Metropolis: Hidden Thoughts II

CONCERT PROGRAM

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II

1 AUGUST

Iwaki Auditorium

THE MEASURE OF

A FUN NIGHT OUT IS SLEEPING IN AS LONG AS YOU LIKE TOMORROW 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 cotton for as long as you like.

Drop in to rymanhealthcare.com.au

ARTISTS Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Leonard Weiss CF* conductor Lotte Betts-Dean mezzo-soprano Richard Piper narrator * Cybec Assistant Conductor

PROGRAM KATY ABBOTT** Hidden Thoughts II: Return to Sender Our musical Acknowledgment of Country, Long Time Living Here by Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO, will be performed at this concert. ** MSO Composer in Residence

Content Warning We recognise the subject matter of Katy Abbott’s work Hidden Thoughts II could be an intense and emotional experience for some, especially those directly affected by offshore detention.

This concert may be recorded for future broadcast on MSO.LIVE.

Duration: 1 hour, no interval Timings listed are approximate.

In consideration of your fellow patrons, the MSO thanks you for silencing and dimming the light on your phone.

ACKNOWLEDGING COUNTRY 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.

About Long Time Living Here As a Yorta Yorta/Yuin composer the responsibility I carry to assist the MSO in delivering a respectful acknowledgement of country is a privilege which I take very seriously. I have a duty of care to my ancestors and to the ancestors on whose land the MSO works and performs.

As MSO continues to grow its knowledge and understanding of what it means to truly honour the First people of this land, the musical acknowledgment of country will serve to bring those on stage and those in the audience together in a moment of recognition as as we celebrate the longest continuing cultures in the world.

– Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO

Australian National Commission

4

for UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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 Benjamin Northey, Cybec Assistant Conductor Leonard Weiss CF, 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.

5

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

KATY ABBOTT COMPOSER

Composer Katy Abbott is forensically curious about what makes us tick. Her music explores our passions, fears and motivations using contemporary musical flavours in traditional musical settings. Musing on the concepts of connection, place and humour, Abbott’s compositions are performed, published and recorded around the world.

Abbott’s work has won numerous prestigious awards including a 2-year Australia Council of the Arts Fellowship (Music), Paul Lowin Prize (song-cycle), Boston Metro Opera ‘Gold Prize’ for Art Song and the Albert H. Maggs Prize for Composition.

Abbott has five solo albums of her work on ABC Classics and MOVE Records and her work is regularly programmed in festival, chamber and orchestral settings in Australia and overseas.

A central theme in Abbott’s work is ‘connection’, particularly in the triadic relationship between audience, performer, and composer. Although this theme exists throughout Abbott’s whole catalogue, her Hidden Thoughts™ Series is where she is deliberately and overtly exploring connection in relation to self, each other and our world. Each Hidden Thoughts work looks at the macro (societal) human connection as well as the intimate (one-to-one connections within relationships, families, friendships and self) and she does this through stories and capturing the essence of the extraordinary in the ‘ordinary’.

6

Katy has been Senior Lecturer in Composition at Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne for 10+ years and founded The Artists’ Mentor which supports mid-career and established artists across disciplines to build long-term, vibrant practices with impact and meaning.

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

LEONARD WEISS CF CONDUCTOR

Leonard Weiss CF is an Australian conductor and educator. He is proud to be the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Cybec Assistant Conductor. Leonard previously held the position of 2022 New Zealand Assistant Conductor in Residence, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s 2020–21 BSO-Peabody Fellow.

Highlights of Leonard’s past season include Riccardo Muti’s Italian Opera Academy in Tokyo, the Tanglewood Conducting Seminar with Andris Nelsons, observing Salzburg Festival rehearsals at the selection of Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra musicians, and return engagements with the Auckland Philharmonia.

In addition to a busy MSO schedule this year, Leonard returns to National Opera for Suor Angelica. He also conducts all Australian symphony orchestras as part of the 2023–24 Australian Conducting Academy.

Leonard studied conducting with Marin Alsop at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. There he was acclaimed as Peabody’s “rising star” and conducted the National Symphony Orchestra in a masterclass with Gianandrea Noseda.

Leonard’s recent awards include the Mr and Mrs Gerald Frank New Churchill Fellowship, an Australia Council Career Development Grant, and an Ars Musica Australis Arts Fellowship. Leonard was a finalist for 2016 Young Australian of the Year, and was named 2016 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year for Youth Arts and Multimedia.

Leonard Weiss’ position as Cybec Assistant Conductor is supported

by Cybec Foundation.

7

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

LOTTE BETTS-DEAN MEZZO-SOPRANO

Lotte Betts-Dean is an Australian mezzo soprano based in the UK with a wide ranging repertoire and a passion for curation, programming and collaborative project development. Praised for her “irrepressible sense of drama and unmissable, urgent musicality” (The Guardian) and “arrestingly opulent voice” (Gramophone), Lotte is equally at home in chamber music, art song, contemporary repertoire of all kinds, early music, opera and narration.

