2009 - 2019
2019 CONCERT SEASON
2019 Season Overview
Celebrating its tenth birthday in 2019, The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO) continues on its mission to make premium musical experiences accessible to all ages, from babes in arms to cultured seniors. Their flagship MET CONCERT series will take audiences on a memorable journey with symphonic masterpieces from Mahler, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff, Bruch and Borodin, alongside a world premiere by Daniel Rojas and concerto performances by exciting Australian talent. TMO’s sold out CUSHION CONCERT series has become a staple in family calendars and in response to this TMO is expanding the series in 2019, presenting three delightful Babies Proms concerts plus an epic Family Concert, all from family friendly, accessible venues. SPECIAL EVENTS in 2019 include an intimate performance with the Cellists of TMO and TMO’s sixth year as the resident orchestra on board the world’s leading classical music cruise, Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts featuring headliner Sir Bryn Terfel along with Lucy Durack, James Morrison, David Hobson, Mark Vincent, Tania Ferris, Melinda Schneider and more.
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Matthew Bubb Principal Oboe
Met Concert Series A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
Saturday 9 March
8pm
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RUSSIAN NIGHTS
Saturday 11 May
8pm
8
TANGOS & TCHAIKOVSKY
Saturday 6 July
8pm
9
MAHLER FIVE
Saturday 7 September
8pm
10
BRUCH & SIBELIUS
Saturday 26 October
8pm
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Cushion Concert Series MOVIES IN CONCERT
Sunday 10 March
2pm
ANIMAL ADVENTURES
Saturday 13 July Sunday 14 July
11am & 1pm 14 11am & 1pm
PETER & THE WOLF
Saturday 28 September Sunday 29 September
11am & 1pm 15 11am & 1pm
THE MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS
Saturday 7 December Sunday 8 December
11am & 1pm 15 11am & 1pm
CELLISTS OF TMO
Sunday 7 April
3pm
BRAVO CRUISE
Tuesday 12 - Tuesday 19 November
Special Events 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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Ten Years & Counting 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 non-government funded orchestras, delivering consistently vibrant first-class experiences. A not-for-profit registered musical charity, TMO’s remarkable decade of music-making boasts more than 240 concerts, national and international tours and several album recordings. The orchestra’s selfproduced annual seasons have included a variety of events tailored to different demographics, from their highly acclaimed and regularly sold-out Met Concert and Cushion Concert series to development programs for composers, conductors and performers, plus outreach concerts for newly arrived refugees. Over the past ten years, an impressive roster of performers have appeared with TMO including internationally renowned artists José Carreras, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sumi Jo, David Helfgott, Elaine Paige, Anthony Warlow, John Farnham, Olivia NewtonJohn, James Morrison, Kate Ceberano, Marina Prior, the Grigoryan Brothers and Teddy Tahu Rhodes. In high demand as an orchestra-for-hire, performance highlights include concerts with film (BBC’s Blue Planet and Planet Earth, Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular, Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy), the NRL Grand Final, Opera in the Vineyards, 2Cellos Australian and New Zealand tour, an East Coast tour with hiphop act Horrorshow, and sailing the South Pacific annually as resident orchestra aboard Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts since 2014.
