-Jones
MSO Chorus Director
Erin Helyard
Artist in Residence
Karen Kyriakou
Artist in residence, Learning and Engagement
Christian Li
Young Artist in Association
Katy Abbott
Composer in Residence
Naomi Dodd
Cybec Young Composer in Residence
Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO
First Nations Creative Chair
Xian Zhang
East meets West Ambassador
Artistic Ambassadors
Tan Dun
Lu Siqing
Chairman
David Li AM
Co-Deputy Chairs
Margaret Jackson AC
Di Jameson OAM
Managing Director
Sophie Galaise Board Directors
Shane Buggle
Andrew Dudgeon AM
Martin Foley
Lorraine Hook
Gary McPherson
Farrel Meltzer
Edgar Myer
Glenn Sedgwick
Mary Waldron
Company Secretary
Demetrio Zema
The MSO relies on your ongoing philanthropic support to sustain our artists, and support access, education, community engagement and more. We invite our supporters to get close to the MSO through a range of special events.
The MSO welcomes your support at any level. Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible, and supporters are recognised as follows:
$500+ (Overture)
$1,000+ (Player)
$2,500+ (Associate)
$5,000+ (Principal)
$10,000+ (Maestro)
$20,000+ (Impresario)
$50,000+ (Virtuoso)
$100,000+ (Platinum)
Help us deliver an annual Season of musical magic, engage world-renowned artists, and nurture the future of Australian orchestral music by becoming an MSO Patron.
Through an annual gift of $500 or more, you can join a group of like-minded musiclovers and enhance your MSO experience. Be the first to hear news from the MSO and enjoy exclusive MSO Patron activities, including behind-the-scenes access, special Patron pre-sales, and events with MSO musicians and guest artists.
To find out more, please call MSO Philanthropy on (03) 8646 1551, or by scanning the QR code.
Thank you for your support.
GOVERNMENT
PREMIER
MAJOR
Freemasons Foundation Victoria
The Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation, The Angior Family Foundation, Flora & Frank Leith Trust, Perpetual Foundation – Alan (AGL) Shaw Endowment, Sidney Myer MSO Trust Fund
