Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) welcomes Concertmaster Kate Suthers, new Artist In Association Emily Sun, and inaugural Emerging Composer In Association Jakub Jankowski. Plus, their 2023 season is here.
The season presents a musical tapestry of timeless classics, and creative voices of today, and the finest conductors from home and abroad. Symphony Series, Matinee Series and Sanctuary Series all return, in addition to some Special Events and Showcase Series set to introduce new audiences to the orchestra for the first time ever.
Throughout 2023, expect 46 concerts, 3 world premieres, 6 Australian premieres and international conductors and world-renowned soloists. A total of 19 conductors and 26 soloists, along with the orchestra, will perform music from 55 composers from the past and present.
“Releasing the season into the world is a bit like having a baby – you’ve been there during the gestation period, being careful to nurture your creation, and then the day arrives!” ASO Managing Director Vincent Ciccarello says. The 2023 season is his last in the role.
“You’re excited to introduce your baby to the world but, at the same time, a bit nervous.”
“I am really very proud of our 2023 season, as it represents the steady but deliberate progress the ASO has made over the past nine years, to better reflect our society and the community we serve while remaining true to our musical past,” he says.
“I leave the ASO with many fond memories, proud to have had the privilege of leading this important cultural institution and with it sounding as glorious as ever.”
Opening and closing out the season is 'Orchestra Unwrapped: The magic of the orchestra' and 'Christmas Unwrapped: The magic of Christmas', with music maestro and jovial host Guy Noble.
Meanwhile, ASO's flagship Symphony Series features eight programmes of big, bold, electrifying music, guaranteed to heighten emotions and enrich the soul. Female composers are celebrated in each of the concerts including some of the 19th century's most brilliant composing women and present and up-and-coming composing women.
Of the 55 composers throughout the season, 8 are from Australian composers and 8 are from female composers, with 3 world premieres.
Symphony Series 2 Wild features a new major violin concerto from Elena Kats-Chernin, and Symphony Series 4 Embrace sees Adelaide's own Anne Cawrse composing a Marimba Concerto. Symphony Series 5 Vitality opens with the Australian premiere of 'Starburst' from Jessie Montgomery and young British composer Grace-Evangeline Mason's new work 'The Imagined Forest' receives its Australian premiere in Symphony Series 6 Dreams.
The ASO crowd-pleasing Showcase Series makes a return in 2023 – a testament to the orchestra's ability to play all different styles and genres of music.
'Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix In Concert' will see the film displayed on a giant screen in high-definition while the ASO, conducted by Nicholas Buc, performs Nicholas Hooper's score at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Family concert 'Lights! Camera! Symphony' will reintroduce crowds to exciting music from the screen, led by film score aficionado Nicholas Buc.
Special events of the season include 'Rachmaninov: The Piano Concertos', 'Creation: A Spiritual Sound Picture Of Bundjalung History', 'Sacred And Profane: An exploration of the spiritual and sublime', and 'Sanctuary Series: Be transformed by the restorative power of music'.
Check out the full season.
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra 2023 season begins with 'Orchestra Unwrapped: The magic of the orchestra’.
