Maestro Fritzsch conducts The Queensland Orchestra
Queensland's largest performing arts company and the state's only professional symphony orchestra has something exciting up its sleeves for its 2009 Season.
The Queensland Orchestra will present two outstanding Specials in 2009: one of the world's greatest tenors, described by critics as the "voice of the century", José Carreras and one of the world's greatest soul singers, Roberta Flack.
The chance to not only see José Carreras and Roberta Flack perform live, but to see them perform live with a symphony orchestra is, indeed, an indulgent treat.
José Carreras is one of the elite tenors of the last hundred years and his performance with The Queensland Orchestra is a once-only event and the only performance on the eastern seaboard.
The second stand out performance will be from jazz and soul legend, Roberta Flack, renowned for her haunting ballads Killing Me Softly, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Where Is the Love?.
Along with the Specials, the repertoire for The Queensland Orchestra's 2009 Season is one of celebrations, milestones and new experiences for all lovers of music, no matter what age or music tastes.
Seventy concerts, national and international guest artists and everything from great composer anniversaries - Handel (250 death), Haydn (200 death) and Mendelssohn (200 birth) - to cabaret and proms make up the 2009 repertoire.
The Queensland Orchestra will present their six distinct series including the premier concert series, Maestro featuring Maestro Fritzsch and a selection of internationally renowned conductors and soloists.
Highlighted by works of greats such as Beethoven, Bach and Tchaikovsky, and some of the finest artists on the global stage including Piers Lane, Stephen Hough and Freddy Kempf, the Maestro series is sure to delight the most purist of music lovers.
The Classics Series will present popular pieces including Mozart's A major Piano Concerto and Elgar's Cello Concerto, plus performances by internationally acclaimed artists such as pianist Imogen Cooper, violinist Antje Weithaas and renowned Australian cellist Emma-Jane Murphy.
The Tea and Symphony series gives audiences the opportunity to enjoy morning tea with friends and delight in the sounds of The Queensland Orchestra performing with exceptional guest artists in the ambience of City Hall.
For those who enjoy scintillating repertoire and the on-stage antics of celebrated presenter Guy Noble, the Music on Sundays series is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday. Add to this conductors of the calibre of Jari Hämäläinen, artists including the Grigoryans and Andrea Lam, plus special performances from the Australian Ballet and Queensland Choir, for a great day out.
The Proms Series will continue to add spice to the orchestral experience and in 2009 will feature sultry divas Helen Medlyn and Bernadette Robinson, award-winning movie director Bruce Beresford and baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes.
The Queensland Orchestra will also explore the works of modern day artists who are presenting new interpretations and boldly going in new directions with the Contempo Series.
As part of the Orchestra's commitment to be accessible to all Queenslanders, the Orchestra will travel some 6,500km in 2009, taking the works of master composers as well as some light hearted musical interpretations across northern and regional Queensland.
The Queensland Orchestra will also deliver an education program that will inspire and excite more than 30,000 students from schools, colleges and universities across Queensland.
Music lovers are also more than welcome to attend open rehearsals and Masterclasses delivered by visiting artists throughout the season.
Subscriptions to The Queensland Orchestra 2009 Season are now on sale through QTIX on 136 246.
For more information visit the TQO website.
