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China National Symphony Orchestra – Review

4 April 20255 December 2023 Aurora White

As someone who listens non-stop to ABC Classic on the radio, I can embarrassingly admit the years between attending the Symphony in person are often long and unpredictable.

For whatever reason, when I plan a weekend or evening out of entertainment, an in-person visit to the Symphony is rarely on my radar. This is something I was wholeheartedly reminded to correct recently as I had the pleasure of attending the China National Symphony Orchestra at Hamer Hall. (A sophisticated and easily accessible venue that is a part of the Arts Centre Melbourne complex in the middle of the City.)

From the moment of arrival, I felt welcomed and at ease as I navigated the venue and got myself some items from the concession. I easily found my seat and started taking pictures, as did almost everyone around me. Hamer Hall is simply beautiful, and honestly, there can be no bad seat in the house.

As part of the 2023 Australian Tour of Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, the China National Symphony Orchestra arranged a concert composed of the Chinese classical masterpiece ‘Dance of the Yao People’, a violin concerto ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ and Beethoven’s Symphony No.7 in A Minor.

Words cannot give justice to the incredible compilations attendees enjoyed.

Dance of the Yao People, composed by Liu Tieshan and Mao Yuan, is one of the most recognizable and popular Chinese instrumental compositions of the 20th Century. Fun fact: the first 18 notes of the 1998 song “When You Believe’ by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey for The Prince of Egypt movie were based on Dance of the Yao People. (Although the composers remained uncredited.)

It is easy to become rapt in the music and entranced by the motion of the orchestra as they weave through the lingering notes or rhythmically pluck chords and lean into the faster tempos. Maybe it is a vivid imagination of a youth spent watching Disney’s Fantasia, yet in many moments I could almost see the shapes and colours of the music in my mind’s eye. The music was vivid, expertly crafted and performed.

The Butterfly Lovers, composed by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang, is a Violin Concerto and one of the most famous Chinese works of orchestral music.

The concerto is one movement but comprises seven sections that tell the story of Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo, her lover. Zhu and Liang are represented by the solo Violinist and Cello, respectively.

It was an exceptional treat to listen to one of the foremost and influential Chinese violinists today, Lu Siqing. His exceptional mastery of the instrument is evident, and his confident command of the work and his craft is inspiring to see.

Chief Conductor Li Xincao is enthusiastic and exceptional; his long list of achievements and international recognition is a testament to a young man at the epitome of his craft.

Completing the afternoon was Beethoven’s Symphony No.7 in A Minor, which perfectly fused the East meets West program and continued to reinforce the beauty of the music.

The China National Symphony Orchestra enhanced my understanding of Chinese culture, deepened my love of classical music and inspired me to remember to include a visit to the Symphony much more regularly in my entertainment planning. I would be the one missing out were I not to do so, and as music has an intrinsic way of speaking to us all, I believe that applies to most of us!

Follow the China National Symphony Orchestra here so you don’t miss their next visit to Australia!

And don’t forget to check programming at Arts Centre Melbourne here, so you don’t miss out on future classical music offerings!

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The Visitors(The Opera) – A Reimagining

4 April 202522 October 2023 Bee Hayward

The Visitors, taking place on the 26th of January, 1788, is a reimagining of the arrival of the First Fleet from the often unexplored Indigenous perspective. Adapted from a play of the same name by Jane Harrison, this Opera will take you on a powerful and sometimes confronting journey, allowing you to view a key event in Australian history from a perspective you might not have considered.

The narrative follows six Aboriginal Elders and one younger initiate. They are gathered on the shore, awaiting the arrival of the First Fleet into the harbour and are trying to reach a unanimous decision on how they will react. Do these visitors mean harm? Should they be allowed safe passage?

As a complete newcomer to the world of Opera, my expectations entering this show were of curiosity. I anticipated some pleasant music, powerful vocals, and a straightforward narrative. The Visitors was so much more than this. It is not just a performance but an invitation to listen to often unheard voices, to gain new insights and to consider different perspectives; it was a great privilege to be a part of the audience.

Jane Harrison, the creative force behind the play upon which this show is based, also provided her talents as the librettist for The Visitors. Harrison’s mastery of language and the extraordinary musical expertise of composer Christopher Sainsbury created a wonderful synergy. It’s challenging to find words that truly capture the sheer beauty and power of the music.

I rarely purchase merchandise at shows; however, if there were a CD recording for this performance, I would have bought it in a heartbeat. For now, however, this auditory treasure seems confined to the live performance. Yet this is for the best. To experience The Visitors in person was not just to hear the music but to be fully immersed in a transformative journey.

The music and story were brought to life by an incredible cast of seven performers: Marcus Corowa, Zoy Frangos, Lillian Fromyhr, Jess Hitchcock, Eddie Muliaumaseali’I, Elias Wilson, and Shauntai Sherree Abdul-Rahman. Each member of this ensemble is not only an exceptional vocalist but also a compelling and powerful actor.

They each artfully created a unique and distinct character, each with their own stories to tell and their own unique desires. They didn’t just sing the words; they breathed life into the narratives, crafting real, authentic characters that the audience truly cared for.

I would be remiss not to mention the others involved in bringing The Visitors to life. The set, designed by Richard Roberts, was simple yet incredibly striking, providing a backdrop that allowed the story to unfold with clarity and impact. Combined with expert lighting cues by Rachel Burke, they together created a visual landscape that perfectly suited the narrative.

