The ACO celebrates the opening of its new home with special guests including William Barton, Jimmy Barnes, Jane Campion, Omar Musa, Genevieve Lacey, Slava Grigoryan and more.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra will celebrate the opening of its spectacular new home at Pier 2/3 with a full weekend of festivities including thrilling live concerts, boundary-pushing collaborations, stimulating talks, engaging family shows, digital live streams and more.
Over three days, the ACO will throw open the doors of its harbourside home at Pier 2/3 in Sydney’s revitalised Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, inviting audiences to experience the full spectrum of its new programming offerings at this state-of-the-art performing arts space for the first time.
In keeping with its collaborative spirit, the ACO will be joined by iconic artists and close friends of the Orchestra including didgeridoo virtuoso, singer and composer William Barton, singer/songwriter Jimmy Barnes, filmmaker Jane Campion, poet, musician and artist Omar Musa, guitarist Slava Grigoryan, pianist Tamara-Anna Cislowska and actors from the Sydney Theatre Company.
“This is one of the biggest moments in the ACO’s 47-year history,” said ACO Managing Director Richard Evans. “We’ve been underground for 20 years, so to have an inspiring space where our musicians can not only practice and rehearse, but a public-facing home where we can welcome people to experience performances, workshops, talks, family shows, collaborations… It’s completely transformative for the ACO.
“We can’t wait to welcome our wonderful audiences, collaborators, friends and supporters of all ages into our new home.”
The ACO’s Opening Festival at Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct will open with a Smoking Ceremony, led by Indigenous musician Matthew Doyle, before a special Opening Celebration concert led by Richard Tognetti and featuring guest artists including William Barton, Jimmy Barnes, Tamara-Anna Cislowska and actors from the Sydney Theatre Company. Music In Time will see the Orchestra explore the most sublime, influential and beloved music of the last thousand years over two concerts, while the ACO will present performances from artists including poet, artist and musician Omar Musa and the Grigoryan Brothers as well as an eye-opening talk featuring filmmaker Jane Campion, artist Ben Quilty and dancer and artistic director Frances Rings, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre.
The ACO’s youngest audiences are invited to participate in the fun, with a special family morning filled with engaging musical activities, from a rousing string quartet concert in the ACO’s new Rehearsal Room to a free ‘make-your-own-instrument’ activity station.
The ACO has planned a program of digital activities over the weekend so that the Orchestra’s national audiences can participate in the celebrations. Three of the concerts will be streamed live for free to audiences across Australia, while artists will engage with audiences directly through social media takeovers, behind-the-scenes videos and more.
Featured image : Richard Tognetti and Satu Vanska. Pic Daniel Boud