The Metropolitan
Orchestra
2015 SEASON
Sarah-Grace Williams, Artistic Director & Chief Conductor
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2015 SEASON Messages …….….…………..……………………….…. About TMO ..………………….……………………….…
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MET CONCERTS Met Concert #1 - MARCH …………………………..… Met Concert #2 - MAY …………………………….…... Met Concert #3 - JUNE ……………………….………. Met Concert #4 - SEPTEMBER …………….………... Met Concert #5 - NOVEMBER ………………….…….
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CUSHION CONCERTS Cushion Concert #1 - MAY ……………………………. Cushion Concert #2 - OCTOBER ..………..………….
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SPECIAL EVENTS BBC Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular ………….. Classics in the Park - Free Event ……………………. Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts …………..…….
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Support and Sponsorship .….……………………….… Our People ….…………….………………………….…. 2015 Season at a Glance ……..…………………….…
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For full season details and ticketing information visit
www.metorchestra.com.au or call 02 8007 7131 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 updated information
Messages ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CHIEF CONDUCTOR SARAH-GRACE WILLIAMS It’s been an incredible journey since our inaugural concert in 2009. With some 70 concerts behind us, our 7th season will be our biggest and brightest yet. TMO’s core philosophy of showcasing both renowned and emerging Australian artists, as well as our mission to deliver premium concert experiences from intimate, local venues is reflected in our flagship Met Concert series. Works by Rachmaninoff, Dvorak, Sibelius, Elgar, Tchaikovsky, Kats-Chernin, Sculthorpe and Vivaldi and a wonderful collection of Australian soloists fill this sumptuous series. As part of our focus to make great orchestral music available to more everyday Australians and young families we are also proud to be extending our highly regarded Cushion Concert series and again presenting a free outdoor concert. Highlights amongst our Special Events include the return of BBC’s Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular, the tour of John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John and once again setting sail in the South Pacifc as resident orchestra for the Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts. Welcome to our TMO 2015 Season - We are ready for you!
GENERAL MANAGER BEVAN RIGATO With 2014 being one of our most successful years to date, TMO's 2015 Season will not disappoint! It is an enticing season that will continue the positive trend of growing audience numbers, supporters and patrons as we continue to achieve our goal of making fantastic classical music more accessible to the greater Sydney community. We look forward to sharing 2015 with you, your friends and family.
PATRON GUY NOBLE Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement of TMO, now a vital part of Sydney’s music scene. We need audiences as much as we need musicians who are able to perform for them. So if you love the sound of an orchestra playing live in front of you, all those musicians working together in real time with music that has stood the test of time, then maybe think of inviting someone along who has never experienced the thrill of real vibrating orchestral acoustic sound. Instead of a pair of socks or an expensive electronic toy that will end up forgotten in the back of a cupboard, buy a ticket for a friend, a nephew, niece or grandchild. Give the gift of music and perhaps be the catalyst for opening up a whole new world - the music of TMO.
MINISTER FOR THE ARTS TONY GRANT MP Welcome to the 2015 season of The Metropolitan Orchestra, and thank you for supporting this group of fine musicians. Music in all its genres transcends time and language, crosses borders and brings us together. Since its inception, TMO has shown great commitment to taking wonderful music to the people of Sydney and across NSW, making a great contribution to the cultural life of our State. I commend them for their work and wish them the best for a successful 2015.
