Let’s be frank for a moment, with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact the performing arts industry around the world, there is very little that those in the industry could be “over the moon” about. But having performed at what could be the only AFL Grand Finale held in Brisbane in our lifetime, one could understand the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) beaming at the opportunity they had last weekend. After performing live to almost 30,000 at The Gabba and countless hundreds of thousands if not millions on television, QSO has decided to hold a third Maestro Concert in their November program.
The final Maestro Concerts for 2020 were due to be held by Queensland Symphony Orchestra at 3.00pm and 8.00pm live in QPAC’s Concert Hall. Citing popular demand, a third performance has been released a day before – on Friday 20 November 2020 at 7.30pm. For those who don’t feel safe or are unable to make it to the venue, a livestream will be going ahead for the performance.
The final Maestro Concerts for 2020 will feature performances of Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ Piano Concerto and Resphighi’s ‘Pines of Rome’. Conductor Laureate Johannes Fritzsch returns to Brisbane to conduct these concerts with Australian pianist Daniel de Borah as soloist. The concert is being presented as part of the Queensland’s Own season, involving five of Queensland’s major State Companies.
Tickets can be purchased online via the QSO website or by telephoning their box office on 07 3833 5044.
This year marks 250 years since the birth of Beethoven, and it’s with great pride and excitement we will perform the final Maestro concerts of 2020 featuring the music of the man whose symphonies revolutionised music. Beethoven is Australia’s favourite composer, as seen in ABC Classic’s Classic 100 countdown.
During the past five months we have been extremely disappointed that we have been unable to deliver live concerts to the people of Queensland, however we’ve created a fantastic range of online content from musicians’ homes, backyards, parks and playgrounds, playing all sorts of music, from Bach to Baby Shark, an epic anthem collaboration with the Gold Coast SUNS and the Brisbane Lions and of course, our stunning performance at the AFL Grand Final.
We have been determined to keep performing music for Queenslanders, and now to be able to take our place back at QPAC, this will be an emotional experience for everyone. We can’t wait!
Craig Whitehead – Chief Executive of Queensland Symphony Orchestra
