Based on ballet dancer Li Cunxin AO’s inspirational autobiography Mao’s Last Dancer, The Peasant Prince traces the journey of a young boy from rural China who, against all odds, becomes one of the most famous dancers in the world.

The charming production stars exceptional young Brisbane-based dancer Hugo Tang from the Queensland Ballet Academy, performing choreography by Paul Boyd (Tall Poppies, The Red Shoes, Tormented Tangos).

Conducted by Brett Kelly, The Peasant Prince is an interactive experience for all ages complete with composition byKaty Abbott, narration by award-winning Queensland actor Bryan Probets and big-screen projections of hauntingly beautiful illustrations by Australian artist Anne Spudvilas.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra Chief Executive Craig Whitehead said, “We are thrilled to be working with Queensland Ballet Academy on presenting The Peasant Prince, a heartwarming story performed with such passion by our exceptional Orchestra, alongside impressive young dancer Hugo Tang. Our family concerts are always a great opportunity for young music lovers to get a taste of classical music in a fun and interactive environment.”

Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin AO said it will be so exciting to see his story come to life, and even more heart-warming to have a young Queensland Ballet Academy Student performing in the production.

“It will be wonderful to see this children’s version of my autobiography on the stage produced by Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Paul Boyd’s choreography, coupled with Hugo Tang’s performance promises to delight audiences,” Mr Li said.

As well as the two family performances on Saturday 21 March, four mid-week educational performances will be held on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 March. These performances of The Peasant Prince are designed especially for primary school-aged children and complement the Queensland curriculum, but all are welcome to attend.

The Peasant Prince is guaranteed to be a wonderful introduction to both classical music and ballet for first-time attendees of all ages.

The Peasant Prince
18 March: 10am + 11.30am SOLD OUT (Learning Concerts)
19 March: 10am + 11.30am (Learning Concerts)
21 March: 9.30am + 11am (Family Concerts)
Queensland Symphony Orchestra Studio, South Bank
qso.com.au

Year 2020 marks 250 years since the birth of the incomparable Ludwig van Beethoven, recently voted Australia’s favourite composers*, and, to celebrate Queensland Symphony Orchestra joins orchestras across the globe in celebrating, with a series of nine concerts and special tributes featuring the music of the man whose symphonies have been called the ‘cornerstones of Western civilisation’.

In a season as welcoming as it is exciting, 2020 stars thrilling soloists including dual Grammy-nominated saxophonist Amy Dickson and fellow Australian superstars violinist Ray Chen, pianist Aura Go, soprano Emma Pearson, the young violinist Grace Clifford, and the Orchestra’s own violist Imants Larsens.

As well as home-grown, internationally acclaimed talent, Queensland Symphony Orchestra again welcomes soloists from afar to Brisbane including Principal Horn of the Berlin Philharmonic, German Stefan Dohr, the ‘dazzlingly brilliant’ Armenian cellist, Narek Hakhnazaryan and Behzod Abduraimov from Uzbekistan, who has been described as ‘the most perfectly accomplished pianist of his generation’.

Israeli Guy Braunstein, who was the youngest violinist ever appointed concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, will have his formidable talents on full display with the Orchestra as he both plays and conducts in two concerts, Beethoven and Dvořák and Happy Birthday Beethoven.

Three of Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s favourite conductors return in 2020 to take on Beethoven’s most treasured works – Australian super conductor Simone Young leads Beethoven’s majestic Choral Symphony No.9 in August, Sweden’s Daniel Blendulf conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 in October, and Conductor Laureate Johannes Fritzsch leads Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.5 in November.

The all-star conductor cast is rounded out with Elena Schwarz (Switzerland-Australia), Alexander Prior (UK), Eduardo Strausser (Brazil), André de Ridder (Germany), Giancarlo Guerrero (Nicaragua), Giordano Bellincampi (Italy/Denmark), Alexandre Bloch (France), Australians Benjamin Northey and Simon Hewett, and Nicholas McGegan (UK) who has been described as ‘one of the finest baroque conductors of his generation’.

