The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has a busy and unusually challenging month ahead as the musicians cater to a wide range of music lovers. In a fortnight that begins with Broadway classics, featuring well-known artists, the MSO moves towards Mahler’s epic Third Symphony, with more than a nod to Berlioz’s Faust along the way.
Here are the details of all three programs as provided by the orchestra.
Bryn Terfel and Lisa McCune sing Broadway classics.
(March 14-15)
International superstar bass-baritone Bryn Terfel joins Lisa McCune, Australia’s sweetheart of the stage, for this thrilling night of Broadway classics. Raconteur, conductor and musician par excellence, Bramwell Tovey will lead the orchestra and tinkle the ivories in this program of classic show tunes from legendary songwriters including Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein and Lerner and Loewe, with songs from musicals such as Into the Woods, Carousel, Anything Goes, Camelot, The King and I and Fiddler on the Roof.
Bramwell Tovey conductor/piano
Lisa McCune vocalist
Bryn Terfel bass-baritone
Berlioz The Damnation of Faust
(March 20-21)
Don’t miss this definitive performance of Berlioz’s genre-defying “concert opera” featuring the dynamic pairing of MSO Chief Conductor Sir Andrew Davis, and celebrated Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel as the demon Mephistopheles. Based on Goethe’s legendary dramatic poem Faust about a man who sells his soul to the devil, this concert performance of Berlioz’s masterpiece is a must-see event for music lovers.
Sir Andrew Davis conductor
Renata Pokupi mezzo-soprano (Marguerite)
Andrew Staples tenor (Faust)
Bryn Terfel bass-baritone (Mephistopheles)
Shane Lowrencev bass (Brander)
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Men of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
Mahler Symphony No.3
(March 20-22)
In the second year of Sir Andrew Davis’ Mahler cycle, the Maestro conducts the composer’s wildly expansive Third Symphony: a grand hymn to creation, epic in scale and ambition. Untamed and compelling, its riotous textures and harmonies reflect the natural world at its most vivid.
Sir Andrew Davis conductor
Sasha Cooke mezzo-soprano
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus
National Boys Choir of Australia
As well, in March the MSO is hosting sessions of Up Close and Musical, Family Jams, Open Rehearsals – and even a party!
For details of dates and bookings, go to the MSO’s website.
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The picture is of Bryn Terfel who appears in two contrasting programs as a guest with the MSO.
