Summer in the Bowl

Volume 8 Number 1 January 9 - February 12 2012

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the University of Melbourne will bring internationally acclaimed conductors and musicians to the Melbourne public in a free concert series this summer.  By Katherine Smith

Celebrated conductor Benjamin Northey will be among the nine alumnae of the University of Melbourne performing for the MSO’s Sidney Myer Free Concerts in February – continuing a 52-year tradition of free music in the iconic outdoor music space.

Presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in association with the University of Melbourne, the concerts have established a reputation as festive events that bring beautiful music and internationally-acclaimed conductors and musicians to the Melbourne public.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (University Affairs) Warren Bebbington, formerly Dean and Ormond Chair of Music, explains that the series offers an opportunity to follow the trajectory of Melbourne graduates who have gone on to take their places in the MSO rows.

“When Sidney Myer created the series nearly 80 years ago, the orchestra was a mix of students and professionals, managed by the University, and conducted by our professor of music, Bernard Heinze,” Professor Bebbington says. “Now the public hears the fully-professional Melbourne Symphony, and thanks to Myer, entirely free of charge.” The first concert will deliver a program of Russian music by Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky under the baton of Simon Hewett, while Benjamin Northey will present a program of Copland, Hindson/Barton and Sibelius, featuring William Barton on didjeridoo. The latter will be an evocation of musical landscape, travelling through Mexico, Australia and ending in Finland.

The two final concerts will be infused with buoyant Latin American style, conducted by Venezuela’s Diego Matheuz, described by the MSO as the new sensation among international conductors.

Melbourne alumnae who are members of the MSO include: Eric Klay, Principal Bass Trombone, a position he has held since 1977; Vicki Philipson, Associate Principal Oboe; Sarah Morce, Associate Principal Cello; Elise Millman, bassoon; Christine Turpin, percussion; Sylvia Hosking, Assistant Principal Bass; Lorraine Hook, violin; and Prudence Davis, flute.

Concerts are scheduled for: February 15, 18, 22 and 25 at 7pm.

www.mso.com.au