Continuing its mission to commission and support new works, Queensland Symphony Orchestra is proud to present two world premieres in 2020; the first in February’s Power and Glory Maestro concert by talented Australian composer Melody Eötvös, and the second in July in The Music of The Masters concert by the Orchestra’s own violist, Bernard Hoey.

In 2020, Queensland Symphony Orchestra truly cements its position as an ‘Orchestra for Everyone’ with two concerts celebrating famous film scores, Reel Classics and Cinematic, as well as the latest instalments of theHarry Potter and Star Wars Live concert series. The youngest of classical music lovers are in for a treat with a special performance of Abbott’s The Peasant Prince, an interactive experience for the whole family based on Li Cunxin’s best-selling children’s book.

“Queensland Symphony Orchestra is an Orchestra for Everyone, which means we want to be an orchestra for all Queenslanders. We want to offer concerts that appeal to a broad range of people that aims to introduce everyone to the magic of orchestral music. Our concerts – whether that is a Shostakovich symphony or the latest Harry Potter film with orchestra – provide immense joy to those attending,” said Chief Executive Craig Whitehead.

“There is something unique and magical about the sound of a live orchestra and our 2020 season aims to continue to provide that sense of joy, wonder, and spine tingles. Whether you come for the virtuosity of the performers, the emotional journeys that orchestral music can take us on, or just for a wonderful night out, our Orchestra For Everyone aims to have a concert for everyone in our arsenal for next year.”

ABOUT SEASON 2020 – THE MAESTRO SERIES
The Season 2020 Maestro Series features 10 concerts: Power and Glory, Musical Sorcery, Mozart’s Jupiter, Bolero and Beyond, Beethoven and Dvořák, Don Quixote, Music of the Masters, Pyrotechnic Violin, Beethoven 5 and Beethoven’s Emperor.

In February Power and Glory, will be conducted by the UK’s Alexander Prior and features three leading Australian soloists in violinist Emily Sun, cellist Caleb Wong and pianist Aura Go performing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto (the first of many Beethoven works in the 2020 Season), along with Shostakovich’s acclaimedSymphony No. 5 and the WORLD PREMIERE of a new work by Australian composer Melody Eötvös.

In March, much loved conductor Benjamin Northey presents Musical Sorcery featuring Principal Horn of the Berlin Philharmonic, Stefan Dohr performing the joyous Horn Concerto No.1 by Richard Strauss. Audiences are in for a magical treat with the cheeky The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas and organist Andrej Kouznetsov concludes the program with Saint-Saëns’ mighty ‘Organ’ Symphony (made famous from its appearance in the film Babe).

Australian soprano, Emma Pearson returns from a 10-year stint wowing audiences in Germany to perform Britten’s gorgeous Les Illuminations in April’s Maestro concert Mozart’s Jupiter, led by French conductor Alexandre Bloch. The concert also includes Mozart’s Symphony No.41, fondly known as the Jupiter Symphony. Saturday evening audiences will hear another famous work with a nickname: Schubert’s ‘Unfinished’ Symphonyand Friday morning audiences will hear the dramatic overture to Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

May sees the return of Australia’s own saxophone superstar, and two-time Grammy nominee, Amy Dickson performing her own arrangement of Phillip Glass’ hypnotic Violin Concerto. Also featuring in Bolero and Beyond, led by German conductor André de Ridder, is music from Porgy and Bess by Gershwin, Debussy’s glorious La Mer and perhaps the most famous rhythm in classical music history – Ravel’s Bolero!

The second Maestro in May is Beethoven and Dvořák, featuring the inspiring Israeli violinist, Guy Braunstein, who is not only the soloist for this Maestro but conducts it! Braunstein will perform Beethoven’s melodic Violin Concerto, followed by Dvořák’s mighty 7th Symphony – expect a spectacular finale.

In June, audience favourite Giancarlo Guerrero leads the Maestro concert Don Quixote, featuring two major works for cello in Tchaikovsky’s beautiful Variations on a Rococo Theme and Don Quixote by Richard Strauss. Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan stars alongside the Orchestra’s own violist Imants Larsens in this music event which also features either Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 (evening program) or Beethoven’s Egmont Overture (morning program).

