Led by 10 magnificent Maestro concerts, a spotlight on Australian composers and showcasing concertos for harp, clarinet, trombone and double bass among others, Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Season 2019 is one to cement its reputation as an orchestra for everyone. From Bach and boy wizards to beatboxing, the season pans the arc of history, delivering mighty symphonies, the magic of movie music, world class musicians, big brass sounds, intimate chamber music and more, with Music Director Alondra de la Parra promising a musical adventure for orchestral music aficionados and newcomers alike (images available on request).
"2019 is the year we shine a spotlight on the breathtaking diversity of musical instruments and I am thrilled to announce that our season will showcase concertos for harp, clarinet, guitar, oboe, cello, trombone, double bass, viola, as well as piano and violin. Music has so much to offer and it will be wonderful to explore it in 2019," she said.
Australian composers Elena Kats-Chernin, Lachlan Skipworth, Brett Dean (Australian premiere), Carl Vine and Nigel Westlake are celebrated through the season. "For a long time, Queensland Symphony Orchestra has given a platform to composers from around the world, but in 2019 we turn our eye closer to home. I am excited to present a wonderful collection of works by Australian composers who proudly take their place in our program alongside those whose music has delighted us for generations," said Ms de la Parra.
Queensland Symphony Orchestra Chair Mr Chris Freeman said the orchestra was one for the 21st century. "We are an orchestra that’s relevant, that connects with all people, across all geographies, cultures, backgrounds and ages. What’s extraordinary is that the company creates and delivers unique musical experiences across this huge state. Highly trained professional musicians – at home in any great concert hall on the planet – travel to all corners of Queensland to connect with Queenslanders, to ensure all Queenslanders can experience the true power of live music. This is an important role to play," he said.
THE MAESTRO PROGRAM
Ten magnificent Maestro concerts lead the season, with names that sound as wondrous as they promise to be – Heavenly, Romeo & Juliet, Dreamscapes, Cathedral of Sound, Soulful Journeys, The Great Symphony, The New World, Romance and Revolution, Ray Chen Returns, and Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. The Maestro season opens on February 16 with HEAVENLY, featuring the music of Mozart and Mahler with Artist-in-Residence Paul Lewis and soprano Morgan England-Jones under the baton of Alondra de la Parra.
SPECIAL EVENTS
MUSIC ON SUNDAYS
The much loved Music on Sundays program features five outstanding concerts ranging from the Festival of Folk in March, to Kings and Queens in May featuring Queensland Symphony Orchestra trombonist Jason Redman as soloist, then Animal Kingdom in June (which poses the question, what do a bee, a lark and a swan have in common?), to Sounds from the Deep in August with Brisbane classical guitar superstar Karin Schaupp and then the finale, Toys and Puppets on October 27 conducted by Alondra de la Parra with Queensland Symphony Orchestra double bassist Phoebe Russell as soloist. See full program detailed in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra 2019 Calendar.
CHAMBER PLAYERS SERIES
The Chamber Players series also features five concerts, beginning with Trumpeter’s Trapeze in April and wrapping up with Compelling Times on November 24. An up-close and personal series starring Queensland Symphony Orchestra musicians at their home studio in South Bank, concerts will be held in April, May, July, September and November. See full program detailed in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra 2019 Calendar.
CHORAL PROGRAM
In 2019 two epic choral events will be staged. The first on June 1 is the Opera Gala featuring a night of Verdi and Puccini under the Italian born conductor Giovanni Reggioli with soloists Natalie Aroyan (soprano) and Kang Wang (tenor) and the Brisbane Chorale. The second is Handel’s enduring masterpiece, Messiah, conducted by Stephen Layton with Sara Macliver (soprano), Helen Charleston (mezzo soprano), Gwilym Bowen (tenor) and Laurence Williams (bass-baritone) and the Brisbane Chamber Choir. See full program detailed in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra 2019 Calendar.
WAVE FESTIVAL
Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s celebrated WAVE Festival will return to morph modern sounds, technology and the talent of Australia's hottest contemporary acts with the classical heritage and strength of the Orchestra. Following in the sound-wake of previous collaborators poet Luka Lesson, hip-hop artists Horrorshow, beatboxer Tom Thum, and electronic musicians The Kite String Tangle and Sampology, this cutting-edge music event is not to be missed.
EXCITE 2019
Orchestras are for everyone, including the kids, and in 2019, Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s EXCITE program will roll out a great mix of new and familiar family works – the perfect introduction to a musical journey for life!
HOW TO EXPERIENCE QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN 2019
· Wednesday August 15 at 9am: Subscriptions open with a range of packages available from the Maestro Package to choose-your-own mix-ups.
· Monday October 29 at 9am: tickets on sale for all individual concerts in 2019.
Booking details -
· Online at qso.com.au
· Telephone the box office direct on 07 3833 5044 or through QPAC on 1362 46
· Buy in person at the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Box Office at 114 Grey Street in South Brisbane
· Post your order to Queensland Symphony Orchestra Box Office, GPO Box 9994, Brisbane 4001