About TMO Under the baton of Founding Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams and Patroned by Guy Noble, The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO) has become recognised as one of Australia’s most versatile orchestras delivering accessible, first-class and vibrant concert experiences that are highly cherished and valued by the Sydney community. TMO’s highly regarded annual concert season comprises their flagship MET CONCERTS, CUSHION CONCERTS and SPECIAL EVENTS, performed at a range of venues across the Sydney Metropolitan area from the most iconic to the most intimate. Performance highlights include concerts with internationally renowned musicians Sumi Jo (Sydney Opera House), David Helfgott (City Recital Hall, Angel Place), James Morrison (Sydney Opera House and The Concourse) and Kate Ceberano (Sydney Opera House); special events such as BBC’s Blue Planet and Planet Earth in Concert (Sydney Opera House), Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular (Sydney Opera House), Opera in the Vineyards (Wyndham Estate, Hunter Valley), the BBC Australasian Showcase (Waterloo), Faure's Requiem (Angel Place) with Sydney Chamber Choir and Richard Gill, the National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final where the orchestra performed in front of a live and televised audience of millions, and sailing the high seas through the South Pacific as resident orchestra on board the Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts. Numerous renowned artists have appeared in concert and/ or on album recordings with TMO including Conductors Richard Gill, George Fenton, Brian Castles-Onion, Ben Foster and Guy Noble; Actors Alex Kingston and Mark Williams; Singers Yvonne Kenny, Elaine Paige, Marina Prior, Cheryl Barker, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Antoinette Halloran, David Hobson, Rosario La Spina, Anna Leese, Belinda Montgomery, Alexander Knight, Daniel BonicGoodwin, Barry Ryan, Anke Höppner, Christopher Hillier, Teresa La Rocca, Stuart Maunder, Meredith O’Reilly, Richard Anderson, Sian Pendry, Samuel Dundas, Daniel Belle, David Hooley, Tommy Fleming and Renae Martin; Instrumentalists Simon Tedeschi, Ambre Hammond, Claire Edwardes, Bruce Mathiske, Shefali Pryor, Frank Celata, EmmaJane Murphy, Patrick Murphy, Kirsten Williams, Nicholas Russoniello and the Lyrebird Trio; Vocal Ensembles Sydney Philharmonia Choir, Sydney Chamber Choir, Figaro and members of Opera Australia Chorus.
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Simon Tedeschi (Met Concert #3)
“The combination of powerful virtuosity... masterful artistry... compelling aural experience… one of Australia’s finest pianists” Fine Music Magazine
Met Concerts Conducted by TMO Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams and performed at Eugene Goossens Hall (ABC Centre), the MET CONCERT series is TMO’s flagship series. Join us in 2015 for enticing programs which showcase the strength and personality of TMO, featuring leading Australian soloists and composers, alongside some of the greatest orchestral repertoire ever written.
MET CONCERT #1 Sunday March 1, 1pm Special 2015 Welcome Concert Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre, Ultimo MOZART VIVALDI
CLARINET QUINTET FOUR SEASONS
Conductor Clarinet Violin
Sarah-Grace Williams Andrew Doyle, TMO Principal Clarinet Lisa Stewart, Acacia Quartet
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Bernard Walz (Met Concert #2)
"I only wish George Gershwin were alive to hear Bernard Walz play Rhapsody In Blue... he would have loved it..." , the late Larry Adler speaking of Australia’s premier ‘Pops’ pianist, seven-time 'Instrumentalist of the Year' and ARIA no 1 charting musician
MET CONCERT #2 Saturday May 2, 8pm Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre, Ultimo KODALY GERSHWIN ELGAR
DANCES OF GALANTA RHAPSODY IN BLUE ENIGMA VARIATIONS
Conductor Piano
Sarah-Grace Williams Bernard Walz
MET CONCERT #3 Saturday June 27, 8pm
Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre, Ultimo SCULTHORPE GRIEG DVOŘÁK
FROM ULURU PIANO CONCERTO SYMPHONY no 9 'New World Symphony'
Conductor Piano
Sarah-Grace Williams Simon Tedeschi
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Anna Da Silva Chen (Met Concert #5)
“An exceptional young violinist… excellent technical and stylistic mastery… enchants audiences” Grand Finalist ABC Young Performers Award 2014
MET CONCERT #4 Saturday September 5, 8pm Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre, Ultimo KATS-CHERNIN RE-INVENTIONS Premiere
RACHMANINOFF SYMPHONY NO 2 Conductor Flute
Sarah-Grace Williams Svetlana Yaroslavskaya TMO Principal Flute
MET CONCERT #5 Saturday November 14, 8pm Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre, Ultimo TCHAIKOVSKY SIBELIUS
VIOLIN CONCERTO SYMPHONY no 2
Conductor Violin
Sarah-Grace Williams Anna Da Silva Chen Grand Finalist, ABC Young Performer Awards 2014
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Buzz and Lah-Lah (Cushion Concert #1) Buzz and Lah-Lah (Lah-Lah and Buzz visit TMO)
Cushion Concerts This interactive concert series is designed for young audiences and their families, inviting them to openly enjoy their musical experience with TMO in a kid-friendly environment. Performed at the Balmain Town Hall, we encourage our little friends to sit on mats and cushions to get close the action!
