THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA
2020
SARAH-GRACE WILLIAMS Founding Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Welcome to 2020, a year of change and growth for The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO), with new venues for our mainstage Met Concert series, a new Chamber Concert series, four world premieres and an inspiring Emerging Composer Competition. The 2020 Met Concert series will take audiences on a musical journey that explores some of the greatest repertoire ever written with works by Beethoven, Mozart, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Vaughan Williams, Bartok, Borodin and Shostakovich, alongside premieres by Australian composers Keyna Wilkins, Mark John McEncroe and the winner of TMO’s new Emerging Composer Competition. We are proud that this concert series will continue to champion exceptional local soloists. TMO will also expand its musical offerings with a delightful new Chamber Concert series delivered at intimate and accessible local venues. Our renowned Cushion Concert series will continue to showcase family favourites while also featuring another world premiere show written by Australian composer Adrian Hallam, one of our own musicians. TMO will continue to appear for various special events throughout the year (watch our website for details) including a seventh year onboard Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts, where we will share the stage with some of the world’s greatest performers sailing the Pacific Ocean. We look forward to every moment of our exciting new musical journey in 2020 and hope that you will be able to join us.
HON. DON HARWIN MLC NSW Minister for the Arts I am thrilled to welcome you to The Metropolitan Orchestra’s 2020 season – a new season of storytelling through music. Every piece, every musician, every instrument has a story that brings the heart and soul to their performances. From the Classical Dreamtime to family-friendly Cushion Concerts, The Metropolitan Orchestra is truly offering a full menu of storytelling and experiences for everyone. Orchestras are a statement about what is possible when we come together to create intangible forms of art. They inspire, educate, and promote the development of individual, group, cultural and national identities. The Metropolitan Orchestra has been achieving this since its formation in 2009, showcasing local conductors, musicians and composers. In 2020, I hope you will join me in experiencing the power of live orchestral music with The Metropolitan Orchestra. 3
OURSeason HISTORY 2019 Overview Under the baton of Founding Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams, The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO) is recognised as one of Australia’s most versatile orchestras, delivering consistently vibrant first-class experiences. Founded in 2009 and based in Sydney, TMO’s remarkable decade of music making boasts more than 500 concerts with a variety of events targeted at different demographics including TMO’s highly acclaimed Met Concert series, family Cushion Concert series, free concerts, international and national tours, as well as appearing on several album recordings and numerous special events. An impressive roster of performers have appeared with TMO including internationally renowned artists José Carreras, Bryn Terfel, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sumi Jo, David Helfgott, Elaine Paige, Anthony Warlow, John Farnham, Olivia NewtonJohn, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, James Morrison, Kate Ceberano, Marina Prior, the Grigoryan Brothers and Todd McKenny. In high demand as an orchestra-forhire, TMO has shown their versatility working across numerous genres. Performance highlights include concerts with film (BBC’s Blue Planet and Planet Earth, Doctor Who Symphonic S p e c t a c u l a r, Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy), providing mid-field entertainment at the NRL Grand Final, Opera in the Vineyards and sailing the South Pacific annually as resident orchestra aboard Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts for the past six years. Additionally, TMO has been engaged to perform across Australia and New Zealand with numerous touring international artists including 2Cellos, Basement Jaxx, The Piano Guys, hiphop act Horrorshow, Air Supply and Joy Division. 4
2020
MET CONCERT SERIES
CLASSICAL DREAMTIME STRINGS ATTACHED RUSSIAN FESTIVAL TALES OF PASSION MUSICAL LANDSCAPES
Saturday 7 March 8pm pg 7 Sunday 17 May 3.30pm pg 8 Saturday 25 July 8pm pg 9 Saturday 26 September 8pm pg 10 Saturday 12 December 8pm pg 11
CUSHION CONCERT SERIES TUBBY THE TUBA Saturday 4 April 11am & 1pm Sunday 5 April 11am & 1pm PETER & THE WOLF Saturday 4 July 11am & 1pm Sunday 5 July 11am & 1pm JACK & THE BEANSTALK Saturday 21 November 11am & 1pm Sunday 22 November 11am & 1pm
pg 13 pg 13 pg 14 pg 14 pg 15 pg 15
CHAMBER CONCERTS & SPECIAL EVENTS CELLISTS OF TMO TMO SEPTET TMO OCTET HARP TRIO BRAVO CRUISE
Sunday 29 March 3.30pm Sunday 28 June 3.30pm Sunday 30 August 3.30pm Sunday 1 November 3.30pm Tuesday 13 - Tuesday 20 October
pg 17 pg 17 pg 18 pg 18 pg 19
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MET CONCERTS
Supported by Inner West Council In 2020, TMO will present five mainstage Met Concert performances from intimate and accessible concert venues including Everest Theatre (Seymour Centre) and the Independent Theatre in North Sydney. Led by TMO Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams, TMO’s 2020 Met Concert series has been designed to inspire, excite and engage audience members with a selection of music which traverses the globe, whilst championing Australian composers and soloists. Known for delivering exceptional concerts filled with passion, TMO will take audiences on a musical journey that explores some of the greatest repertoire, per formed alongside three premieres by Australian composers while showcasing exceptional Au s tra l i a n s o l o is t s .