Lotte is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, an Ambassador for Donne UK—an organization supporting women in music—and recently won Young Artist of the Year at the 2024 Royal Philharmonic Society Awards. Lotte is a regular at major festivals and venues across the UK, Australia and Europe, including Wigmore Hall, Kings Place, Aldeburgh Festival, Oxford Song, West Cork Chamber Music and Australian Festival of Chamber Music, and operatic credits in baroque, 20th century and contemporary opera include Grand Théâtre de Genève, Bayerische Staatsoper, Nevill Holt Festival and State Opera of South Australia. Regular Australian collaborators include Van Diemen’s Band, La Compañia, Rubiks Ensemble, Ensemble Q and MSO. Lotte studied at Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, ANAM and the Royal Academy of Music.

Recent recordings have been released on Delphian Records (Stuart MacRae, Arthur Keegan) Another Timbre (Catherine Lamb) NAXOS (Phillipos Tsalahouris) and Divine Art Métier (Michael Finnissy), with further albums due for release on Platoon (Schubert), BIS (Brett Dean) and Delphian (Britten). Lotte returns to Australia this October for performances at Port Fairy Spring Music Festival and a Tasmanian tour with Van Diemen’s Band.

8

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

RICHARD PIPER NARRATOR

Richard has spent forty-four years of his career on stage. Trained in London, he was soon performing on the West End in Grease and Elvis, and came to Australia in 1987 with cult cabaret band The Bouncing Czecks. Most recently, Richard appeared in Seventeen for Melbourne Theatre Company and Death of a Salesman for Red Line Productions. For Melbourne Theatre Company, he’s appeared in over forty productions, including: As You Like it, The Lady in the Van, Twelfth Night, Born Yesterday, Double Indemnity, Ghosts, Music, The Gift, Drowsy Chaperone, The Daylight Atheist (Green Room Award for Best Actor). For Melbourne’s Malthouse: The Black Rider, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore. For Sydney Theatre Company: The Secret River, Gross und Klein, Great Expectations, Moby Dick. Bell Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The War of the Roses, Henry V, Henry IV. STCSA: Moby Dick, Marat Sade, Restoration. Also, an accomplished musical theatre performer, Richard played the mayor in the award-winning, Come from Away, in addition to roles in Oklahoma!, Billy Elliot and Rocky Horror.

Richard collaborates with the Flinders Quartet as a Dramaturg and Director.

9

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

MUSICIANS PERFORMING IN THIS CONCERT FIRST VIOLINS

SECOND VIOLINS

Anne-Marie Johnson

Matthew Tomkins

Acting Assistant Concertmaster David Horowicz#

Sarah Curro

Dr Harry Imber#

Peter Fellin Karla Hanna Michelle Ruffolo Emily Beauchamp* Clare Carrick* Michael Loftus-Hills*

10

Principal The Gross Foundation#

Mary Allison Cong Gu

Newton Family in memory of Rae Rothfield#

VIOLAS Jenny Khafagi Acting Principal

Gabrielle Halloran

Acting Assistant Principal

Katharine Brockman Anthony Chataway Lucas Levin* Isabel Morse*

CELLOS Rachael Tobin

Associate Principal Anonymous#

Caleb Wong

Acting Assistant Principal

Philippa West

Alexandra Partridge* Anna Pokorny*

Roger Young

DOUBLE BASSES

Andrew Dudgeon AM# Shane Buggle and Rosie Callanan#

Jacqueline Edwards * Ioana Tache* Oksana Thompson*

Correct as of 23 July 2024.

Learn more about our musicians on the MSO website.

Rohan Dasika

Acting Assistant Principal

Luca Arcaro*

* Denotes Guest Musician # Position supported by

In 2013, barrister Julian Burnside AO QC, asked Australians to write letters of comfort and encouragement to asylum seekers detained on the island of Nauru. Nearly 2000 letters arrived over time. Each letter was forwarded to an individual asylum seeker with a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the detainees could reply to the sender if they wished.

impacts this relationship.” She adds.

“You, the audience, are also invited to contribute to this work. You are invited to sing the final movement with the performers and to add to the universal plea to welcome these people home”.

This piece is an important contribution to our understanding and knowledge of social connectivity. © Maureen Johnson 2020

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

PROGRAM NOTES

On 22 December 2014, Burnside received three large boxes from The Department of Immigration and Border Protection. They contained all but nine of the letters posted to asylum seekers.

The letters were unopened and marked “Return to sender”.

Hidden Thoughts II: Return to Sender is the second in a series of three pieces developed by composer Katy Abbott.

In Hidden Thoughts I she acknowledged the secret thoughts of women, here she brings to life words hidden by political decision makers. It pays homage to Australians who took the time to tell their stories; to empathise, to connect and to welcome strangers in need of a home. It also pays homage to those people, whose voices will only be heard in the silences; the negative space.

Abbott regrets not having written her own letter in 2013, and so the opportunity to unpack hundreds of letters from boxes and to bring these ‘thoughts’ to light was irresistible. “You will hear the voices of individuals as well as a universal voice that represents all of these people—a collective voice embodied in word and sound.” she says.

“Hidden Thoughts 1, played on the relationship between audience, composer and performer, and explores how the audience’s contribution

11

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

LIBRETTO

COMPILED BY KATY ABBOTT + MAUREEN JOHNSON i: Everyone Is Precious This is a letter from one human being to another; from one person who is old, to you who have had the courage to escape impossible situations only to land up part of another political situation. I have never had to cope with what you are dealing with, yet life itself manages to teach you some truths. One of these is that everyone is precious and that treating someone badly is to injure yourself.