LAH-LAH & BUZZ VISIT TMO Saturday May 30, 11am & 1pm Sunday May 31, 11am & 1pm Balmain Town Hall You’ve seen them on ABC4Kids, Nick Jr and CBeebies, now come and see Lah-Lah and Buzz at Balmain Town Hall when they visit some of their friends in The Metropolitan Orchestra! This fun interactive show will have the whole family up singing and dancing.
PETER & THE WOLF Saturday October 3, 11am & 1pm Sunday October 4, 11am & 1pm Balmain Town Hall Due to popular demand and sell out concerts in 2014, Peter and the Wolf will return in 2015. This interactive concert is designed to engage, educate and inspire children as they are introduced to classical music. With music your child will know and love including Prokofiev's classic tale and an opportunity for every child to get up close to the instruments, this concert is one for the whole family. 12
Special Events DOCTOR WHO SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR Saturday February 7, 2pm & 7.30pm Qantas Credit Union Arena (formerly Sydney Entertainment Centre) Featuring a cast of over 145 musicians, actors and singers and presented by the Fifth Doctor, Peter Davison, with Daleks, Cybermen and a host of other Doctor Who monsters, Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular is a musical celebration of the iconic TV series which last year celebrated its 50th anniversary. This extraordinary concert includes special edited sequences of Peter Capaldi's debut as the Twelfth Doctor, as well as fan favorites from recent series and classic nostalgic footage. Composer, Murray Gold's captivating music, will be performed by Australia's finest musicians and singers including Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra and The Metropolitan Orchestra in Sydney.
CLASSICS IN THE PARK Free Event Sunday March 29, 4-7pm Callan Park, Rozelle Grab your family and friends, a picnic rug and basket for this FREE CONCERT presented by Leichhardt Council. Performed in the gorgeous sandstone setting of Sydney College of the Arts, TMO will perform a selection of the most beautiful chamber music before being joined by the Young Artists from Pacific Opera for the great opera favourites! 14
James Morrison (Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts)
24 October - 1 November, departing Sydney. TMO returns as Resident Orchestra for the 2015 BRAVO Cruise of the Performing Arts, featuring the biggest line up of Australian & International Artists ever assembled on water. Set sail with TMO aboard the luxurious Radiance of the Seas cruising the South Pacific for eight nights. From world renowned opera sensations and theatrical favourites to acclaimed classical performers, BRAVO is an all-consuming musical experience. Led by Guy Noble, performers appearing with TMO include James Morrison, Katherine Jenkins OBE, Liz Callaway, David Hobson, Suzanne Johnstone, Judi Connelli, David Shannon, Jonothan Welch, Mark Vincent, Emma Pask, Jane Rutter and the Grigoryan Brothers.
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Sponsors & Supporters The Metropolitan Orchestra are a registered not-for-profit incorporated association. Established in 2009, TMO continues to make fantastic orchestral music more accessible for Sydney audiences from our highly regarded flagship Met Concert series through to Cushion Concerts, Special Events and free outdoor concerts, while offering greater opportunities for Australian talent to perform at the highest levels. Delivering our concert season requires significant financial support from personal philanthropists, flexibly structured corporate sponsorships and financial patrons. Now in our 7th season of performance, we are continually looking to build our list of dedicated sponsors and supporters committed to realising the lofty mission of delivering great orchestral music to more Australians, and putting Sydney squarely on the global cultural musical map. We would like to particularly acknowledge the long standing and committed support of Leichhardt Council and Clear Music, who have shared in our vision and assisted our journey from day one. There are a range of personal philanthropic and corporate sponsorship options available from small one-off donations through to significant financial commitments. Donations to The Metropolitan Orchestra are tax deductible through the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF).
Support TMO in 2015
Become a Corporate Partner, Patron or Financial Supporter of The Metropolitan Orchestra and help us to continue to develop Sydney’s cultural landscape by making world-class music accessible to audiences across the Sydney Metropolitan Area and beyond. We welcome all enquiries on how you can support TMO. Please contact our General Manager, Bevan Rigato on (02) 8007 7131 to find out more.
