The Orchestra of Western Sydney

2016

CONCERT SEASON

Orchestra-in-Residence at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre

2016

CONCERT SE

I invite you to enjoy a musical feast of richly varied symphonic, operatic and sacred music with Penrith Symphony Orchestra in 2016. SYMPHONY CONCERTS Among the many highlights are two of the greatest fifth symphonies (Beethoven and Tchaikovsky), while we also complete our Brahms cycle with his second symphony, and perform a world premiere by young Australian Richard Hair. Our dazzling line-up of concerto soloists includes Sydney Symphony principal players David Elton (trumpet) and Kirsten Williams (violin), and an exciting young piano virtuoso, Julia Gu. VERDI REQUIEM A central pillar of the season is Verdi’s colossal Requiem – a first for Penrith and an event not to be missed. With the generous support of Opera Australia, we welcome four stellar soloists, while our local chorus will be augmented by the elite Sydney Chamber Choir. OPERA IN THE Q In our fifth year of opera performances, we are excited to include a season of two productions. In a collaboration with one of Sydney’s newest opera companies, Operantics, we present their highly-acclaimed production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte as well as our first complete opera in concert, Bellini’s La sonnambula. CHILDREN’S CONCERTS We welcome the dynamic duo, conductor George Ellis and jazz violinist/entertainer George Washingmachine, in their unique show, The Conductor and The Clown. With great music and side-splitting fun, these educational concerts are also first-rate family entertainment. MESSIAH The year draws to a close with Handel’s timeless and much-loved oratorio, Messiah, co-presented with Penrith City Choir. SUBSCRIBE (AND SAVE) The best way to enjoy the Penrith Symphony Orchestra season, and to support the orchestra, is to subscribe. A range of subscription packages is available, offering substantial savings and enabling you to combine symphony concerts and opera performances in a single subscription.

David Cervi - President

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EASON PENRITH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Artistic Director: Paul Terracini

SYMPHONY CONCERTS BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH SATURDAY 12 MARCH

Works by BEETHOVEN and CHOPIN

RUSSIAN SPLENDOUR SATURDAY 21 MAY

Works by SHOSTAKOVICH, HAIR, ARUTIUNIAN and TCHAIKOVSKY

VERDI REQUIEM SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER

DVORˇ ÁK, WIENIAWSKI, BRAHMS SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER

OPERA IN THE Q MOZART

COSÌ FAN TUTTE

SATURDAY 6 AUGUST

BELLINI

LA SONNAMBULA

SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER

THE CONDUCTOR AND THE CLOWN SUNDAY 19 JUNE

A concert for children, starring GEORGE ELLIS and GEORGE WASHINGMACHINE

MESSIAH SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER

co-presented with Penrith City Choir

BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH Photo of Julia Gu: Joh n Kim

BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH SATURDAY 12 MARCH, 8.00PM

PAUL TERRACINI conductor JULIA GU piano BEETHOVEN

Coriolan Overture

CHOPIN

Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor

BEETHOVEN

Symphony No. 5 in C minor

Taking inspiration from the impending invasion of Rome by the legendary general Coriolanus, Beethoven’s Coriolan overture is a fitting opener for a concert featuring his momentous Fifth Symphony. That stormy, heroic symphony was written during a time of turmoil – for Beethoven, as his deafness increased, and for Europe, in the face of Napoleon’s advancing army. This season’s featured young soloist, eighteen-yearold Julia Gu, won the Conservatorium High School’s 2015 Concerto Competition playing the second piano concerto of a similarly youthful Chopin. The multi-awardwinning rising star is now studying in Hamburg and returns to Australia especially for this performance.

