THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA 2017 SEASON BROCHURE

THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA

2017

About TMO Under the baton of Founding Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams, The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO) is recognised as one of the country’s most versatile orchestras delivering accessible, first-class and consistently vibrant concert experiences. TMO’s annual season includes a variety of events tailored to different demographics from their highly acclaimed and regularly sold-out Met Concert series, to audience outreach programs, development programs for composers and performers, performances for young audiences and newly arrived refugees, international tours, free concerts and more. The orchestra’s sparkling eight year history includes a starstudded array of performances including concerts with Sumi Jo (Opera House), David Helfgott (City Recital Hall), Elaine Paige (State Theatre), John Farnham with Olivia Newton-John (Entertainment Centre and Tempus Two), James Morrison (The Concourse), Kate Ceberano (Opera House); special events such as BBC’s Blue Planet and Planet Earth in Concert (Opera House), Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular (Opera House and Entertainment Centre), Opera in the Vineyards (Wyndham Estate and Roche Estate), the National Rugby League Grand Final and sailing the South Pacific annually as resident orchestra aboard the Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts.

Other renowned artists who have appeared with TMO include Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Anthony Warlow, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, David Hobson, Marina Prior and the Grigoryan Brothers. For more information please visit: www.metorchestra.com.au

2017 Overview In 2017, The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO) continues its meteoric rise as Australia's most dynamic orchestra with passion-fuelled music, exciting repertoire and country-leading support of home grown classical music talent.

TMO’s highly regarded flagship MET CONCERT series will feature symphonic masterpieces from Mahler, Shostakovich, Brahms, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff while continuing its inspiring support of Australian composers and artists with six world premiere compositions in addition to showcasing some of Australia’s finest soloists. In 2017, TMO proudly continues their family focused CUSHION CONCERT series delivered at friendly local venues, and enters the second year of their innovative COMPOSER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM discovering and celebrating emerging Australian composers. Highlighting their flexibility and depth of performance scope is a range of SPECIAL EVENTS including a free outdoor concert (in partnership with the Inner West Council), an outreach performance in the Blue Mountains, an intimate performance with the Cellists of TMO, and returning for their fourth year as resident orchestra aboard the world's leading classical music cruise, Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts, with headliner José Carreras, Guy Noble, Ray Martin, David Hobson, Marina Prior, Taryn Fiebig, Emma Pask and more.

Index

About TMO | 2017 overview Messages MET CONCERT SERIES CUSHION CONCERT SERIES Special Events FIND US | MANAGEMENT | MUSICIANS SPONSORS | SUPPORT SUBSCRIPTIONS

Messages

SARAH-GRACE WILLIAMS

Artistic Director & Chief Conductor It is with immense pleasure and pride that I welcome you to The Metropolitan Orchestra's 2017 season, our ninth year of producing exhilarating performances that celebrate home grown talent. TMO consists of Sydney's most dynamic and vibrant musicians and our 2017 season is going to pack a punch! We are showcasing some of Australia’s finest soloists and coupling some of the greatest symphonic repertoire ever written which has stood the test of time, alongside an inspiring six world premieres written

by Australian composers.

We have variety for you too – from our main stage Met Concerts to our family Cushion Concerts, a free outdoor concert, exclusive performances, outreach performances and numerous special events, there is something for all tastes, locations and ages. I am particularly thrilled to be conducting four world premieres discovered during our inaugural Composer Development Program in 2016, and I’m eager to meet the new composers that we unearth as the program enters its second year. In 2017 we continue our mission to support exceptionally talented young musicians with the launch of another brand new initiative, TMO's Young Artist Program. As we continue breaking down the barriers to exceptional fine music, please tell your friends and family and bring someone new with you to a TMO concert in 2017. I can’t wait to share another brilliant year with you.