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Svetlana Yaroslavskaya Principal Flute
Messages SARAH-GRACE WILLIAMS, Founding Artistic Director & Chief Conductor In April 2009, The Metropolitan Orchestra (then known as Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra) took to the stage for the first time. There was an excitement in the air. Musicians and audience alike knew this was the beginning of a crucial new life force in the Sydney music scene. Even with this anticipation, none of us really knew what we were in for over the next 10 years. It has been an incredible journey and I am proud to have been at the helm for the entire ride. With more than 240 concerts, national and international tours and album recordings behind us, TMO has cemented its position as one of the most versatile, privately-run ensembles in the country. We proudly deliver on our simple mission of making music accessible to all, whilst nurturing and showcasing Australian talent. 2009-2019 is just the first chapter. BEVAN RIGATO, Managing Director The fact that TMO has continued to grow over the last 10 years is testament to the extraordinary commitment, skill and tenacity of our management team, dedicated volunteers and our exceptionally talented musicians. It also proves what we have known since the beginning, that there is a huge need for exceptional music to be made more accessible for all. TMO have built a solid foundation to continue changing Sydney’s musical landscape which will ultimately benefit all Australians. GUY NOBLE, Patron Welcome to another marvellous season of music-making with TMO. An orchestra is a wonderful thing – humans coming together to create something that can thrill and engage. Nothing is amplified, all is organic and natural and contains no calories whatsoever. I invite you to come and be part of the 2019 season and enjoy all the goodness TMO has to offer. 5
Met CONCERTs Presented by Cruiseco Supported by Inner West Council
In 2019, TMO will present five mainstage Met Concert performances from intimate and accessible concert venues including Petersham Town Hall and TMO’s home at the Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre in Ultimo. Led by TMO Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams, their eleventh Met Concert series has been designed to inspire, excite and engage audience members with a selection of music which traverses the globe. Delivered in TMO’s signature energetic style and featuring a selection of exceptional Australian soloists, the 2019 Met Concert series will be a musical journey worth sharing.
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John Benz Principal Cello
Met Concert ONE
Murray Parker Principal Timpani
A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES 8pm Saturday 9 March Petersham Town Hall
For the first performance of their 2019 season, TMO will present a variety of the best known orchestral repertoire from some of the biggest blockbuster movies of all time. Including works by SuppÊ, Williams, Elfman, Shostakovich, Wagner, Elgar, Morricone, Strauss, Beethoven, Mussorgsky, Barber and Goldsmith, this dazzling musical experience will transport audience members to other times and other worlds. Presented by TMO Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams, this concert dedicated to exceptional movie music will feature orchestral repertoire from giant cinema productions including Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Platoon, Dunkirk, The King’s Speech, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Batman, ET, Star Trek and Star Wars. 7
Met Concert Two
RUSSIAN NIGHTS 8pm Saturday 11 May
Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre
RACHMANINOFF RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Piano
Piano Concerto No 3 Scheherazade Clemens Leske
The Metropolitan Orchestra’s annual all-Russian concert has become a sought-after staple for lovers of Russian repertoire. Russian Nights will feature one of Australia’s most distinguished pianists, Clemens Leske, performing Rachmaninoff’s treasured Piano Concerto No 3. The most popular work in Rimsky-Korsakov’s canon, Scheherazade, will take the audience on an exhilarating journey of love, intrigue and adventure.
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Met Concert Three
TANGOS & TCHAIKOVSKY 8pm Saturday 6 July
Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre
TCHAIKOVSKY PIAZZOLLA/ROJAS Piano/Composer
Souvenir de Florence Libertango Suite World Premiere Daniel Rojas
Considered one of Tchaikovsky’s happiest works, Souvenir de Florence sets the upbeat tone of Met Concert Three with bouncy rhythms, sensual contrasts and happy folk-dance tempi. Pianist-composer Daniel Rojas will join TMO strings for a world-premiere performance of his Libertango Suite which is heavily influenced by Astor Piazzolla, and complemented by Rojas’ distinctive take on salsa and mambo rhythms.
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Met Concert Four
Mahler Five 8pm Saturday 7 September
Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre
MAHLER
Symphony No 5 Mahler’s enormous Symphony No 5 charts the development in his love affair with future wife, Alma Schindler (later Alma Mahler). At over one hour in length, this colossal work begins with mournful funeral music featuring the summons of a single trumpet, before taking listeners on an epic and turbulent journey of contrast from the cheerful and optimistic, through stormy to beautifully soulful. Herbert von Karajan once said that when you hear Mahler’s Fifth, “You forget that time has passed. A great performance of the Fifth is a transforming experience. The fantastic finale almost forces you to hold your breath.” One of the most recorded symphonies of all time, Symphony No 5 includes the famous Adagietto (fourth movement) as Mahler’s love letter to his new bride which was famously performed as a standalone piece by Leonard Bernstein at Robert Kennedy’s funeral in 1968. Ending with what is often regarded ‘the finale to end all finales’, this incredible work will leave audience members gasping for more.