RUSSIAN SPENDOUR SATURDAY 21 MAY, 8.00PM

PAUL TERRACINI conductor DAVID ELTON trumpet SHOSTAKOVICH

Festive Overture

HAIR

Perpetuum Mobile (world premiere)

ARUTIUNIAN

Trumpet Concerto in A flat major

TCHAIKOVSKY

Symphony No. 5 in E minor

Three voices of Russia: a festive overture commissioned for a commemoration of the Revolution; a sparkling concerto infused with the gypsy-like sounds of Armenia; and a grand symphony full of aching sorrow, searing passion and dramatic gestures. The virtuosic trumpet concerto by Soviet/Armenian composer Alexander Arutiunian is one of the most popular works in the twentieth-century repertoire for the instrument. Its fiery rhythms will sizzle in the hands of Sydney Symphony principal trumpet, David Elton. Richard Hair’s Perpetuum Mobile is a youthful composer’s exploration in symphonic texture and was a runner-up in the 2009 2MBS-FM/Willoughby Symphony Young Composer Award. This is its first performance.

Photo of David Elton:

Keith Saunders

RUSSIAN SPLENDOUR

Soloist photos by cou rtesy of Opera Austral ia

VERDI REQUIEM

VERDI REQUIEM SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER, 8.00PM PAUL TERRACINI conductor ANNABELLE CHAFFEY soprano ANNA YUN mezzo-soprano JIN TEA KIM tenor ADRIAN TAMBURINI bass LUCY MCALARY chorus director VERDI

Messa da Requiem (Requiem Mass)

Verdi’s setting of the Latin Mass for the Dead is like no other, juxtaposing sacred devotion with operatic high drama. Ranging from tender, prayerful moments of private grief to cataclysmic outpourings of anguish, Verdi’s score lays bare the entire gamut of human emotions in the face of divine judgment, with spinechilling effect. With four outstanding soloists from Opera Australia, a chorus of over one hundred, a large symphony orchestra and blazing trumpets announcing judgment day, this performance is guaranteed to raise the roof. Sydney Chamber Choir will combine with members of Penrith City Choir, Academy Singers and Warrimoo Chorale to sweep you along in the magic of Verdi’s vocal sound.

PERFORMANCE PARTNERS

DVORˇÁK, WIENIAWSKI, BRAHMS SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER, 8.00PM PAUL TERRACINI conductor KIRSTEN WILLIAMS violin DVORˇ ÁK Carnival Overture WIENIAWSKI Violin Concerto No 2 in D minor BRAHMS Symphony No. 2 in D major Dvorˇák described his Carnival Overture as depicting “a lonely, contemplative wanderer reaching at twilight a city where a festival is in full swing”. Its festive energy sets the scene for a concerto rich in both Romantic lyricism and technical showmanship, by the Polish violin master Henryk Wieniawski. Kirsten Williams, Associate Concertmaster of the Sydney Symphony, is one of Australia’s most inspiring musicians – a virtuoso violinist, highly-regarded strings educator and passionate musical contributor to community causes. Completing our cycle of Brahms symphonies, the second symphony is the lightest and most cheerful of ˇ the four: sometimes likened to Beethoven’s “Pastoral”, it stands in contrast with Brahms’ notoriously brooding and stern personality.

DVORˇ ÁK WIENIAWSKI BRAHMS

BOOKINGS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS HOW TO BOOK PSO 2016 subscriptions and single ticket sales open on Monday 9 November 2015. All subscriptions and single tickets are available from the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre box office: •

Online

www.thejoan.com.au

•

Phone

02 4723 7600

•

Mail

The Joan Box Office, PO Box 2, Penrith NSW 2751

•

In person

The Joan Box Office, 597 High Street, Penrith

A transaction fee of $4.00 will be added to all bookings other than cash sales at the Box Office. This charge is per booking, not per ticket.

BOX OFFICE HOURS •

9.00am – 4.30pm Mon – Fri

•

One hour before each performance

•

Online bookings open 24/7

SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS •

Priority seating

•

Concert alerts and PSO news via email

•

Exclusive offers and discounts

SUBSCRIPTION AND TICKET TYPES •

Tickets for all Symphony Concerts and Opera in the Q are available as part of a subscription, and may also be bought singly.