BEVAN RIGATO General Manager TMO are triumphantly continuing our mission of breaking down the traditional barriers to fine music so that more people can experience passionate musicians performing exceptional concerts. Now entering our ninth year, we are proud of our incredible journey to become one of Australia’s leading privately run, not-forprofit orchestras. The challenges of running an orchestra in Sydney, without any significant State or Federal Government funding is a contest we are faced with on a day-to-day basis. It is a basic fact that arts companies such as TMO require the passion, brilliance and financial generosity of philanthropic and corporate supporters to thrive. We are so very thankful for our current partnerships and personal donors.

However, we continue to seek financial supporters and partnership opportunities with passionate music lovers who share our ideal of making Sydney the cultural music icon that we believe it can be. We are excited about welcoming new corporate relationships and individual supporters on our shared music making voyage.

GUY NOBLE

TROY GRANT

It is my great privilege to be patron of TMO, and to welcome you to another season of great music making. Orchestras are so delightfully 18th Century, created on instruments that are sometimes older than modern Australia itself, blown and scraped and plucked by artisans of their craft. You can digitise the sound, you can video a concert and mp3 it and send it across the world, but you can never truly recreate the feeling of being at a live concert, with live musicians, being part of a live audience. The shared experience is what it is all about. So for another year, I recommend the health benefits of going to see TMO, Sydney’s most welcoming orchestra, and leaving refreshed, invigorated and ready for another day.

With another sensational program in 2017, The Metropolitan Orchestra continues to enthral and delight audiences with a diverse and passionate group of home grown musicians taking centre stage. The Metropolitan Orchestra is delivering fresh and inspiring experiences for both musicians and audiences alike. Under the guidance of one of the country’s most respected conductors, Sarah-Grace Williams, the 2017 program will feature all the favourites as well as new performances that I have no doubt everyone will enjoy. I wish everyone a successful 2017 season.

Patron

NSW Minister for the Arts

MET CONCERT SERIES

Presented by Cruiseco

TMO’s mainstage classical concert series will feature symphonic masterpieces from Mahler, Shostakovich, Brahms, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff alongside four world premiere performances. In 2017, TMO continue their mission of delivering exceptional concert experiences from intimate, welcoming local venues throughout the Sydney Metropolitan area.

Met Concert ONE

MASTERWORKS 8pm Saturday 4 March

Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre In the first Met Concert for 2017, TMO happily welcomes back young virtuoso violinist and audience favourite, Anna Da Silva Chen for Sibelius’ beautiful Violin Concerto. Almost 20 years in the making, Brahms' first symphony is a tour de force that has become legendarily timeless in this evening of true masterworks.

SIBELIUS Violin Concerto BRAHMS Symphony #1 Soloist:

Anna Da Silva Chen

Met Concert TWO

From Russia with love 8pm Saturday 6 May

Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre

GLINKA Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto #2 COYLE The Bright Seraphim* World Premiere SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony #9 Piano: Benjamin Kopp *Trumpet: Anthony Heinrichs The exuberant Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla sets the pace of heroic energy in this Russian inspired evening. TMO welcomes back much-loved pianist Benjamin Kopp in this concert which boasts two soloists and a world premiere from Australian composer Jim Coyle featuring Sydney Symphony trumpeter, Anthony Heinrichs. Shostakovich’s ninth symphony is the perfect end to this evening of passion and Russian fervour.

Met Concert THREE

SUMPTUOUS STRINGS 8pm Saturday 15 July Sydney Congress Hall

BARBER HOLST PIAZZOLLA

Adagio for Strings St. Paul's Suite Double Concerto

arr: Duo Histoire

World Premiere

Soloists:

Duo Histoire (Nicholas Russoniello, Saxophone & Murilo Tanouye, Guitar)

GRIEG MENDELSSOHN

Holberg Suite String Symphony #10

Originally written for bandoneon and guitar, Piazzolla’s Double Concerto has been rearranged for saxophone and guitar in this unique world premiere event. Alongside sensational string compositions from Barber, Holst, Grieg and Mendelssohn, this concert of audience favourites will be TMO’s first within the warm surrounds of the Sydney Congress Hall.