Normally when you write a letter, you address it to a particular person. But I cannot with this letter because I don’t know who I’m writing to.

It seems silly to be sitting here writing this to you, when I am drinking coffee ahead of a university class; with people enjoying overpriced juices and smoothies.

The more I read the more it saddens me.

You are never far from my thoughts.

‘Dear David’ or ‘Dear Kate’, …but I cannot with this letter because I don’t know who I’m writing to; although I hope to get to know you.

I have tried to read a lot about what life on Nauru is like for people in your situation. The more I read, the more it saddens me. I guess that’s what led to me wanting to write to you; even just to give you a few moments distraction from what you are feeling. I’m sorry I can’t offer you more.

I am writing to you, even though we’ve never met because it’s nice to receive letters. Letters are like a piece of

12

someone, in a moment where all they were thinking of, is you. I tend to keep all of the letters that people send me for that reason – it’s a piece of them that I can return to at any time. Sometimes, just a connection with someone can be a powerful change in itself.

I hope to get to know you.

It feels strange to be writing instead of typing or texting.

Sometimes just a connection with someone can be a powerful change in itself.

Send back the envelope…

I realise English may not be the best language to write in but hopefully someone will translate and, if you wish to just post the enclosed envelope back, I will know we have connected. …I will know we have connected.

I hope to get to know you.

I like people not by race or creed but by the way people act towards others; accepting differences. I don’t know what I would do if I had to leave Australia. If life had become difficult.

Perhaps you could explain the way.

If there are any young people that would be interested, my daughter who is 16 could write to another young girl who is seeking friendship through letter writing.

My daughter tells me that some students say that asylum seekers are terrorists, which she knows is not true. I tell her to ask them ‘How do you know? What is your proof’? I advise using small words when she talks to these people. Those

ii: Where You Are GREETINGS new penfriend!. Below are all the things on my desk right now.

As you can see, I like my lip-balm.

Footscray is an interesting suburb. It is full of people from many different places in the world including Vietnam, China, Italy, Greece, Sudan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and India... I hope you and your family will be able to see the place for yourselves – enjoy rice paper rolls, rotis, ricotta filled cannoli, pastry and spicy curries.

I can hear the television turned on in another room – the cricket world cup is on. I think Australia are playing Sri Lanka and from what I can gather, Australia are not going too well. I barely follow any sports but there is something comforting about cricket on TV. I always associate it with summertime and family and everyone being together.

The books I like are crime novels or murder mysteries. I like supernatural stories too – they are very popular at the moment – stories about werewolves and magical people who are trying to get along in the normal world. Perhaps these are popular because we all wish we could have special powers and we are all afraid we are not the same as everyone else We get lots of lovely coloured birds on our back veranda. I am enclosing photos of them – and a stamped

envelope in case you would like to write back to me.

We welcome you here. iii: Hello Write to me. I’m sure you will find my interest in amphipods boring like everybody else does but we can laugh about that!

Unfortunately, I can only speak English. I visit a Brisbane detention centre twice a week and I’m learning Farsi (very slowly – it’s a difficult language), but I live with someone from Afghanistan so I am learning Dari/Hazaregi too!

I am writing to you to say welcome.

Hello new friend.

Dear friend in the world.

To the person this letter finds.

Dear friend.

To the person receiving this letter.

Hello beautiful people!

Hello whoever you are.

Dear friend, I really hope this letter reaches you.

To the person this letter finds.

To someone brave.

Hello my friend.

Hello my new pen pal. I hope you’re well – or as well as you can be.

I don’t know who’ll get this letter, but I’m writing from Melbourne, Australia.

To the person this letter finds.

Dear unknown refugee.

Dear potential pen pal.

Mate, I don’t know who you are or anything about you – but I care about you.

Hello.

Hello my friend.

Hello, hello.

Hello? I would like to know your name – not your number.

I am hoping this letter may be the beginning of a new friendship.

Dear Esteemed Asylum Seeker.

I call you friend. Welcome to Australia.

Please turn pages quietly

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

who criticise me for my stance would call me a ‘dogooder’ or a ‘bleeding heart’, as if I would be insulted by these words. I would ask them if I should be an ‘evil-doer’? Should I remove all the blood from my heart to please them?

I’m sure they would feel differently in your situation... If I ever flee my house or leave my country because of war, famine, or persecution, I honestly don’t know how I would cope. My heart goes out to you.

13

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

Dear My Future Pal. What up King?

(Australian slang for how are you?). I’m a 19 year-old Psych student – but way wiser beyond my years.

What would you like to do with your life?

Perhaps you enjoy reading? If so, let me know and I’ll see if I can send you some books.

I’m eighty-five years; I am a widow. I belong to a group. We raise money for refugees. My very best friend is from Iran. One of his names is Mohammad.

The other day my grandson was playing, I asked him a question.

He didn’t answer so I asked him again.