•

The Conductor and the Clown is not part of the subscription series. Tickets for this concert are sold singly.

•

Messiah is not part of the subscription season. Ticket prices for this performance will be published and tickets will go on sale in early 2016.

FURTHER INFORMATION •

If you have any questions about subscribing, please contact the box office on 02 4723 7600 or [email protected]

2016

SUBSCRIPTION AND BOOKING FORM A SIX–PERFORMANCE SUBSCRIPTION Four symphony concerts, two operas. Price

Early Bird until 23/12/15

Number of Subcriptions

Amount

Adult

$216

$195

$

Concession

$198

$180

$ SUB-TOTAL (A) $

B FIVE–PERFORMANCE SUBSCRIPTION Please select any five performances from the options below.

SYMPHONY CONCERTS

… … … …

BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH (Saturday 12 March) RUSSIAN SPLENDOUR (Saturday 21 May) VERDI REQUIEM (Saturday 3 September) DVORˇ ÁK, WIENIAWSKI, BRAHMS (Saturday 29 October)

OPERA IN THE Q

… …

COSÌ FAN TUTTE (Saturday 6 August) LA SONNAMBULA (Saturday 26 November) Price

Early Bird until 23/12/15

Number of Subcriptions

Adult

$195

$180

$

Concession

$180

$160

$ SUB-TOTAL (B)

Amount

$

C FOUR–PERFORMANCE SUBSCRIPTION Please select any four performances from the options below.

SYMPHONY CONCERTS

… … … …

BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH (Saturday 12 March) RUSSIAN SPLENDOUR (Saturday 21 May) VERDI REQUIEM (Saturday 3 September) DVORˇ ÁK, WIENIAWSKI, BRAHMS (Saturday 29 October)

OPERA IN THE Q

… …

COSÌ FAN TUTTE (Saturday 6 August) LA SONNAMBULA (Saturday 26 November) Price

Adult

$180

Concession

$160

Number of Subcriptions

Amount

$ $ SUB-TOTAL (C) $

D THREE–PERFORMANCE SUBSCRIPTION Please select any three performances from the options below.

SYMPHONY CONCERTS

… … … …

BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH (Saturday 12 March) RUSSIAN SPLENDOUR (Saturday 21 May) VERDI REQUIEM (Saturday 3 September) DVORˇ ÁK, WIENIAWSKI, BRAHMS (Saturday 29 October)

OPERA IN THE Q

… …

COSÌ FAN TUTTE (Saturday 6 August) LA SONNAMBULA (Saturday 26 November) Number of Subcriptions

Price

Amount

Adult

$159

$

Concession*

$129

$ SUB-TOTAL (D) $

E OPERA IN THE Q SUBSCRIPTION Two opera performances: COSÌ FAN TUTTE (Saturday 6 August) LA SONNAMBULA (Saturday 26 November) Number of Subcriptions

Price

Amount

Adult

$110

$

Concession*

$100

$

Under 25

$60

$ SUB-TOTAL (E) $

F SINGLE CONCERTS Adult No of tickets

Concession* No of tickets

BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH

............ @ $57

............ @ $47

RUSSIAN SPLENDOUR

............ @ $57

............ @ $47

VERDI REQUIEM

............ @ $57

............ @ $47

DVORˇ ÁK, WIENIAWSKI,BRAHMS

............ @ $57

............ @ $47

COSÌ FAN TUTTE

............ @ $60

............ @ $55

LA SONNAMBULA

............ @ $60

............ @ $55

THE CONDUCTOR AND THE CLOWN

............ @ $28

Concert

* Concession prices apply to holders of pension cards. #

Youth/Child price: Under 25 for symphony concerts and opera performances Under 16 for family concert (The Conductor and the Clown)

G PAYMENT DETAILS … …

Cheque or money order enclosed – payable to "Penrith Performing & Visual Arts" Credit card: Please select … Visa … Mastercard

Card number:

Expiry: (MM/YY)

CCV

Total of (A)+(B)+(C)+(D)+(E)+(F) $ + transaction fee $ 4.00 TOTAL PAYMENT

$

Cardholder’s name (as it appears on card): ......................................................................................................... Cardholder’s signature: ...................................................................

