Image: Left to right – Rachel Thomas, Chris Faulks, Kaytlin Copaceanu, Sienna Capaceanu, David Hurley, Linda Hurley
Image Credit: Thomas Lucraft
The Canberra Symphony Orchestra (CSO) today launched its 2024 season at an official opening celebration with their patron His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC, DSC (Retd) Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
“We are so thrilled to unveil Earth and Sky, an exciting program of CSO orchestral concerts, chamber music matinees and evenings dedicated to Australian voices and stories that explore our understanding of Earth and the universe,” said CSO Chief Executive Officer, Rachel Thomas.
“The 2024 season reflects our artistic identity and our place in the Canberra community. We look forward to sharing a wide range of music that connects with all Canberrans,” Ms Thomas continued.
CSO’s 2024 season: Earth and Sky will include, among others, Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, Sibelius’ wild and uplifting Second Symphony and Nigel Westlake’s Toward Takayna, inspired by the ancient Tasmanian forests. Performances also include Beethoven’s tremendous Ninth Symphony and Miriama Young’s Daughters of Elysium.
“In 2024 we will also present two special events: Handel’s timeless Messiah, a hit in 2022, and Four Seasons, led by our Concertmaster, Kirsten Williams,” Ms Thomas continued.
CSO’s Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, Jessica Cottis, explained her inspiration for this season.
“For the CSO’s 2024 season, I wanted to explore a musical view of our world — and beyond — from a very human perspective. Gustav Mahler once expressed a deep sense of wonder at the ‘infinite mystery’ of the earth, remarking that “in every work of art, there is a trace of this infinity”. This idea is at the heart of our next season,” Ms Cottis said.
Some of the orchestra’s principal players were joined today by the orchestra’s patron His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC, DSC (Retd) Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, who expressed his pleasure in launching another season. He expressed that the CSO has long been a champion of Australian voices and stories and this season will be no exception.
Ms Thomas acknowledged the many organisations and individuals who support the CSO’s work, namely Creative Australia, artsACT and a diverse network of corporate and community partners, a generous philanthropic community and of course the dedicated Canberra audiences.
“We can’t wait to welcome both long-term supporters and newcomers to classical music, both young and old, both music aficionados and those exploring cultural experiences for the first time,” concluded Ms Thomas
For more information and the full list of CSO’s 2024 events, including dates, venues, ticket information and pricing, visit www.cso.org.au