Again, no answer. And then looked up at me and said ‘Nan. I’m focusing’. Indeed he was. It’s important to focus. And so, as this year closes and another is opening up, I am focusing on you. I am sure you are courageous, you certainly need to be resilient. I wish you well, I wish you peace, I send you love.

Please write to me (if you want) and tell me something about your dream for the future.

One of his names is Mohammad. He was in detention for many years and so I wrote to him for many years. When he was released, my family sent money for him to fly to me. When I met him, we cried. We all like him very much. I feel that he is my son and I love him.

When I was a boy of 10, I had a penfriend in USA. When I was 13, I had a penfriend in Japan - we are still friends.

I have worked with and taught many people who have arrived in Australia from many countries – these people became my ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ in fact.

I call you friend because, although we have never met, I hope one day we can meet. iv: Twenty-year Old Girl I’m a twenty-year old girl.

I feel for you because I’m going through some heartache too.

My heart has been broken, I’m very sad.

And although we are apart, and I do not know you, I care about you.

I care about you. v: Internal Song I live in Sydney. I love surfing. It is my passion and my escape. I believe it is important for everyone to have an escape – something you can do to make you feel alive.

14

I have lost my husband almost two years ago now. I miss him so much but unlike you and many of your companions, have my family near me.

When I was three, my parents moved to Australia. Even though I love Australia I think my body is used to Irish weather; I always burn in the sub and get sweaty anytime it’s over 27 degrees…. I think cats are evil, they always want to be fed but they are not really loving in return.

People always say a dogs life is fantastic but actually a dog has very little control over its own future... I am somebody who loves the idea of the potential of the future and the things I can achieve and adventures I can go on.

Yesterday, a former prime minister of Australia, Mr Gough Whitlam passed away. Since this time and while listening to all the news, I have been thinking about what gives us hope (and the people that inspire us). It’s such a precious gift. vi: Shame (Hymn) Dismay. Please know, we don’t think this is right or just.

Truly saddened.

Deeply ashamed.

Sad. Cruel and unfair.

Not proud.

Appalled.

vii: Tell Me What You Ate For Lunch At the moment, winter is approaching but we can’t tell what it will be like.

At the moment, winter is approaching but we can’t tell what it will be like.

It’s been raining but not been cold.

It has been very good for the garden especially as we’ve had some very dry years and some hot summers in the past few years.

I teach 10- and 11-year-olds. It’s a nice age, just before the hormones kick in.

I was born in South Africa and immigrated to Australia. We love it here.

It takes a while to settle in but over time it has become home. I know how hard it is to leave your home country – it takes tremendous courage. There are many kind Australians. I wanted you to know that.

If you are a child, I will dance and sing with you. If you are an old person, I will just go along, longing for peace.

I find walking along beaches is my favourite pastime. I have enclosed one of my finds; a beautiful shell. I hope it remains uncrushed for you to enjoy.

I understand that at the moment you may not feel like you can write about things. But just a few lines would be okay. Tell me what you ate for lunch or anything about how you pass the time.

Do you have family?

I wish every human being has the same chance that I have to decide how my life

happens. That is why I am writing to you.

Next to our house is a mulberry tree which the children climb. And get covered in sticky purple juices. This purple is my favourite kind.

Is there anything I can help you with?

How can I help you?

Most of us just want to help.

Are you okay?

Everyone is precious. viii: Luxury Of Choice

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

Totally disagree.

We feel helpless; desperately sorry.

We feel ashamed.

Scandalous.

Horrified and deeply sad.

Truly shamed.

Sorry.

We feel shame, ashamed.

Are you okay? Are you okay?

I am able-bodied and have the luxury of choice and have not had my life threatened or my family’s. I am free to express my political opinion. I have been given the opportunity to complete a second degree. I can marry anyone I choose or not get married at all. I can walk out my front door any time I choose – [and go to my Thursday evening class]. ix: Not All Australians Not all Australians feel this way. Not many of us believe what the government has to say. So few of us believe that people can be treated so inhumanly.

You are not forgotten.

Many Australians think about you every day and despair.

I am so upset, this is beyond absurd.

Many of us are aware of the injustice, the cruelty.

Not all Australians are against the people who are trying to come here.

There are many who are angry. You are being listened to and you have been heard.

We are begging them to change.

I hope you are staying strong and remember you have friends who care about you in Australia, who think we are able to share our good things.

You are not forgotten.

Please turn pages quietly

15

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

There are Australians who wish to share this big country with you.

We are begging them for change.

Not all Australians.

There are many of us who care.

We wish you could be safe here.

We hate the way our government is treating you, We are begging them to change It upsets us that you are in detention not knowing when you will get out We are fighting. We will go to elections with our anger and your pain.

I am ashamed, I am so upset.

I want you to know not all Australians have bought into these dreadful rules.

A benchmark for brutality that future governments won’t repeat.

Dishonourable, cruel, this punishment being inflicted on you.

Many people in Australia care about you.

Many Australians are ashamed.

Many of us are ashamed Deeply saddened and ashamed. x: Hymn I believe my country is kind at its heart; it’s just that sometimes we forget.

We are saddened to see you locked up without consent.

Without proper treatment, we want to share your voice (do not give up hope).

I want our country to understand who you are; where you’re from.