H OPTIONAL DONATION I would like to support Penrith Symphony Orchestra with a tax-deductible donation: DONATION

$

…

Separate cheque enclosed, payable to “Penrith Symphony Orchestra Donations Fund”

…

Please charge this amount to my credit card as above. I understand that this will be a separate transaction processed by Penrith Symphony Orchestra. (No additional transaction fee applies.)

Donations over $2 are tax-deductible. A specific receipt will be issued.

Family (2 + 2) No of tickets

Youth/Child# No of tickets

............ @ $146

............ @ $28

$

............ @ $146

............ @ $28

$

............ @ $146

............ @ $28

$

............ @ $146

............ @ $28

$

............ @ $170

............ @ $36

$

............ @ $170

............ @ $36

$

............ @ $84

............ @ $22

$

Amount

SUB-TOTAL (F) $ IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS WHILE COMPLETING THIS FORM, PLEASE CALL THE BOX OFFICE ON 02 4723 7600 FOR ASSISTANCE

I YOUR DETAILS Name: .............................................................................................. Telephone: (day) ............................... (evening) .............................. Postal address: ................................................................................ .................................................................... Postcode: ................... Email: .............................................................................................. Please tick as applicable:

… … …

Renewing subscriber New subscriber I wish to receive future concert information and PSO news via email

PENSION CARD (IF APPLICABLE) Card Number:...................................................................................

SEATING REQUESTS For renewing subscribers, please indicate preferred seats:

......................................................................................................... If you need specific seating because of health or mobility requirements, eg wheelchair access, please provide details: ......................................................................................................... Companion Card: Penrith Symphony Orchestra is a member of the Companion Card Scheme, which enables eligible people with disability to obtain a free second ticket for a companion. Please ask the box office staff for details, or visit companioncard.gov.au.

BOOKING DATE ................/................/................ (This assists us to process applications in strict order of receipt.)

PLEASE MAIL OR TAKE THIS FORM TO: Box Office, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre 597 High Street, Penrith, PO Box 2, Penrith NSW 2751 or book online at www.thejoan.com.au or call 02 4723 7600 Penrith Symphony Orchestra ABN 93 870 015 378

SUPPORT PENRITH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Running a symphony orchestra of ever-increasing quality is an expensive undertaking. With limited government funding support and minimal administration resources, Penrith Symphony Orchestra relies heavily for its survival on the generosity of sponsors, donors and volunteers. The orchestra has operated continuously since 1988, and is highly regarded as a jewel in the musical crown of Western Sydney. To safeguard the future of Penrith Symphony Orchestra, and of fine orchestral music in Penrith, you can support us in a number of ways. DONATION Every dollar makes a difference. Please consider donating when booking your tickets or subscription (see booking form), or at any time. Donations to Penrith Symphony Orchestra (a registered charity) are tax-deductible. For details, please visit www.pso.org.au/donations SPONSORSHIP Enlightened organisations give back to their community, and recognise the great value of culture in society. If you operate, or know of, a business or organisation which could support Penrith Symphony Orchestra through a sponsorship, we would love to hear from you. Sponsorships can take the form of a cash contribution or goods/services in kind. For details, please contact [email protected] or 0418 273 435. VOLUNTEERING The Friends of PSO is a group of loyal supporters of Penrith Symphony Orchestra who assist in many ways with the running and promotion of its performances. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact the Orchestra Administrator on [email protected] or 1300 789 118. BEQUEST Using your Will to spread goodwill can leave a lasting legacy and make a profound difference to the arts. If you would like information about this option, please feel free to contact the President for a confidential discussion: David Cervi, [email protected] or 0418 273 435.

