The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra invites music lovers to keep the music going this Thursday evening (2 April 2020) at 7.30pm with a special online premiere concert featuring a Stravinsky double-bill: Rite of Spring and the rarely-performed Perséphone.
In this extraordinary performance, Sir Andrew Davis guides the Orchestra through two of Stravinsky’s acclaimed works – one wild, riot-inducing and revolutionary, the other a lyrical, little-known and sublime masterpiece.
Performed for the first time in more than 50 years in Australia by the MSO in 2019, Stravinsky’s Perséphone is an enormous musical undertaking which features 250 musicians on stage, including 180 choristers from the MSO Chorus, Australian Girls Choir and National Boys Choir of Australia. Mezzo Lotte Betts-Dean and tenor Paul Groves join the massive ensemble.
Premiering in Paris in 1913, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring is one of the most well-known works in the classical canon, regularly performed at special occasions around the world. The two works, written 21 years apart at two very different stages of Stravinsky’s career, are brought together on the one stage in this intimate enjoy-from-home concert.
MSO Managing Director Sophie Galaise said the Orchestra was very proud to be delivering the best in classical music performance to homes around Australia and the globe. “The MSO’s livestreams and pre-recorded concerts have been collectively viewed by nearly 150,000 people around the world in just two weeks,” she said.
“The Orchestra is honoured to present this ongoing online concert series, it is important to keep the music going and remain socially connected. We invite family and friends to share these performances with each other across the internet, and remain musically united.”
“It is important to note that our online performances were recorded prior to the stage three coronovirus restrictions, with gatherings limited to just two people. Our musicians are our top priority and they are not at risk. For many MSO musicians, these online concerts are an opportunity for them to experience their own performance from home!”
“We have evolved to a new online performance model and are adapting our performances to align with any new advice from the government,’’ said Ms Galaise.
Each Sunday, the MSO will also present its Sunday Sessions series at 3.00pm featuring pre-recorded chamber ensemble concerts curated by Principal Viola Christopher Moore. This Sunday (5 April) will feature MSO String Duo, Sophie Rowell (violin) and Christopher Moore (viola), performing Martinu’s Madrigals, recorded earlier this month.
The program on Thursday 2 April commences at 7.30pm and is conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. The double-bill features tenor Paul Groves, narrator Lotte Betts-Dean, Australian Girls Choir, National Boys Choir of Australia and the MSO Chorus – performing Stravinsky’s Perséphone and The Rite of Spring.
For more information, visit: www.mso.com.au for details, or stay tuned to MSO’s social media platforms for updates on upcoming online concerts and more.
Image: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – photo by Daniel Aulsebroo