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Met Concert Five
BRUCH & SIBELIUS 8pm Saturday 26 October
Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre
BORODIN In the Steppes of Central Asia
BRUCH
Violin Concerto No 1
SIBELIUS
Symphony No 5 Violin Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich TMO Concertmaster The final Met Concert of The Metropolitan Orchestra’s 2019 season begins with an absolute concert favourite, Borodin’s In the Steppes of Central Asia. This thematic work sets the scene for a night filled with musical imagery to mark the conclusion of TMO’s tenth birthday celebrations. Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No 1 is one of the most performed violin concertos and, along with the Scottish Fantasy, the composer’s most famous work. TMO introduces their vivacious concertmaster Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich as soloist for this lyrical, thematic and complex work for violin. Sibelius’ magnificent Symphony No 5 is characteristic of his mature and illustrative style in a tremendous work as a vivid exclamation point on a triumphant concert season for TMO. Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich Concertmaster
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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 kid-friendly 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 the children to closely interact with their favourite musical instruments and discover a little more about what they’ve just experienced. This series includes Babies Proms concerts targeted at ages 6 months to 8 years and Family Concerts for toddlers to teens.
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FAMILY CONCERT
MOVIES IN CONCERT 2pm Sunday 10 March Petersham Town Hall
The Metropolitan Orchestra with Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams bring to life some of the greatest film scores of all time in an epic family event. Featuring music from big budget movies including Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Trek, Batman, ET, Fantasia and Star Wars, this electrifying concert will transport audience members of all ages through different worlds and times using the magical music of the movies. The whole family is encouraged to get into the dress-up fun and join TMO, who will each be dressed as their favourite movie character. This year you might see Spider-Man, Wonder Woman or even some Minions playing in the orchestra for this magical Family Concert at Petersham Town Hall - Who will you come as? 13
BABIES PROMS ONE
ANIMAL ADVENTURES 11am & 1pm Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 July
Balmain Town Hall
Presenter: Nat Jobe Back by popular demand! Hear birds singing, lions roaring, elephants stomping and even an Unhappy Aardvark, all played by the orchestra! Join Zookeepers Sarah-Grace and Nat for this fun concert that will ignite imaginations in a kid-friendly environment. Including music from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee, your children will join in the fun as they sing and dance to some of their favourite animal nursery rhymes during this interactive performance.
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Ezmi Pepper Principal Cello
BABIES PROMS Two
BABIES PROMS Three
11am & 1pm Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 September
11am & 1pm Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 December
PETER & THE WOLF Balmain Town Hall
The MUSic of Christmas 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.
To celebrate the wonder of Christmas, The Metropolitan Orchestra, led by Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams, will present a selection of much loved Christmas and holiday music that will get children and parents excited about this magical time. This fun and interactive concert will share the true spirit of the season to leave the audience brimming with Christmas cheer. 15
Special Events In great demand as an orchestra-forhire, TMO performs for a number of special events throughout the year. From grand orchestral performances to concerts with touring artists and intimate chamber performances, TMO are available to work on any number of platforms and in a variety of configurations. Visit www.metorchestra.com.au to sign up to receive our e-newsletter or Like Us on Facebook to stay in touch and be the first to hear of any new and exciting performances involving The Metropolitan Orchestra throughout 2019.
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Chiron Meller Principal Percussion
Cellists of TMO Bravo Cruise 3pm Sunday 7 April
12-19 November
The much loved Cellists of TMO return to the charming Leichhardt Town Hall where they will dazzle with a beautiful choice of music including classic chamber master works through to popular classics, all reorchestrated to accentuate the extraordinary sounds of this unique ensemble. First appearing in 2013, the Cellists are guaranteed to warm your Autumn Sunday afternoon with the soothing sounds of the cello in this intimate one-off performance presented in their distinctively fun, engaging and relaxed style.