OPERA IN Opera in the Q expands to present two very different opera performances in collaboration with one of Sydney’s exciting new independent opera companies.

MOZART

O

COSÌ FAN TUTTE

OPERANTICS

SATURDAY 6 AUGUST, 8.00PM Q THEATRE

Following its acclaimed Sydney season in 2015, Operantics’ debut production of Mozart’s final opera buffa (comic opera) comes to the Penrith Symphony Orchestra 2016 season. Così fan tutte, ossia La scuola degli amanti (Thus Do They All, or The School for Lovers) is a tale of love, deception and forgiveness. The fiancéeswapping antics are updated to modern-day Sydney, as two young North Shore lads assume disguises to test the faithfulness of their girlfriends – two socialite sisters from the Eastern Suburbs. All kinds of antics ensue that take the lovers far from the safety of their privileged upbringings. At the end of the day, is anyone to be trusted in love? Come to Opera in the Q to find out!

THE Q An Operantics production PAUL TERRACINI conductor VICTORIA WATSON director DAVE SMITH Ferrando TRISTAN ENTWHISTLE Guglielmo IAN WARWICK Don Alfonso JOELENE GRIFFITH Fiordiligi KATIE MILLER-CRISPE Dorabella SAMANTA LESTAVEL Despina RORY STRUTHERS Ambrogio

If this ensemble is in any way representative of the next generation of opera performers, ‘the future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades’. – Syke on Stage Photo: John Kilkeary

OPERA IN BELLINI

LA SONNAMB

OPERA IN CONCERT SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER, 8.00PM Q THEATRE An Operantics production starring JOELENE GRIFFITH as Amina conducted by PAUL TERRACINI Full cast to be announced Our first complete opera-in-concert performance presents La sonnambula (The Sleepwalker). Written near the end of Bellini’s short life, it is one of his best-known operas and a landmark work in the bel canto operatic repertoire. Amina, an orphan, is about to be married to Elvino, a rich landowner, but her affections for him are rivalled by the unrequited love of Lisa, an inn-keeper. The festivities are interrupted by the unexpected return of Count Rodolfo, son of the late Lord of the village. When Amina, who sleepwalks, is found on the couch in the Count’s lodgings at the inn, Elvino is overcome by jealousy and rejects her. The suspicions aroused by a handkerchief dropped in the Count’s room are hard to shake off. Only when Amina, while sleepwalking again, is heard singing of her love for Elvino, does Elvino finally relent. He takes her in his arms, she awakens, and the wedding preparations resume.

O

OPERANTICS

Photo: Blueprint Studios

THE Q

BULA

FAMILY CONCERT

THE CONDUCTO

ˇ

A WHAT CANBERR AUDIENCES SAID for young "What a great introduction ." children to an orchestra er filled the "Very entertaining. Laught s." age hall. Great for all engaging "The musical pieces were learn more and allowed the children to ics, nam (dy about musical concepts beat, etc.)" -appropriate, "Fabulous, wonderful, age ed, pantsfunny, witty, audience-involv c!" rifi ter droppingly hilarious and

TOR

Conductor GEORGE ELLIS and multi-talented jazz mu sician and entertainer GEOR GE WASHINGMACHINE present a highly entertaining orc hestral concert for children. A serious concert presen ting works by MOZART, BEETHOVEN , GRIEG and KHACHATURIAN is dis rupted by an accidental visitor to the stage. Is the clown inadvertently dis turbing the sanctity of the concert platform or is he being wilfully mischi evous? Will he and the conductor rem ain enemies or find a way to reconcile their musical differences? This hugely popular sho w, which has played to sold-out aud iences at the Sydney Opera House and around Australia, is guarantee d to have you and your children laughi ng out loud! TICKETS Child (under 16) Infant (under 2) Adult Family (2+2)

$22 Free $28 $84

BOOKINGS www.thejoan.com.au or 02

4723 7600

& THE CLOWN SUNDAY 19 JUNE

11.00AM AND 1.00PM Q THEATRE

Photo by courtesy of Canberra Symphony Orchestra

The Conductor and the Clown is not part of the subscription season.