Please know you’re not forgotten, thousands of Australians are fighting to have these laws changed. I believe our nation can do better.

I am writing to you to say ‘stay strong’. I want you to know not all Australians are hostile idiots. I’m so sorry this letter is necessary to explain.

Not in my name.

16

xi: Where I Am, Where You Are (Woolongong) My husband is an architect and our work means we go into many people’s homes and talk to our clients about the way they live in their homes and how they would like to improve on it. Of course, nobody lives in the same way and everyone wants different things and the architect has to be skilled at making sure everyone is happy! This is when an architect must also be a relationship counsellor!!

Woollongong is a beautiful place I live near rainforest I live far from the rat race I live in the suburbs, north of and south of the city In the city I live in Wooroloo I live close to, far from and nearby My home is near to town You are so far from, Your home is so far from here.

I’m sorry you are in Nauru.

I have a home you could live in I am close to the beach In Geelong, 75 kilometres from Melbourne There is the ocean near by I live close to, far from and near by I have no notion of what it’s like there I can hear you sometimes Far from your home.

I want to tell you you’re home.

The weather has been unusually lovely We’ve been able to sit outside In our place We have a place We are close to the town, far from the shops, Near a service station, where there is a lot of noise.

I can’t abide heat But it’s cooling in the evenings.

It’s cooling down.

Recently I worked in North Queensland It’s hot there, like where you are You are uncomfortable,

xii: Hope I hope my letter will relieve you some of your pain.

I hope you can hang in there until this discontent brings change.

I hope my letter will give you hope.

You are not alone.

I hope.

I have hope for you but not much for us.

If this letter can bring you hope.

I wish for you hope.

I hope.

I hope.

Keep your Hope.

If I were religious, I would pray for you

but I am not.

So instead I live my life with you in my mind. In all of the mundane things I do and know you cannot, like vacuuming the floor, doing the shopping, driving the car, watching television, tending the garden, riding my bicycle, playing on the trampoline with my children, going to the library, visiting the dentist, paining, knitting, going to the park – I keep you in my mind with the knowledge of just how special these things are. They are worth fighting for and I believe you should have the right to them as well.

HIDDEN THOUGHTS II | 1 August

I know that Where are you, and what’s it like You have my sympathy.

I don’t like the heat.

I live on the north coast, in the hills of Perth On the west coast, in the far south, Inland, by a river.

There’s a creek at the back of our Our place.

I live close to, far from and near by The one earth we live on, that we all share The colours are amazing Red earth, green hills and blue sea.

We live in a tiny old house Beside a big lake People love to sail and windsurf On the far side of the lake is a thin strip of forest On the other side of that the Pacific Inland there are farms that graze cattle I lived in a big town, now I live in a small town Wollongong is beautiful Here the birds are singing, A beautiful Autumn day with clear blue skies Views over the Indian ocean Over the pacific, across to the far side of the river I look outside there are some clouds in the sky I wonder what sky you are looking up at.

I wish for you hope. xiii: Yours Sincerely Thinking of you, even though I don’t know your name.

Blessings to you whoever you might be.

Wishing you, success and happiness.

Wishing you hope, a speedy, successful assessment process.

Yours in friendship.

Yours in love.

Yours in respect.

Your friend.

Sending you strength and courage.

Sending you thoughts.

Sending you all I can muster.

Sending you love.

May God bless you. I fear you are alone but may he keep everyone of you safe.

Offering you all our love and support Offering you peace; of mind, of heart, of soul.

Wish you the hand of friendship.

Offering you our prayers, our thoughts, hugs and kisses.

Watching television, going to the library.

Visiting the dentist, doing the shopping... ...the mundane things I do and know you cannot. xiv: Welcome We welcome you here (also sung by audience).

17

Supporters

SUPPORTERS MSO PATRON Her Excellency Professor, the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE The Gandel Foundation The Gross Foundation Besen Family 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)

ARTIST CHAIR BENEFACTORS Chief Conductor Chair Jaime Martín Supported in memory of Eva and Marc Besen Concertmaster Chair David Li AM and Angela Li Cybec Assistant Conductor Chair Leonard Weiss CF Cybec Foundation Acting Associate Concertmaster Tair Khisambeev Di Jameson OAM and Frank Mercurio Cybec Young Composer in Residence Naomi Dodd Cybec Foundation

PROGRAM BENEFACTORS Now & Forever Fund: International Engagement Gandel Foundation Cybec 21st Century Australian Composers Program Cybec Foundation First Nations Emerging Artist Program The Ullmer Family Foundation East meets West The Li Family Trust Community and Public Programs AWM Electrical, City of Melbourne, Crown Resorts Foundation, Packer Family Foundation

18

Live Online and MSO Schools Crown Resorts Foundation, Packer Family Foundation Student Subsidy Program Anonymous MSO Academy Di Jameson OAM and Frank Mercurio, Mary Armour, Christopher Robinson in memory of Joan P Robinson Jams in Schools Melbourne Airport, Department of Education Victoria, through the Strategic Partnerships Program, AWM Electrical, Jean Hadges, Hume City Council, Marian and EH Flack Trust, and Flora and Frank Leith Trust.