Set sail with The Metropolitan Orchestra in their sixth year as resident orchestra of Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts. Sailing on the Royal Caribbean’s luxurious Radiance of the Seas departing Sydney for seven magical nights bound for Noumea and the Isle of Pines, TMO will be joined by a host of the world’s best performers including headliner, Sir Bryn Terfel along with Lucy Durack, David Hobson, James Morrison, Mark Vincent, The Idea of North, Tania Ferris, Jonathan Welsh, Melinda Schneider, Bravo String Quartet, Cellists of TMO and more.
Leichhardt Town Hall
Sailing the South Pacific
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Hire TMO FROM INTIMATE ENSEMBLES THROUGH TO A GRAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA If you require musicians to perform for your commercial engagement, The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO) is the place for all your musical needs. Whether you are after a full symphony orchestra for a large scale event, a small ensemble to provide welcome music for your function, or something in between, TMO is your onestop-musical-shop. Consider hiring TMO to: • Perform centre stage as feature entertainment • Accompany touring or feature artists • Add that WOW factor to your event • Create an air of sophistication for cocktail parties • Add elegance to a charity ball • Enhance business luncheons • Welcome guests on board chartered cruises • Highlight unique venues and locations • Appear on live TV broadcasts • Appear on album recordings • Leave everyone raving about your event. Contact us to discuss how TMO can support your event. Call 02 8004 3472 or email hire@metorchestra.com.au
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Andrew Doyle Principal Clarinet
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 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 HELPING THOSE WHO HELP OTHERS TMO are proud to support Chris O’Brien Lifehouse as our health charity of choice. Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is an independent, not-for-profit, comprehensive cancer centre providing everything a cancer patient needs in one world-class location. We believe that music can make a huge difference to others far less fortunate and look forward to being a part of the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse journey in 2019.
Lindsay Irik Principal Second Violin
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Musicians VIOLIN Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich+, Dominique Guerbois+, Lindsay Irik*, Catrina Hughes#, Alexis Ajduk, Sarah Anthony, Gulia Bayjanova-Kab, Holly Bennett, Angela Cassar, Amy Cohen, Stephanie Colomb, Alexandra Coroneo, Anastasia Coroneo, Kathryn Crossing, Katherine Finch, Robert Fortune, Danielle Funston, Nan Heo, Amanda Hoh, Caroline Kelly, Grace Kim, Peter Krajniak, Emlyn Lewis-Jones, Jessica Love, Clare Matchett, Dominic Meagher, Jenny Mee, Heloise Meisel, Christina Mills, Lily Mullin-Chivers, Katrina Papallo, Renae Pinazza, Paul Pokorny, Claudia Seibold, Denisa Smeu-Kirileanu, Elisabetta Sonego, Ela Stopa-Zbikowska, Mar'yana Sywak, Elena Tabolkina, Isabel Tzorbatzaki, Claire Vohland, Joanne Waples & Naomi Warr VIOLA Robyn Botha#, Viktoria Vukovich#, Dawid Botha, 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 CELLO John Benz*, Ezmi Pepper*, Steve Meyer#, Michael Bardon, Zenith Chae, Julienne Guerbois, Caroline Hobbs, Nick McManus, Emily Palethorpe, Sally SchinckelBrown & George Yang DOUBLE BASS Jeremy Fox*, Mark Szeto*, Jessica Holmes#, Carol Jeon, Eric Hutchens, Nicole Murray-Prior & Theo Small