Met Concert FOUR

Extraordinary Firsts 8pm Saturday 16 September Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre

UBRIHIEN

MAHLER

Mestizo Suite

World Premiere

Symphony #1

Gustav Mahler’s outstanding first symphony cannot fail to stir the soul and leave one with a determined sense that the human spirit can triumph over anguish and loneliness. In a work which was considered crazily ambitious for its time, this magnificent symphony changed the genre forever. Opening with one of the most spellbinding moments of symphonic inspiration from the 19th century, this performance presented without interval will be a true journey of emotion and imagination.

This exhilarating evening of extraordinary firsts will also introduce Australian composer Nigel Ubrihien, one of the brilliant finalists from TMO's inaugural Composer Development Program (2016), with the world premiere performance of his Mestizo Suite.

Met Concert FIVE

NEW BEGINNINGS 8pm Saturday 25 November Sydney Congress Hall

SHANNON RODRIGO BEETHOVEN

Sequence and Variation World Premiere Guitar Concerto Symphony #3 'Eroica'

Guitar:

Giuseppe Zangari

Rodrigo's best-known work established his reputation as one of the most significant Spanish composers of the twentieth century. Australian soloist Giuseppe Zangari joins TMO for the first time in this magnificent guitar concerto. A world premiere performance of Heather Shannon’s Sequence and Variation exposes a second finalist from TMO’s inaugural Composer Development Program (2016) in another new beginning. Beethoven’s third symphony is often considered a turning point in the history of music and a change in Beethoven’s career; what more fitting way to bring TMO’s ninth season to a triumphant end.

CUSHION CONCERT SERIES

Supported by Inner West Council An interactive series that invites young audiences and their families to get up close and personal to TMO in a kid-friendly environment. Children can bring their cushions and rugs to these shorter concerts (without interval) in the morning and early afternoon and sit on the floor where they can see, hear and interact with the music and the musicians.

Cushion Concert ONE

Cushion Concert TWO

11am & 1pm Sat 27 May & Sun 28 May

11am & 1.30pm Saturday 5 August

Hear birds singing, lions roaring, elephants stomping and even an Unhappy Aardvark, all played by the orchestra! With excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, SaintSaëns' Carnival of the Animals, RimskyKorsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee, Bach’s Sheep May Safely Graze and more, there’s something for all family members in this fun concert that will ignite little imaginations as they explore the orchestra in a kid-friendly environment.

How do you make an epic family concert?

Take a full symphony orchestra, add some of the greatest film music of all time from movies such as Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Trek, Batman, ET, Star Wars, Apollo 13 and The Mission, then add two world premiere compositions by Australian composers Yusaku Abiko and Adrian Hallam – That’s how! Come dressed as your favourite movie character and join the fun in this action-packed concert!

Animal Adventures Balmain Town Hall

MOVIES, DREAMS & ADVENTURES Petersham Town Hall

SPECIAL EVENTS TMO performs in a number of special events throughout the year which are open to the public. 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 our website at www.metorchestra.com.au and sign up to receive our e-newsletter or Like Us on Facebook to stay in touch with any new and exciting performances involving TMO throughout 2017.

CLASSICS AT CALLAN PARK

THE CELLISTS OF TMO

Callan Park, Rozelle

Leichhardt Town Hall

4pm Sunday 26 March

3pm Sunday 9 April

Grab your family and friends, a picnic basket and rug for this FREE outdoor concert presented by the Inner West Council.

Performed in the gorgeous sandstone setting of Sydney College of the Arts in Callan Park, TMO will perform a selection of the most beautiful chamber music as the sun sets on an Autumn evening.

The Cellists of TMO will once again dazzle the audience with a combination of outstanding classics, new music and exciting re-works of known favourites.

Presented as part of the Inner West Council's Site and Sound Arts festival, experience the warm sound of the cello times eight!

HYDRO Majestic concert

COMPOSER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

Hydro Majestic, Medlow Bath

Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC

7pm Saturday 22 July

The Majestic Concert offers an exclusive experience for those wanting a little indulgence. Enjoy a sumptuous evening dinner with cocktail package from the stunning ballroom at the iconic Hydro Majestic in the Blue Mountains while enveloping yourself in beautiful orchestral music from TMO under Chief Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams.

