With COVID-19 restrictions still in place to varying degrees right across the country, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) feels fortunate that in South Australia they enjoy many luxuries that their eastern states comrades are not so fortunate to have.
There sights have been set firmly on returning to the stage, and are excited to be able to welcome you to a concert very soon. However, there are still many things to consider and, for the time being, the ASO is unable to return to concert-giving as they knew it.
This is due to several factors, including restrictions on travel (both nationally and internationally) affecting the ability of their soloists and conductors to be in South Australia. This, along with social distancing, has an impact on each performance venue’s capacity and the concert’s financial viability.
At the forefront of their endeavours is their commitment to you, their patrons, to keep you safe, and are striving to come up with innovative ways to present the ASO. The good news is they are back performing, albeit in smaller ensembles. They are pleased to be able to provide you with the opportunity to see the ASO live on stage, at the following events:
Sanctuary – a series of FREE community concerts across metropolitan Adelaide in August. To find your nearest Community Centre concert and details on how to secure your seat visit the ASO website.
Orchestra Fantastica – a program presented in schools across Adelaide in August with presenter Peter Duggan, singer Susan Ferguson and 12 ASO musicians, who bring the instruments to life through song, dance and actions to encourage active engagement with music. This concert is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about the way instruments are played and to hear them up close in a relaxed safe school setting.
Classics Unwrapped (Barossa Arts Centre, Saturday 29 August) – this performance will proceed as scheduled, presented by ASO Managing Director Vincent Ciccarello, soprano Desiree Frahn and guest conductor Dane Lam. The concert will be performed with a reduced capacity and appropriate social distancing.
Mozart at Elder 3 (Wednesday 7 October) and Mozart at Elder 4 (Wednesday 2 December) – these performances will proceed as planned. The concerts will be performed with reduced capacities and appropriate social distancing. These two events are currently sold out.
Summer of the Seventh Doll (14 – 20 November, Her Majesty’s Theatre) – State Opera of South Australia. Based on Ray Lawler’s 1955 Australian play of the same name, this chamber opera tells the story of a long-standing tradition at the end of the sugarcane season, in which cane-cutters Barney and Roo travel south to Melbourne for their annual fling with two city girls. But this year, the seventeenth year, is different. Gone are the larrikin summers of their youth. Instead, their reunion is full of tension, silence, and awkward attempts to hold onto their past.
The ASO will continue to present Virtual Concert Hall offerings and, for those who missed the previous performances, these are now offered as Encore events available weekly for your online viewing pleasure. The ASO is also working on a Chamber Series of Virtual Concert Hall performances, so you can see more of the ASO musicians you know and love performing in a virtual concert soon.
Based on current advice and social distancing restrictions in place, along with travel restrictions, the ASO has made the difficult decision to cancel or postpone a number of concerts in the remaining months of 2020. Click here to view the list. All ticket holders to the events listed will be contacted directly regarding refunds, credits and donations in the coming days.
The ASO looks forward to being able to entertain, motivate and inspire their audiences. They appreciate your patience and support in what are exceptional times. For more information, visit: www.aso.com.au for details.
Image: Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (supplied)