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FLUTE Svetlana Yaroslavskaya*, Vanessa Couper, Emilia Antcliff, Lucie Benz, Nicky Crowe, Rachel Howie & Jacinta Mikus OBOE Matthew Bubb*, Alex Fontaine*, Rie Tamaru*, Aaron Reichelt#, Kate Mostert & Zoe Sitsky CLARINET Andrew Doyle*, Alisha Coward#, Evan Guy & John Mete BASSOON Anthony Grimm*, Sarajane Kirkaldy-Hansen*, Long Nguyen & Greg Taylor FRENCH HORN Michael Wray*, Adrian Hallam*, Neil O’Donnell#, Tina Brain, Gemma Lawton, Robert Stonestreet & Julia Zeltzer TRUMPET Jenna Smith*, Zac Anderson, Emma Bolton, Alfie Carslake, Ray Cassar, David Johnson, Tyler Wilkinson & Indiana Williams TROMBONE Gareth Lewis*, Jacob Shaw*, Mark Brown & Darcy Shevlin TUBA James Barrow* & Luke Bartley TIMPANI Murray Parker* PERCUSSION Chiron Meller*, Tim Brigden, Anita Cook, Kaylie Dunstan, Rob Oetomo, Helen Parker & Luke Thatcher HARP Kate Moloney & Owen Torr PIANO Bernard Walz, Vincent Colaguiri & Bev Kennedy
+ Concertmaster * Principal Player # Associate Principal Player
Management & Operations ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CHIEF CONDUCTOR Sarah-Grace Williams MANAGING DIRECTOR Bevan Rigato FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Max Tomassetti SECRETARY Sarajane Kirkaldy-Hansen EVENT OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Sean Moloney CHIEF MUSIC LIBRARIAN Svetlana Yaroslavskaya OPERATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE Robyn Botha, Alisha Coward, Francesca Italia, Omid Moheb Zadeh, Murray Parker, Laura Piplica, Mar'yana Sywak, Mark Szeto PROGRAM NOTES Andrew Doyle PATRON Guy Noble OFFICIAL TMO PHOTOGRAPHER John B Chen OFFICE INTERN Omid Moheb Zadeh
VENUE LOCATIONS EUGENE GOOSSENS HALL ABC Centre, 700 Harris St, Ultimo PETERSHAM TOWN HALL 107 Crystal St, Petersham BALMAIN TOWN HALL 370 Darling St, Balmain
Adrian Hallam Principal Horn
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SUBSCRIPTIONS & Tickets FULL MET CONCERT SUBSCRIPTION With a Full Subscription, you will save on standard Met Concert ticket pricing and access special benefits including dress rehearsals, discounted single tickets and more.
SELECT MET CONCERT SUBSCRIPTION Choose any three favourite Met Concerts in 2019 to guarantee your seats and save.
MET CONCERT SERIES SINGLE TICKETS VIP* $95, Adult $59, Concession $35, Student $20, Child (7-15) $15, Children under 7 attend for free.
CUSHION CONCERT SERIES SINGLE TICKETS Family Concert: Family $70 (2 Adults, 2 Children) Adult $25, Child (Under 16 years) $15. Babies Proms: All tickets $15 (Babes in arms attend for free).
SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS Ticket pricing varies for special events. Visit www.metorchestra.com.au for ticket pricing information. *20% of all VIP ticket sales goes to TMO’s 2019 health charity of choice, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. VIP ticket holders also access a variety of additional benefits including priority allocated seating, dress rehearsals and more.
For full details and sales visit www.metorchestra.com.au
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Robyn Botha Associate Principal Viola
Thank You PRESENTING PARTNER
PERFORMANCE PARTNER
OVERTURE PARTNERS BeWrite Business Writing & Marketing Group JBI Images - Official Photographer
MEDIA PARTNER Fine Music, 102.5 FM
BROCHURE PHOTOGRAPHY Portrait Photos by Ed Cobb Performance Photos by John B Chen
Anthony Grimm Principal Bassoon
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metorchestra.com.au PO BOX 625 Balmain NSW 2041 02 8004 3472 @TheMetOrchestra @TheMetOrchestra The Metropolitan Orchestra @TheMetOrchestra
Jeremy Fox Principal Double Bass