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MET CONCERT ONE
CLASSICAL DREAMTIME 8pm Saturday 7 March
Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
MOZART WILKINS PROKOFIEV
Symphony no 40 Celestial Emu
WORLD PREMIERE Didjeridu: Gumaroy Newman
Classical Symphony
Mozart’s iconic classical work, his Symphony No 40, is an epic creation as dramatic as any tale ever told, full of elegance and refinement, with opening bars that have mesmerised music-listeners for centuries. Following this dazzling start to TMO’s 2020 season, TMO will present a world premiere performance by pioneering Australian female composer Keyna Wilkins, featuring leading Indigenous didjeridu player Gumaroy Newman. Wrapping up the program is Prokofiev’s modern classic. Concise and playful, Prokofiev wittily juxtaposes his own daring musical language with typical melodic turns and gestures from Mozart’s time. 7
MET CONCERT TWO
STRINGS ATTACHED 3.30pm Sunday 17 May Independent Theatre
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
MOZART
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
BLOCH
Concertino for Flute, Viola and Strings Flute: Svetlana Yaroslavskaya, Viola: Robyn Botha (TMO Principal Players)
BARTOK
Divertimento for Strings Vaughan Williams’ lush and expansive Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis opens today’s program at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney. It is a visionary fusion of folksong and sacred music that will wash the audience in sound from the heavens above. Mozart’s sublime Eine Kleine Nachtmusik rounds out the first half of this all-string concert, before TMO principal players Svetlana Yaroslavskaya (flute) and Robyn Botha (viola) feature in Bloch’s delightful Concertino. The afternoon finishes with Bartok’s dazzling Divertimento. 8
MET CONCERT THREE
RUSSIAN FESTIVAL
8pm Saturday 25 July
Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
SHOSTAKOVICH Festival Overture BORODIN Symphony no 2 TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony no 4 TMO has become renowned for its passionate and exciting delivery of Russian repertoire and tonight’s all-Russian program will not disappoint. Shostakovich’s Festival Overture is full of fire and brilliance leading into Borodin’s powerful Symphony No 2 with brooding intensity. To finish the program is Tchaikovsky’s epic journey through fate and destiny, his powerful Fourth Symphony.
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MET CONCERT FOUR
TALES OF PASSION 8pm Saturday 26 September Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
BEETHOVEN Egmont Overture MCENCROE The Passing AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE KOUSSEVITZKY Double Bass Concerto Double Bass: Kirsty McCahon BRAHMS Symphony no 2
Beethoven’s powerful Egmont Overture will be followed by beautiful, evocative melodies in a symphonic poem by Australian composer Mark John McEncroe. Leading Australian bassist Kirsty McCahon (ex-principal, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra) will then demonstrate the virtuosity of the double bass in Koussevitzky’s passionate Concerto, before this sublime program finishes with Brahms’ divine Second Symphony.
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MET CONCERT FIVE
MUSICAL LANDSCAPES 8pm Saturday 12 December Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
NEW WORK
by winner of TMO Emerging Composer Competition WORLD PREMIERE WESTLAKE Antarctica Suite for Guitar & Orchestra Guitar: Giuseppe Zangari
BEETHOVEN
Symphony no 6
TMO is committed to championing emerging Australian talent and this evening’s program will open with a piece written by the winner of TMO’s 2020 Emerging Composer Competition. Guitarist Giuseppe Zangari will then join TMO for Nigel Westlake’s illustrative Antarctica Suite for Guitar and Orchestra before TMO celebrates the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth with his magnificent Sixth Symphony.
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CUSHION CONCERTS Supported by Inner West Council
This interactive series invites young audiences and their families to get up close and personal to TMO in a kidfriendly environment. Families are encouraged to bring their rugs and cushions to these shorter concerts (without interval) and sit on the floor where they can comfortably see, hear and engage with the performance. All concerts end with a chance for your child to closely interact with their favourite musical instruments and discover a little more about what they’ve just experienced. This series is targeted at ages 6 months to 8 years.
