The year is drawing to an end and the 2017 concert seasons have been launched. Here is my helpful shortcut to planning your 2017 concert calendar.
The WA Symphony Orchestra are heading into more German romantic territory in 2017, following the talents of conductor Asher Fisch. They will premiere a work by composer-in-residence Lachlan Skipworth (as do most other organisations it seems!) but other than that a fairly dull contemporary program with NO women composers. (I am biased I know but you must agree that is pretty shocking gender representation.) Their full program is here. The orchestra is in peak form so any concert on the program should be a real treat.
In contrast Musica Viva will continue its Hildegard Project with national tours intentionally including works by 2 women composers in 2017. They will also include a Skipworth premiere (#composeroftheyear). Their program is here.
Perth International Arts Festival has launched their program (for February and March) with a fabulous theme of ‘art without borders’. The classical program is quite comprehensive including an intriguing interpretation of Schubert’s Wintereisse and an expanded version of the 2016 chamber music weekend featuring national and international ensembles, plus a premiere by – you guessed it – Lachlan Skipworth!!
And of course there is PIAF’s sister event the Fringe WORLD, one of the fastest growing events in the southern hemisphere. The January – February festival program has just been released with its bags of burlesque and circus fun which invariably includes edgy and unusual music gigs. There is even a performance of Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder and Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder in a program called Dream of Childhood’s End.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra will bring five concerts to WA in 2017, check out the Perth program here.
The St George’s Cathedral music series is always worth booking in. In 2017 the program includes Faure’s Requiem and Handel’s Solomon.
The West Australian Opera will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2017 so expect lots of glitter at the opening Opera in the Park and a season that includes Tosca, The Merry Widow and Lucia di Lammermoor.
The music institutions haven’t yet released their programs but keep an eye on the websites for WAAPA and UWA. And I will keep you up to date on the grass roots gigs (Freeze Frame Opera, Lost & Found Opera, Tura new music, Voyces) that will pop up as the year unfolds; they often contain the musical highlights of my year.
Hopefully that provides you with some inspiration for your Christmas shopping and the year ahead. 2017 without live music would be a bleak outlook indeed. Dive in!
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