Music lovers will enjoy a series of free outdoor performances from some of Australia’s most accomplished artists when The Classics concert series returns to Stonnington’s parks and gardens this summer.
Performers at The Classics include Archie Roach, The Jack Earle Big Band and Rhonda Burchmore, with the concerts set to cover the genres of Opera (1 February), Broadway (15 February) and Symphony (22 February).
City of Stonnington Mayor, Cr Steve Stefanopoulos, congratulated the series’ Artistic Directors for bringing together an exciting range of talent from across the musical landscape.
“The Classics series continues to offer our community enjoyable and outstanding musical performances, which is a credit to the artistic direction,” said Cr Stefanopoulos.
“Taking place outdoors in Stonnington’s historic parks and gardens you’ll get the best of musical, orchestral and vocal talent in stunning surrounds,” added Cr Stefanopoulos.
The Classics: Opera
Saturday 1 February, 7.30pm at Victoria Gardens, Prahran
Award-winning Australian Director Cameron Menzies will bring political thriller Puccini’s Tosca to the stage, with an abridged version of this classic opera to be performed in the round.
Principal cast members Kathryn Radcliffe as Floria Tosca, Carlos E. Barcenas as Mario Cavaradossi, Christopher Tonkin as Baron Scarpia will shine with stunning performances, bringing this powerful story to life.
Simon Bruckard will return to The Classics with a live orchestra, and Mairi Nicolson will serve as the evening’s compere and narrator.
The Classics: Broadway
Saturday 15 February, 7.30pm at Ardrie Park, Malvern East
Join host and performer Rhonda Burchmore and sixteen-piece jazz ensemble The Jack Earle Big Band and as they open the ‘Great American Songbook’, paying homage to the great musicians of yesteryear in a concert titled ‘S Wonderful.
Get ready for swingin’ big band classics by legendary composers George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and more, performed by Annie Aitken (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Elisa Colla (A Little Night Music), Nigel Huckle (West Side Story) and Ainsley Melham (Aladdin).
Artistic Director Christopher Parker (The Bodyguard The Musical) will direct this not to be missed concert.
The Classics: Symphony
Saturday 22 February, 7.30pm at Malvern Gardens, Malvern
Musical and lyrical legend Archie Roach will take to The Classics stage to perform an orchestral reimagining of some of his most iconic songs, alongside the Stonnington Symphony Orchestra.
Now in its 36th year, the Stonnington Symphony Orchestra is made up of musicians ranging in age from 18-83. These musicians will bring their passion for classical music to the fore with a dramatic and beautiful performance.
Artistic Director and Conductor Roy Theaker will return to the helm, with orchestral arrangement by Nicholas Buc and Sian Prior as the evening’s host.
The Classics: Opera
Saturday 1 February, 7.30pm
Victoria Gardens, Prahran
The Classics: Broadway
Saturday 15 February, 7.30pm
Ardrie Park, Malvern East
The Classics: Symphony
Saturday 22 February, 7.30pm
Malvern Gardens, Malvern