10-5pm Friday 11 August Four Australian composers will have their compositions workshopped with full orchestra during this final event of TMO's three month Composer Development Program. Be there to experience the process as each work comes to life.

These exciting workshop sessions are open to the public, schools and anyone interested in the composition process.

BRavo! Cruise of the performing arts with JOSÉ CARRERAS October 31 - November 7

Sailing from Sydney to the South Pacific Set sail for seven nights with TMO aboard the luxurious Radiance of the Seas as they return for a fourth year as resident orchestra of Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts. Cruising the South Pacific and featuring a star-studded lineup, Bravo! is the biggest gathering of artists from the world of performing arts ever assembled on water.

From world-renowned opera sensations and theatrical favourites to acclaimed classical performers, Bravo! is an allconsuming musical experience. Led

by TMO Patron Guy Noble, performers appearing with TMO will include JosĂŠ Carreras, Ray Martin, David Hobson, Marina Prior, Taryn Fiebig, Emma Pask and more.

Presented by Choose Your Cruise.

FIND US

The Metropolitan Orchestra

metorchestra.com.au

metorchestra_aus

PO BOX 625 Balmain NSW 2041

The Metropolitan Orchestra

02 8004 3472

@TheMetOrchestra

VENUE LOCATIONS EUGENE GOOSSENS HALL SYDNEY CONGRESS HALL PETERSHAM TOWN HALL BALMAIN TOWN HALL LEICHHARDT TOWN HALL HYDRO MAJESTIC HOTEL SYDNEY COLLEGE OF THE ARTS

ABC Centre, 700 Harris St, Ultimo 140 Elizabeth St, Sydney 107 Crystal St, Petersham 370 Darling St, Balmain 107 Norton St, Leichhardt 52-88 Great Western Hwy, Medlow Bath Kirkbride Way, Lilyfield

Management & Operations ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CHIEF CONDUCTOR Sarah-Grace Williams GENERAL MANAGER Bevan Rigato FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Bernard Walz SECRETARY Sarajane Kirkaldy-Hansen CHIEF MUSIC LIBRARIAN Svetlana Yaroslavskaya OPERATIONS MANAGER Sean Moloney ASSISTANT TO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Nataliya Lukich ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR

Greg Jones OPERATIONS Andrew Doyle, Laura Piplica, Kathryn Ramsay,

Alisha Coward, Mar’yana Sywak, Mark Szeto, Murray Parker, Francesca Italia PROGRAM NOTES

Andrew Doyle PATRON Guy Noble BROCHURE PHOTOGRAPHY All photographs of The Metropolitan Orchestra in concert and on location by John B Chen.

Front cover image by Brigitte Grant Photography.

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.

MUSICIANS VIOLIN Dominique Guerbois+, Caron Chan+,

Lindsay Irik*, Nataliya Lukich*, Catrina Hughes#, Alexis Adjuk, Sarah Anthony, Lidia Bara, Gulia Bayjanova-Kab, Angela Cassar, Amy Cohen, Kathryn Crossing, Katherine Finch, Clare Fulton, Nan Heo, Anthea Hetherington, Amanda Hoh, Maria Isaac, Caroline Kelly, Peter Krajniak, Emlyn LewisJones, Jessica Love, Jackie McCaughan, Dominic Meagher, Christina Mills, Lily MullinChivers, Sagar Nagaraj, Katrina Papallo, Renae Pinazza, Paul Pokorny, Denisa SmeuKireanu, Elisabetta Sonego, Jane Stanley, Ela Stopa-Zbikowska, Mar’yana Sywak, Carol Tang, Clare Vohland