PENRITH

STRINGS

Towards a Youth Orchestra for Penrith 2016 016 marks the second year of the Penrith S Strings Program. Established in 2015 in partnership with the Australian Chamber Orche Orchestra (ACO) and the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre (The Joan), Penrith training program for talented young Strings is an orchestral train string Sydney. It aims to become the g players in Western Syd basiss of a Penrith Youth Orch Orchestra affiliated with Penrith Symphony coming years. hony Orchestra in comin The members mbers of Penrith Strings, String most of whom are of secondary or upper primary sch school age, receive tutoring throughout the year from ACO and PSO musicians. The group also presents concerts at The Joan in which the students gain rehearsing and performing in n experience of reh a professional concert venue, sharing the stage with their s tutors and mentors. ntors. al given access to ACO Penrith Strings members are also rehearsals and ACO and PSO cconcerts and there are opportunities for selected students d to perform in Penrith Symphony Orchestra. Penrith Strings is complemented by the ACO Music & Art Program, which is being delivered in selected primary schools in Western Sydney, offering students an accessible and engaging way to learn about music, expressing their ideas and responses to music through visual art. Public concerts by Penrith Strings in 2016 are planned for Sunday 15 May and Sunday 23 October at The Joan. For further information, or to enquire about becoming a member of Penrith Strings, please contact Liz Strasser, Penrith Strings Administrator, at [email protected] or 0418 202 849.

It was wonderful to see the talent and passion of the young musicians, playing side by side with their accomplished mentors. What a wonderful initiative this is. Dr Mark Howie, Principal, Springwood High School It was really challenging and exciting at the same time because I experienced playing with people on my level or higher. Khloe Lizardo, Penrith Strings member What a wonderful concert - fabulous music, fabulous kids and fabulous mentors. Jenny Young, Friend of PSO and President, Penrith City Choir

Photo: Peter Kelly, News Limited and Newspix

Support Penrith Strings Penrith Strings is supported in its first two years by a generous grant from the Crown Resorts Foundation’s Western Sydney Arts Initiative. Additional financial support and assistance will be needed to ensure the program’s continuation beyond 2016 and its longterm sustainability. If you are interested in supporting the musical development of young people in Western Sydney through a donation or business sponsorship, or by volunteering practical assistance, we would love to hear from you. You can contact the Penrith Strings Administrator at [email protected] or 0418 202 849. This project is supported by

HANDEL MESSIAH

MESSIAH SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER, 3.00PM Co-presented with Penrith City Choir PAUL TERRACINI conductor LUCY MCALARY chorus director Vocal soloists to be announced

What better way to greet the Christmas season than by attending a performance of Messiah? For more than a quarter of a millennium, Handel’s most famous oratorio has been one of the best-loved and most-performed of all western musical works. Voices and instruments unite in music of great beauty and emotion to narrate the Christian story, from the news of the Messiah’s birth to his life, death and resurrection. TICKETS for Messiah (prices TBA) will go on sale in early 2016 at www.thejoan.com.au or phone 02 4723 7600 Messiah is not part of the subscription season.

Penrith Symphony Orchestra PO Box 659 Kingswood NSW 2747 www.pso.org.au

BOOKINGS 02 4723 7600 Subcribe Online: www.thejoan.com.au Box Office at the Joan, 597 High Street, Penrith

Penrith Symphony Orchestra is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW and gratefully acknowledges the generous support of its local government and business partners and sponsors.

Brochure design by Kado Creative. All details are correct at the time of printing. Any changes will be published at www.pso.org.au © 2015 Penrith Symphony Orchestra

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