Regional Touring AWM Electrical, Creative Victoria, Freemasons Foundation Victoria, Robert Salzer Foundation, Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation Sidney Myer Free Concerts Sidney Myer MSO Trust Fund and the University of Melbourne, City of Melbourne Event Partnerships Program

PLATINUM PATRONS $100,000+ AWM Electrical Besen Family Foundation The Gross Foundation Di Jameson OAM and Frank Mercurio David Li AM and Angela Li Lady Primrose Potter AC Anonymous (1)

VIRTUOSO PATRONS $50,000+ Jolene S Coultas Dr Harry Imber Margaret Jackson AC Packer Family Foundation The Ullmer Family Foundation Anonymous (1)

IMPRESARIO PATRONS $20,000+ H Bentley Shane Buggle and Rosie Callanan The Hogan Family Foundation Elizabeth Proust AO and Brian Lawrence Lady Marigold Southey AC The Sun Foundation

Weis Family The Yulgilbar Foundation Anonymous (2)

MAESTRO PATRONS $10,000+ John and Lorraine Bates Margaret Billson and the late Ted Billson Jannie Brown Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM Ken Ong Chong OAM Miss Ann Darby in memory of Leslie J. Darby Mary Davidson and the late Frederick Davidson AM Andrew Dudgeon AM Val Dyke Jaan Enden Kim and Robert Gearon Dr Mary-Jane H Gething AO Hanlon Foundation David Horowicz Peter Lovell Dr Ian Manning Maestro Jaime Martín Rosemary and the late Douglas Meagher Farrel and Wendy Meltzer Paul Noonan Ian and Jeannie Paterson Hieu Pham and Graeme Campbell Janet Matton AM & Robin Rowe Liliane Rusek and Alexander Ushakoff Glenn Sedgwick Athalie Williams and Tim Danielson Lyn Williams AM

PRINCIPAL PATRONS $5,000+ The Aranday Foundation Mary Armour Alexandra Baker Barbara Bell in memory of Elsa Bell Bodhi Education Fund Julia and Jim Breen Nigel and Sheena Broughton

Janet Chauvel and the late Dr Richard Chauvel John Coppock OAM and Lyn Coppock Cuming Bequest The Dimmick Charitable Trust Tim and Lyn Edward Bill Fleming John and Diana Frew Sophie Galaise and Clarence Fraser Carrillo Gantner AC and Ziyin Gantner Geelong Friends of the MSO Dr Rhyl Wade and Dr Clem Gruen Cecilie Hall and the late Hon Michael Watt KC Louis J Hamon OAM Dr Keith Higgins and Dr Jane Joshi Geoff and Denise Illing Dr Alastair Jackson AM John Jones Merv Keehn and Sue Harlow Peter T Kempen AM Suzanne Kirkham Lucas Family Foundation Dr Jane Mackenzie Dr Isabel McLean Gary McPherson The Mercer Family Foundation Anne Neil in memory of Murray A. Neil Newton Family in memory of Rae Rothfield Jan and Keith Richards Dr Sam Ricketson and Dr Rosemary Ayton Andrew and Judy Rogers Guy Ross Kate and Stephen Shelmerdine Foundation Helen Silver AO and Harrison Young Brain Snape AM Dr Michael Soon P & E Turner Mary Waldron Janet Whiting AM and Phil Lukies Dawna Wright and Peter Riedel The Yulgilbar Foundation Igor Zambelli Anonymous (2)

Supporters

Gai and David Taylor

19

Supporters

20

ASSOCIATE PATRONS $2,500+ Margaret and Barry Amond Carolyn Baker Marlyn Bancroft and Peter Bancroft OAM Janet H Bell Alan and Dr Jennifer Breschkin Dr John Brookes and Dr Lucy Hanlon Lynne Burgess Dr Lynda Campbell Oliver Carton Sage Foundation Kaye Cleary Leo de Lange Sandra Dent Sophie E Dougall in memory of Libby Harold Rodney Dux Diane and Stephen Fisher Alex Forrest Steele and Belinda Foster Barry Fradkin OAM and Dr Pam Fradkin Anthony Garvey and Estelle O’Callaghan Janette Gill R Goldberg and Family Goldschlager Family Charitable Foundation Colin Golvan AM KC and Dr Deborah Golvan Charles & Cornelia Goode Foundation Jennifer Gorog Miss Catherine Gray Marshall Grosby and Margie Bromilow Mr Ian Kennedy AM & Dr Sandra Hacker AO Susan and Gary Hearst Gillian Hund OAM and Michael Hund Paul and Amy Jasper Sandy Jenkins Melissa Tonkin & George Kokkinos Dr Jenny Lewis David R Lloyd Carolynne Marks Margaret and John Mason OAM Ian McDonald Dr Paul Nisselle AM Simon O’Brien Roger Parker and Ruth Parker Alan and Dorothy Pattison

Ruth and Ralph Renard James Ring Tom and Elizabeth Romanowski Dr Ronald and Elizabeth Rosanove Christopher Menz and Peter Rose Marshall Segan in memory of Berek Segan OBE AM and Marysia Segan Jeffrey Sher KC and Diana Sher OAM Steinicke Family Jenny Tatchell Christina Turner Shirley and Jeffrey Zajac Anonymous (5)