VIOLA Irina Andreeva*, Georgina Price*, AlinaAndreea Zamfir#, Robyn Botha, Lucy CarrigyRyan, Elizabeth D’Olier, Josephine Lumanau, Lucy Macken, Monique Mezzatesta, Laura Piplica, Kathryn Ramsay, Carl St. Jacques, Viktoria Vukovich, Dan Williams CELLO John Benz*, Steve Meyer*, Ezmi Pepper*, Caroline Hobbs#, Michael Bardon, Julienne Guerbois, Emily Palethorpe, Jessica Quarmby, Sally Schinckel-Brown, Nazli Sendurgut, Paul Taylor BASS Jeremy Fox*, Mark Szeto*, Nicole Murray-Prior*, Steven Adler, Jessica Holmes, John Ockwell

CLARINET Andrew Doyle*, Alisha Coward#, Evan Guy, John Mete

BASSOON

Anthony Grimm*, Sarajane Kirkaldy-Hansen*, Long Nguyen, Alison Wormell, Peta Goh

HORN Michael Wray*, Tina Brain, Adrian

Hallam, Gemma Lawton, Neil O’Donnell, Julia Zeltzer, Kate Cousins

TRUMPET Jenna Smith*, Ray Cassar*, Alfie Carslake, Simon Hilberding, Jessica Kesby, Brody Linke, Sam Thompson, Tyler Wilkerson

TROMBONE Jacob Shaw*, Mark Brown, Gareth Lewis, Darcy Shevlin, Mitchell Nissen

TUBA Scott Francombe* TIMPANI Murray Parker* PERCUSSION Philip South*, Chiron Meller*,

Tim Brigden, Anita Cook, Rebecca LloydJones, Tim Paillas, Helen Parker, Damian Pigot

HARP Owen Torr*, Georgia Lowe, Kate Moloney^

PIANO

Bernard Walz*, Vincent Colaguiri, Bev Kennedy

FLUTE Svetlana Yaroslavskaya*, Jacinta Mikus, Lucie Benz, Vanessa Couper, Alexandra Castle OBOE Rie Tamaru*, Matthew Bubb*, Aaron Reichelt#, Alex Fontaine, Zoe Sitsky

+ Concertmaster * Principal Player # Associate Principal Player ^ TMO Young Artist

Thank You To Our Key Sponsors Presenting Partner

Concerto Sponsor

Overture Sponsors Fine Music, 102.5 FM BeWrite Business Writing & Marketing Group JBI Images - Official Photographer Teddington Legal Pyrmont New Music

Support TMO As a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity, TMO relies on the passionate support of bussinesses and philanthropists to join our mission to make exceptional orchestral music easier to enjoy for more people across Sydney. Backed by a dedicated team and energised musicians, we have a steadfast and long-term plan to raise the profile of the genre.

OUR ACCESSIBLE MUSIC PLAN 1. Accessibility: Continue to break down the barriers to high quality classical music.

2. Opportunity: Provide performance opportunities for passionate musicians at the highest levels.

3. New Work: Develop, promote and perform new Australian works.

4. Edutainment: (Education/Entertainment) Bring TMO touring professionals into schools to give insight on musicianship and performance.

5. Regional: Find ways to present the finest classical music at regional centres.

6. Indigenous: Engage young Indigenous performers and classical music professionals.

PERSONAL SUPPORT Philanthropic support is fundamental for our ability to continue delivering on our mission, as it is to our very survival. We thank all of our donors immeasurably for their support and love of the arts. Donations over $2.00 are fully tax deductible.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP & SUPPORT Corporate sponsorships are tailored to suit each business. These can include a range of exclusive benefits, opportunities and exposure. By supporting this premium-standard orchestra that is not afraid to push boundaries and take risks, you not only prove your support for the arts, but support for achievement and exceptional standards of quality. Give your staff and key clients the gift of a first-class intimate musical experience. Contact us to discuss more.

For more support and sponsorship information, visit www.metorchestra.com.au or contact our General Manager on 02 8004 3472.

2017 Subscription Packages

ON SALE NOW Purchase your Subscription Package before Christmas for huge savings!

For full season details and ticketing information please visit www.metorchestra.com.au or call 02 8004 3472

PO BOX 625 BALMAIN NSW 2041 info@metorchestra.com.au