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CUSHION CONCERT ONE
TUBBY THE TUBA 11am & 1pm Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 April Balmain Town Hall
Presenter: Daniel Milne Join Tubby the Tuba as he searches for a special melody that he can play with the orchestra. In this playful, interactive cushion concert, children will discover the instruments of the orchestra through a collection of fun pieces including Liquorice Noodles for Clarinet, Flipperdiperus for Flute, Galloping Goanna for Xylophone, Duelling Fiddles for Violin, Lonesome Prairie for Trumpet and Tuba Toothpaste for Tuba. 13
CUSHION CONCERT TWO
PETER & THE WOLF 11am & 1pm Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 July Balmain Town Hall
Presenter: Tyran Parke An annual event in TMO’s concert calendar, Prokofiev’s popular Peter & the Wolf will enchant, entertain and educate young audiences. Take your children on this amazing musical journey with Peter and his Grandfather, the Bird, Cat, Duck, the Hunters and of course the Big, Bad, Wolf. This interactive performance introduces the musical instruments that represent each character of this timeless story. 14
CUSHION CONCERT THREE
JACK & THE BEANSTALK 11am & 1pm Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 November Balmain Town Hall WORLD PREMIERE Presenter: Nat Jobe Join TMO for this world premiere performance of Jack and the Beanstalk by Australian composer Adrian Hallam. The delightful childhood fairy tale comes to life in a magical musical setting for narrator and orchestra, following the highs and lows of Jack’s adventures as he meets the giant!
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CHAMBER CONCERTS & SPECIAL EVENTS Supported by Inner West Council
In great demand as an orchestra-for-hire, TMO regularly appears outside the standard concert hall setting. From grand orchestral performances at sea, to national tours with international artists and intimate chamber performances, TMO performs across a variety of platforms and in a wide range of configurations. Visit our website and register to receive the e-newsletter or Like Us on Facebook to stay in touch with exciting new performances added to TMO’s busy calendar throughout 2020.
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CELLISTS OF TMO
TMO SEPTET
3.30pm Sun 29 March
3.30pm Sun 28 June
Independent Theatre
Leichhardt Town Hall
APOCALYPTICA, BACH, BEETHOVEN Septet in Eb BYRD, PIAZZOLLA, BERWALD Septet MANCINI & MORE The much loved Cellists of TMO return to the stunning Independent Theatre in North Sydney as part of their Prelude In Tea series. TMO’s cellists will dazzle with a beautiful choice of music including classic chamber master works through to popular classics, all re-orchestrated to accentuate the extraordinary sounds of this unique ensemble. Afternoon tea is included in the ticket price, providing a luxurious event, perfect for those who want to treat themselves to a special afternoon out.
Written for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello and bass, Beethoven’s Septet is resolutely cheerful and optimistic despite being written during a period of great personal anguish. Whilst Berwald’s Septet was written for the same instruments not long after Beethoven’s Septet, it is in no way imitative of it. Sadly both composers couldn’t enjoy the successes of these two beautiful septets, but this afternoon TMO principals will celebrate these masterworks in the intimate Leichhardt Town Hall. 17
TMO OCTET HARP TRIO 3.30pm Sun 30 August Leichhardt Town Hall
MENDELSSOHN Octet JENKINS Palladio Join the principal string players of TMO for an afternoon of glorious music at the Leichhardt Town Hall, which will allow audiences to get up close to the impressive action. Mendelssohn’s remarkable string octet which was composed when he was just 16 years of age will be followed by Karl Jenkins’ colourful Palladio. This work is based on architect Palladio’s harmonious mathematical principles. 18
3.30pm Sun 1 November Leichhardt Town Hall
CLINTON First Grand
Duo Concertante IBERT Deux Interludes CAVALLINI Reverie Russe Audiences are in for a treat with this unique combination of flute, clarinet and harp, which will create a sublime atmosphere that journeys through pure and angelic soundscapes, highlighted by indulgent and sensual playing. Performing repertoire that has been especially arranged for this concert, this is a special event not to be missed.
BRAVO CRUISE Tuesday 13 - Tuesday 20 October Sailing the South Pacific, exiting Sydney.