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Our People Artistic Director & Chief Conductor: Sarah-Grace Williams General Manager: Bevan Rigato Patron: Guy Noble Concertmasters: Caron Chan, Jessica Love, Nataliya Lukich, Rebecca Seymour Violins: Lindsay Irik*, Tatyana Lukich*, Jane Stanley#, Alexis Adjuk, Sarah Anthony, Lidia Bara, Natalya Bing, Toby Carroll, Angela Cassar, Kathryn Crossing, Felicity Doukakis, Kate Finch, Dominique Gallagher, Dominique Guerbois, Anthea Hetherington, Nan Heo, Amanda Hoh, Monique Irik, Caroline Kelly, Emlyn Lewis-Jones, Mariangela Martinez, Dominic Meagher, Jem Muharrem, Christina Ong, Katrina Pappallo, Dushanka Pizurica, Heloise Pyne, Georgia Shimmon, Madeline Slaughter, Elisabetta Sonego, Ela Stopa-Zbikowska, Mar'yana Sywak, Thomas Talmacs, Isabel Taussig Talmacs, Carol Tang, Joanne Waples, Ian Watson Viola: Luke Spicer*, Georgina Price#, Julia Doukakis#, Lucy Carrigy-Ryan, Nadia Courtney, Elizabeth D'Olier, Josephine Lumanau, Lucy Macken, Laura Piplica, Annabel Pope, Kathryn Ramsay, Mariette Reefman Cello: John Benz*, Clare Kahn*, Steve Meyer#, Caroline Hobbs#, Julienne Guerbois, Samantha Knutsen, Jessica Quarmbey, Emily Palethorpe, Ezmi Pepper, Sally ShinckelBrown, Ji You Bass: James Menzies*, Nicole Murray-Prior*, Mark Szeto*, Jessica Holmes#, Elsen Price, Andrew Macellaro Flute: Svetlana Yaroslavskaya*, Jacinta Mikus, Lucie Benz Oboe: Rie Tamaru*, Matthew Bubb*, Alex Fontaine, Zoe Sitsky Clarinet: Andrew Doyle*, Alisha Coward, Evan Guy, Stephan Schafer, Craig Driscoll Bassoon: Anthony Grimm*, Sarajane Kikaldy-Hansen*, Peta Goh Horn: Michael Wray*, Julia Zeltzer*, Tina Brain, Adrian Hallam, Gemma Lawton Trumpet: Matt Dempsey*, Ray Cassar#, Jenna Smith#, Emma Bolton Trombone: Jacob Shaw*, Mark Brown, Richard Shirley Bass Trombone: Ben Turner*, Sam Torrens Tuba: Scott Frankcombe* Timpani: Murray Parker* Percussion: Philip South*, Mark Robinson*, Tim Brigden*, Richard Gleeson, Joshua Hill, Tim Pallais, Helen Parker Harp: Owen Torr* Celeste: Joesphine Allen* * Principal Player Piano: Bernard Walz*, Bev Kennedy, Vincent Colagiuri # Associate Principal Player Assistant Conductor: Luke Spicer Financial Controller: Bernard Walz Program Notes: Andrew Doyle
Music Librarian: Svetlana Yaroslavska Assistant to Artistic Director: Nataliya Lukich Operations: Kathyrn Ramsay, Alisha Coward, Andrew Doyle, Mar'yana Sywak, Laura Piplica, Sarajane Hansen, Mark Szeto
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Season At A Glance FEBRUARY Saturday 7
Special Event – BBC Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular
MARCH Sunday 1 Sunday 29
Met Concert #1 -‐ 2015 Season Welcome Special Event – Classics in the Park Free Event
APRIL Saturday 18 Sunday 19
Special Event – To be announced Special Event – To be announced
MAY Saturday 2 Saturday 30 Sunday 31
Met Concert #2 – Rhapsody in Blue & Enigma VariaLons Family Cushion Concert – Lah-‐Lah and Buzz visit TMO Family Cushion Concert – Lah-‐Lah and Buzz visit TMO
JUNE Saturday 27
Met Concert #3 – New World Symphony
SEPTEMBER Saturday 5
Met Concert #4 – Rachmaninoff Symphony no 2
OCTOBER Saturday 3 Sunday 4 Saturday 23
Family Cushion Concert – Peter and the Wolf Family Cushion Concert – Peter and the Wolf Special Event – Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts
NOVEMBER Saturday 14
Met Concert #5 – Sibelius Symphony no 2
www.metorchestra.com.au PO BOX 625 BALMAIN NSW 2041 PH: 02 8007 7131