PLAYER PATRONS ($1,000+) Dr Sally Adams Jessica Agoston Cleary Helena Anderson Margaret Astbury Geoffrey and Vivienne Baker Justine Battistella Michael Bowles & Alma Gill Allen and Kathryn Bloom Richard Bolitho Joyce Bown Stuart Brown Suzie Brown OAM and the late Harvey Brown Roger and Coll Buckle Jill and Christopher Buckley Dr Robin Burns and Dr Roger Douglas Shayna Burns Ronald and Kate Burnstein Daniel Bushaway and Tess Hamilton Peter A Caldwell Alexandra Champion de Crespigny Joshua Chye Breen Creighton and Elsbeth Hadenfeldt Mrs Nola Daley Panch Das and Laurel Young-Das Caroline Davies Rick and Sue Deering John and Anne Duncan Jane Edmanson OAM Grant Fisher and Helen Bird Chris Freelance Applebay Pty Ltd

Ian Merrylees Sylvia Miller Ian Morrey and Geoffrey Minter Anthony and Anna Morton Barry and Diane Mowszowski Laurence O’Keefe and Christopher James George Pappas AO, in memory of Jillian Pappas Susan Pelka Ian Penboss Kerryn Pratchett Peter Priest John Prokupets Professor Charles Qin OAM and Kate Ritchie Michael Riordan and Geoffrey Bush Cathy Rogers OAM and Dr Peter Rogers AM Marie Rowland Jan Ryan Viorica Samson Martin and Susan Shirley P Shore Janet and Alex Starr Dr Peter Strickland Dr Joel and Liora Symons Russell Taylor and Tara Obeyesekere Frank Tisher OAM and Dr Miriam Tisher Margaret Toomey Andrew and Penny Torok Ann and Larry Turner Dr Elsa Underhill and Professor Malcolm Rimmer Jayde Walker Edward and Paddy White Nic and Ann Willcock Lorraine Woolley Dr Kelly and Dr Heathcote Wright C.F. Yeung & Family Philanthropic Fund Demetrio Zema Anonymous (16)

Supporters

David H and Esther Frenkiel Mary Gaidzkar 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 Gwenda Henry Anthony and Karen Ho Rod Home Lorraine Hook Doug Hooley Katherine Horwood Penelope Hughes Jordan Janssen Shyama Jayaswal Basil and Rita Jenkins Emma Johnson Sue Johnston Angela Kayser Drs Bruce and Natalie Kellett Anne and Leonard Kennedy Akira Kikkawa Dr Judith Kinnear Dr Richard Knafelc and Mr Grevis Beard Tim Knaggs Professor David Knowles and Dr Anne McLachlan Dr Jerry Koliha and Marlene Krelle Jane Kunstler Ann Lahore Kerry Landman Janet and Ross Lapworth Bryan Lawrence Phil Lewis Dr Kin Liu Andrew Lockwood Elizabeth H Loftus Chris and Anna Long Wayne McDonald and Kay Schroer Lois McKay Lesley McMullin Foundation Dr Eric Meadows

OVERTURE PATRONS $500+ Margaret Abbey PSM Jane Allan and Mark Redmond Mario M Anders Jenny Anderson Doris Au Lyn Bailey

21

Supporters

22

Robbie Barker Mr Robin Batterham Peter Berry and Amanda Quirk Dr William Birch AM Robert Bridgart Miranda Brockman Dr Robert Brook Robert and Katherine Coco Dr John Collins Warren Collins Gregory Crew Sue Cummings Suzanne Dembo Carol des Cognets Bruce Dudon Dr Catherine Duncan Margaret Flatman Brian Florence Elizabeth Foster M C Friday Simon Gaites David and Geraldine Glenny Hugo and Diane Goetze Louise Gourlay OAM Christine Grenda Dawn Hales George Hampel AM KC and Felicity Hampel AM SC Alison Heard Dr Jennifer Henry Carole and Kenneth Hinchliff William Holder Peter and Jenny Hordern Gillian Horwood Oliver Hutton Rob Jackson Ian Jamieson Wendy Johnson Leonora Kearney Irene Kearsey & Michael Ridley John and Christine Keys Lesley King Heather Law Pauline and David Lawton Paschalina Leach Kay Liu

David Loggia Helen Maclean 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 Marie Misiurak Adrian and Louise Nelson Marian Neumann Ed Newbigin Valerie Newman Dr Judith S Nimmo Amanda O’Brien Brendan O’Donnell Jillian Pappas Phillip Parker Sarah Patterson The Hon Chris Pearce and Andrea Pearce William Ramirez Geoffrey Ravenscroft Dr Christopher Rees Professor John Rickard Fred and Patricia Russell Carolyn Sanders Dr Marc Saunders Julia Schlapp Hon Jim Short and Jan Rothwell Short Madeline Soloveychik Allison Taylor Hugh Taylor and Elizabeth Dax Reverend Angela Thomas Geoffrey Thomlinson Mely Tjandra Chris and Helen Trueman Noel and Jenny Turnbull Rosemary Warnock Amanda Watson Michael Whishaw Deborah and Dr Kevin Whithear OAM Adrian Wigney David Willersdorf AM and Linda Willersdorf Charles and Jill Wright Richard Ye