Set sail with The Metropolitan Orchestra in their seventh year as resident orchestra of Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts. Sailing on the Royal Caribbean’s luxurious Serenade of the Seas departing Sydney for seven magical nights bound for the enchanting South Pacific Islands, TMO will be joined by a host of the world’s best performers including Anthony Warlow (AM), UK singer, dancer and actor Ruthie Henshaw, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Peter Coleman-Wright, Cheryl Barker, David Hobson, Mirusia, Richard Troxell and more.
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HIRE TMO The Metropolitan Orchestra is the place for all your musical needs. Whether you are after a musical ensemble of any size to support a touring artist, a full symphony orchestra as a feature for a large scale event, a small ensemble to provide welcome music for your function, or something in between, TMO is your one-stop-musical-shop. “Touring Australia and New Zealand with The Metropolitan Orchestra conducted by the amazingly talented Sarah-Grace Williams was one of the greatest highlights of our long career.” Graham Russell – Air Supply “Your support, advice and following up was one million percent the reason why we had a successful concert. The orchestra sounded incredible and the clients had an amazing time and said it was one of those once in a lifetime memories, so we really ‘hit a home run’ as they say.” Scott Bellingham, Event Manager Kate Ceberano & James Morrison Concert, Sydney Opera House Contact us to discuss how TMO can support your event. Call 02 8004 3472 or email hire@metorchestra.com.au
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EMERGING COMPOSER COMPETITION TMO’s new Emerging Composer Competition in 2020 will inspire new compositions from non-established composers across NSW with the winner and 2 runner-up composers receiving prize money. The winning composition will receive a world premiere performance in TMO’s final Met Concert of 2020. Visit www.metorchestra.com.au/about-us/emerging-artists-program/ecc2020/
SUPPORT US The Metropolitan Orchestra is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity. Whether you are an individual or a business that wants to see music thrive in Sydney, any financial support you provide will make a real difference to TMO’s future, and therefore make a difference to music making in Sydney – what a proud thing to know and be a part of. DONATIONS OF $2 OR MORE ARE FULLY TAX DEDUCTIBLE For more information visit www.metorchestra.com.au/supporting-tmo
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MUSICIANS VIOLIN Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich+, Dominique Guerbois+, Lindsay Irik*, Catrina Hughes#, Alexis Ajduk, Sarah Anthony, Gulia Bayjanova-Kab, Dawid Botha, Holly Bennett, Angela Cassar, Amy Cohen, Stephanie Colomb, Alexandra Coroneo, Anastasia Coroneo, Kathryn Crossing, Katherine Finch, Claire Fulton, Danielle Funston, Parisa Ghamsary, Victoria Giles, Lu Guo, Nan Heo, Amanda Hoh, Caroline Kelly, Grace Kim, Peter Krajniak, Justin Li, Jessica Love, Dominic Meagher, Jenny Mee, Christina Mills, Lily Mullin-Chivers, Katrina Papallo, Paul Pokorny, Claudia Seibold, Denisa Smeu-Kirileanu, Elisabetta Sonego, Ela Stopa-Zbikowska, Elena Tabolkina, Claire Vohland, Joanne Waples & Naomi Warr VIOLA Robyn Botha*, Viktoria Vukovich#, Niamh Armstrong, Lucy Carrigy-Ryan, William d'Avigdor, Elizabeth D'Olier, Nicola Elsworth, Darius Kaperonis, Dana Kern, Haemi Lee, Seola Lee, Lucy Macken, Monique Mezzatesta, Laura Piplica, Kathryn Ramsay & Suyeon Ro CELLO John Benz*, Ezmi Pepper*, Steve Meyer#, Michael Bardon, Zenith Chae, Julienne Guerbois, Caroline Hobbs, Nick McManus, Javier Mobellan, Emily Palethorpe, Sally Schinckel-Brown, Shelayne Torta & George Yang DOUBLE BASS Jeremy Fox*, Mark Szeto*, Jessica Holmes#, Eric Hutchens, Nicole Murray-Prior & Hayley Whitmore
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FLUTE Svetlana Yaroslavskaya*, Vanessa Couper, Emilia Antcliff, Lucie Benz, Nicky Crowe, Rachel Howie & Jacinta Mikus OBOE Kate Waller, Maddie Randall, Rachel Tomie CLARINET Andrew Doyle*, Alisha Coward#, Evan Guy & John Mete BASSOON Anthony Grimm*, Sarajane Kirkaldy-Hansen* & Greg Taylor FRENCH HORN Adrian Hallam*, Neil O’Donnell#, Tina Brain, Gemma Lawton, Natasha Roumanoff & Robert Stonestreet TRUMPET David Johnson*, Alfie Carslake*, Tyler Wilkinson#, Joshua Clark, Ray Cassar, & Adam Davis TROMBONE Gareth Lewis*, Mark Brown, Arthur Johnson & Darcy Shevlin TUBA James Barrow* & Luke Bartley TIMPANI Murray Parker* PERCUSSION Chiron Meller*, Tim Brigden, Jess Ciampa, Anita Cook, Kaylie Dunstan, Selina Fung, Rob Oetomo, Helen Parker, Philip South & Luke Thatcher HARP Kate Moloney & Owen Torr PIANO Bev Kennedy