And I of course, have to mention The Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra, who provided their musical expertise to bring the show together. I was lucky enough to have a view of the orchestra from the circle, and it was an absolute delight to see their talent and passion live alongside the performance. Every aspect of The Visitors was carefully crafted and expertly put together by a multitude of talented and passionate individuals.

The Visitors ran at the Playhouse for only one weekend. However, I hope this show and this exceptional cast will return for an entire season soon. CEO of Victorian Opera, Elizabeth Hill-Cooper, wrote that The Visitors is “an investment for the future of opera in this country and the telling of a tale from our young history with the insights from the oldest occupants of any land.”

These words hint that this brief stint of The Visitors was merely a prelude to something more enduring. Everyone deserves the opportunity to witness this performance.

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Aza: Stories of Grief in Diaspora

4 April 202520 October 2023 Bee Hayward

Aza: stories of grief in diaspora, conceptualised by Charaf Tartoussi, is a poignant exploration of grief intricately interwoven with the nuanced experience of diaspora. Currently gracing the stage at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, this deeply moving performance unfolds within the setting of a wake and is truly a show that is worth your time and attention.

I can think of no better description than that provided by Melbourne Fringe: “In 50 minutes of vulnerable and sincere storytelling, they will move through the motions of their loss and attempt to answer the question: how does grief change when it is experienced in the immigrant diaspora, and how does it stay the same?” Watching Aza, I was reminded of the true essence of theatre: unadorned and authentic storytelling.

Performing in the Old Council Chambers is a challenging task – it is a small and intimate venue, every rustle from the audience is amplified, and in the distance, you can hear music and applause from other shows. But these performers were undaunted, embracing the intimacy of the space and using it to their advantage. As they spoke and shared their stories, I felt a genuine connection, and I found myself truly immersed in their words.

Aza isn’t a play performed by its actors; instead, it is a story lived by its writers. These storytellers, armed with their own life narratives and uniquely profound voices, extend a personal invitation to the audience. It’s an invitation to walk with them through an intimate path, to share in a journey of love and loss. Hearing these words and sharing these narratives was indeed a privilege.

Our four storytellers (Charaf Tartoussi, Farah Beaini, Thabani Tshuma, and Parminder Kaur) exhibit remarkable writing skills and shine as brilliant and compelling performers. They held nothing back, bared themselves completely, and invited us to share their grief and healing. By sharing their truth, they opened a door for the audience, granting us permission to grieve in our own way, free from judgment.

Time is running out to see this exceptional piece of theatre, which is showing until the 22nd of October at the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Be prepared to shed a few tears; Aza; stories of grief in diaspora is an emotional journey that refuses to shy away from the true depths of grief and will undoubtedly leave a mark on those fortunate enough to be a part of the audience.

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Ricordi Di Sanremo – Memories of Sanremo

4 April 202515 October 2023 Davros Dark

Last night the Astor Theatre hosted a collage of Italian stars in Ricordi Di Sanremo, a concert covering three generations of memories from Italy’s most popular music festival, for one night only.

The annual Sanremo Music Festival, which has been running in the coastal city of Sanremo since 1951, was originally established as a pathway to revitalizing its economy and survives to this day. Accordingly, The Sanremo Music Festival also holds the distinction of being the longest-running annual TV music competition in the world and served as the inspiration for the creation of the Eurovision Song Contest. What sets the Sanremo Music Festival apart is its unique focus on new songs only.

Ricordi di Sanremo showcases songs representing the most cherished memories from three generations of the music festival and a few fan favourites recognised across the globe. All these are performed by an ensemble of international and Italian-Australian artists such as Pupo, The Esteriore Brothers, Silvia Colloca, Luca Sala, Corinta, and many others.

Our host for the evening, the Italian star Pupo, released his first album in 1976 and was a former winner of the 1980 Sanremo Music Festival with the gold record-winning song “Su di noi (Above us).” To date, Pupo has earned 11 gold records.

Much of the evening’s content was delivered in Italian. Given that most of the audience consisted of expat Italians, I felt like I might have been the only person needing to fully grasp the content of the presentations. Yet, despite language barriers, the ensemble’s energy shone through all night.

Touches of nostalgia were evident, with a cinema screen backdrop often displaying videos of the performers from generations ago as they sang live on stage. Pupo proved an adept host, expertly MC’ing the event to the audience’s evident delight. Family connections also graced the stage as stars from Italian music’s past performed duets with their vocally gifted daughters. Among the standout moments of the evening was the opening act, performed by Pupo, which warmed up the audience with its vibrant energy and exceptional guitar play.

Another standout was Pupo’s performance of his pop hit “Gelato al cioccolato,” accompanied by the showing of his 1980 music video against the cinema screen backdrop. A song mentioning gelato is bound to be sweet, and it delighted the crowd. Pupo doesn’t appear to have slowed down over the past 40+ years and remains an excellent performer.

The Esteriore Brothers, resembling a quintessential boy band, were crowd-pleasers, especially among the ladies. Their mere presence seemed enough to warrant applause! True to Italian flair, the entire ensemble appeared impeccably dressed and presented themselves in style.

Other fan favourites incorporated into the night’s entertainment and familiar to international audiences included That’s Amore, Quando Quando Quando, Mamma Maria, and Volare, among others.

The night was a delightful mix of great music, vintage tunes, family connections, nostalgia, and a vibrant ensemble that joyfully engaged with a receptive audience, making it a night to remember.

After first touring Australia in 2022, this festival is set to become an annual event. Ricordi Di Sanremo’s 2023 Australian tour will move on next to Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne, but all for one-night-only performances. So be sure to be prompt about securing your spot this year, but also keep your eyes out for them next year. Ciao!

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