FUTURE MSO ($1,000+) Justine Battistella Shayna Burns Jessica Agoston Cleary Alexandra Champion de Crespigny Josh Chye Barry Mowszowski Jayde Walker Demetrio Zema

MSO GUARDIANS Jenny Anderson David Angelovich Lesley Bawden Peter Berry and Amanda Quirk Joyce Bown Patricia A Breslin Jenny Brukner and the late John Brukner Peter A Caldwell Luci and Ron Chambers Sandra Dent Sophie E Dougall in memory of Libby Harold Alan Egan JP Gunta Eglite Marguerite Garnon-Williams Dr Clem Gruen and Dr Rhyl Wade Louis J Hamon OAM Charles Hardman and Julianne Bambacas Carol Hay Dr Jennifer Henry Graham Hogarth Rod Home Lyndon Horsburgh Katherine Horwood Tony Howe Lindsay and Michael Jacombs John Jones Pauline and David Lawton Robyn and Maurice Lichter Christopher Menz and Peter Rose Cameron Mowat Laurence O’Keefe and Christopher James David Orr Matthew O’Sullivan

Rosia Pasteur Penny Rawlins Margaret Riches Anne Roussac-Hoyne and Neil Roussac Michael Ryan and Wendy Mead Anne Kieni Serpell and Andrew Serpell Jennifer Shepherd Suzette Sherazee Professors Gabriela and George Stephenson Pamela Swansson Tam Vu and Dr Cherilyn Tillman Peter and the late Elizabeth Turner Michael Ullmer AO The Hon Rosemary Varty Francis Vergona Terry Wills Cooke OAM and the late Marian Wills Cooke Mark Young Anonymous (23) 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 Schembri-Hardy Enid Florence Hookey Gwen Hunt Family and Friends of James Jacoby Audrey Jenkins Joan Jones Pauline Marie Johnston Christine Mary Kellam C P Kemp

Supporters

Anonymous (16)

23

Supporters

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

COMMISSIONING CIRCLE

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

Jean Hadges Prudence Davis

Cecilie Hall and the late Hon Michael Watt KC Saul Lewis

The Hanlon Foundation Abbey Edlin

David Horowicz

Anne-Marie Johnson

Dr Harry Imber

Sarah Curro, Jack Schiller

Margaret Jackson AC

Cecilie Hall and the late Hon Michael Watt KC Tim and Lyn Edward Weis Family

Nicolas Fleury

FIRST NATIONS CIRCLE

Rebecca Proietto

John and Lorraine Bates Equity Trustees Colin Golvan AM KC and Dr Deborah Golvan Maestro Jaime Martín Elizabeth Proust AO and Brian Lawrence Guy Ross The Sage Foundation Michael Ullmer AO and Jenny Ullmer

ADOPT A MUSICIAN Margaret Billson and the late Ted Billson Peter Edwards

Shane Buggle and Rosie Callanan Roger Young

24

Andrew Dudgeon AM

Di Jameson OAM and Frank Mercurio Elina Fashki, Benjamin Hanlon, Tair Khisambeev, Christopher Moore

Peter T Kempen AM Rosemary and the late Douglas Meagher Craig Hill

Professor Gary McPherson Rachel Shaw

Anne Neil

Eleanor Mancini

Newton Family in memory of Rae Rothfield Cong Gu

Patricia Nilsson Natasha Thomas

Andrew and Judy Rogers Michelle Wood

Glenn Sedgwick

Tiffany Cheng, Shane Hooton

Anonymous

Rachael Tobin

MSO ARTISTIC FAMILY

Life Members John Gandel AC and Pauline Gandel AC Jean Hadges Sir Elton John CBE Lady Primrose Potter AC CMRI Jeanne Pratt AC Lady Southey AC Michael Ullmer AO and Jenny Ullmer MSO Ambassador Geoffrey Rush AC

Jaime Martín

The MSO honours the memory of Life Members The late Marc Besen AC and the late Eva Besen AO John Brockman OAM The Honourable Alan Goldberg AO QC Harold Mitchell AC Roger Riordan AM Ila Vanrenen

MSO Chorus Director

MSO BOARD 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

Chief Conductor

Benjamin Northey

Supporters

HONORARY APPOINTMENTS

Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor – Learning and Engagement

Leonard Weiss CF

Cybec Assistant Conductor

Sir Andrew Davis CBE †

Conductor Laureate (2013–2024)

Hiroyuki Iwaki †

Conductor Laureate (1974–2006)

Warren Trevelyan-Jones 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

Artistic Ambassadors Xian Zhang Tan Dun Lu Siqing

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)

25

Thank you to our Partners PRINCIPAL PARTNER

PREMIER PARTNER

VENUE PARTNER

INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM PARTNER

MAJOR PARTNERS

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

ORCHESTRAL TRAINING PARTNER

EDUCATION PARTNERS

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

Quest Southbank

Ernst & Young

MEDIA AND BROADCAST PARTNERS

TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS

Freemasons Foundation Victoria

Flora & Frank Leith Trust, Sidney Myer MSO Trust Fund