+ Concertmaster * Principal Player # Associate Principal Player
OPERATIONS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CHIEF CONDUCTOR Sarah-Grace Williams MANAGING DIRECTOR Bevan Rigato
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Max Tomassetti
SECRETARY Sarajane Kirkaldy-Hansen CHIEF MUSIC LIBRARIAN Svetlana Yaroslavskaya
ORCHESTRA ADMINSTRATOR Shelayne Torta
OPERATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE Robyn Botha, Alisha Coward, Andrew Doyle, Francesca Italia, Catrina Hughes, Omid Moheb Zadeh, Murray Parker, Laura Piplica, Mark Szeto BROCHURE PHOTOGRAPHY Ed Cobb (Covers, pg 4, 6, 12, 16, 23, 24, 27) One Ski Digital (pg 2, 17, 19, 25) John B Chen (pg 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 26) Sean Moloney (pg 15)
All details correct at time of printing. TMO reserves the right to vary programs, artists and/or venues without notice. Visit www.metorchestra.com.au for up-to-date information.
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OUR PARTNERS OUR PERFORMANCE PARTNER
OUR ENTERPRISE PARTNERS BeWrite Business Writing & Marketing Group Brittains Accountants | Advisors
OUR MEDIA PARTNERS Fine Music 102.5 FM One Ski Digital
FRIENDS OF TMO Thank you to our individual philanthropic partners for their generous support. Visit www.metorchestra.com.au to see our list of personal donors.
CHARITY PARTNER TMO are proud to support Chris O’Brien Lifehouse as our health charity of choice. 24
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS Interactive partnerships are fundamental to the survival and growth of any arts organisation. At The Metropolitan Orchestra, we are committed to ensuring that each partnership delivers over and above expectations. All Corporate Partnerships are completely customised in close consultation with each company to ensure defined needs and desires are met. Benefits are many and varied to include a flexible composition to coincide with corporate objectives. Opportunities can include helping brands engage with our desirable audiences of music lovers, VIP ticketing and special dress rehearsal access, corporate presentations from our conductor and selected principal players, plus access to unique tailored hospitality opportunities featuring TMO musicians. Partnership opportunities include Principal and Presenting Partners, Performance Partners, Enterprise Partners or we can create a category that matches the commitment levels of your business. We would be pleased to customise a partnership to fulfil your marketing, promotion, and client entertaining objectives in line with the specific needs and goals of your organisation. For more information on TMO partnership categories, please visit the corporate partnerships page on our website, or contact us directly via email or phone. For Corporate Partnership enquiries please call 02 8004 3472 or email info@metorchestra.com.au 25
SUBSCRIPTIONS & TICKETS MET CONCERT SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES With a Met Concert Subscription, you will save on standard Met Concert ticket pricing and access special benefits including dress rehearsals, discounted single tickets and more. Choose a subscription package to suit your musical needs in 2020.
MET CONCERT SERIES SINGLE TICKETS Adults from $47, Seniors from $33, Pensioners/Students from $29, Children (Under 18) from $15.
CUSHION CONCERT SERIES SINGLE TICKETS All tickets $15 (Babies up to 12 months attend for free).
SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS Ticket pricing varies for special events. Visit www.metorchestra.com.au for ticket pricing information.
ON SALE 2 DECEMBER 2019 26
For full details and sales visit www.metorchestra.com.au
CONNECT WITH TMO metorchestra.com.au PO BOX 625 Balmain NSW 2041 02 8004 3472 @TheMetOrchestra @TheMetOrchestra The Metropolitan Orchestra @TheMetOrchestra
VENUE LOCATIONS EVEREST THEATRE, SEYMOUR CENTRE Corner of City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale LEICHHARDT TOWN HALL Corner of Marion and Norton St, Leichhardt BALMAIN TOWN HALL 370 Darling St, Balmain INDEPENDENT THEATRE 269 Miller St, North Sydney
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