Queensland Symphony Orchestra is excited to premiere a work by one of its own musicians, violist Bernard Hoey in July’s Music of The Masters, a concert led by Italian conductor Giordano Bellincampi. Hoey’s piece stars alongside Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.4, and Sibelius’ finger-busting but evocative Violin Concertoperformed by young Australian violinist protege, Grace Clifford.

In August, the Orchestra welcomes back local violin virtuoso, Ray Chen for a morning and evening of high-wire virtuosity on his original Stradivarius violin. In Pyrotechnic Violin Chen performs Saint-Saëns’ 3rd Violin Concerto, a crowd-pleasing showpiece if there ever was one. Then his partner-in-art for the evening, Brazilian conductor Eduardo Strausser – described by New Revolution as ‘a real force of nature’ – leads the Orchestra into the serene and radiant world of Brahms’ Second Symphony.

The final two Maestro Concerts in 2020 celebrate the immense talent of the birthday boy himself, Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven 5 in October features his incomparable Fifth Symphony in a concert also showcasing the QPAC pipe organ in the Concert Hall. Conducted by Daniel Blendulf, and featuring organist Joseph Nolan, audiences will enjoy a rendition of Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue in the Friday morning concert, and on Saturday night, a rare outing of Poulenc’s highly enjoyable Organ Concerto.

The Beethoven series concludes with his mighty ‘Emperor’ Concerto, one of the most stirring, thrilling and moving musical experiences for piano and orchestra, performed by Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov. Another highlight of Beethoven’s Emperor is the return of Queensland Symphony Orchestra Conductor Laureate and former Chief Conductor, Johannes Fritzsch, who brings the 2020 Maestro Season to a close with the soaring heights of Sibelius’ Symphony No.2.

See full program detailed in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra 2020 Calendar.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Season 2020 opens with arguably the greatest in the Star Wars concert series, Return of the Jedi In Concert in February and the fifth instalment of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ in Concert later in August. Film buffs get another treat with a return of the popular Cinematic in May, this time exploring the powerful film scores that depict the heroism and heartbreak of battle.

A special family event takes place in March with Abbott’s The Peasant Prince, an interactive experience complete with storytelling and big-screen projections, based on Li Cunxin’s best-selling children’s book. 2020 sees the return of popular concerts Opera Gala in April, The Last Night of the Proms in June and Handel’sMessiah in November.

In August, Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s 250th birthday celebration Beethoven comes to a climax withOde to Joy. Conducted by the incomparable Simone Young and featuring a range of soloists and a breathtaking chorus, this performance of the majestic Choral Symphony No.9 (arguably Beethoven’s greatest masterpiece) will be epic.

MUSIC ON SUNDAYS
Under the always-entertaining baton of Guy Noble, Season 2020’s Music on Sundays opens in March with The Ballet Beautiful, taking audiences on a journey through the history of French ballet. Happy Birthday Beethovenin May will feature the multi-talented Guy Braunstein as conductor and soloist in a concert that includes several highlights of Beethoven’s music, concluding with a rendition of his funniest work, his Symphony No.8.

Vienna and Beyond in August highlights music from Viennese composers as well as music from eastern European countries that influenced music written in Vienna – just like a road trip around Europe without the hassle of passports! This concert is conducted by Elena Schwarz and features Queensland Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Warwick Adeney on violin. In September, Guy Noble hosts Reel Classics featuring the stirring Overture to Lawrence of Arabia, the exhilaration of the flying bikes in E.T’s Adventures on Earth, and Michael Giacchino’s lively Bond-inspired theme to The Incredibles.

CHAMBER PLAYERS SERIES
The intimate Chamber Players series gives audiences the chance to be up-close and personal with the talented Orchestra musicians in their home studio and in 2020 features five concerts, beginning with Beethoven and Brahms in February; Beethoven, Rossini and Weber in April; Mozart and Golijov in June; Brahms, Muczynski and Martinů in August, and Mozart, Strauss and Adams in September.

www.qso.com.au

It is part of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concert, Soulful Journeys, conducted by Maestro Daniel Blendulf and featuring one of Brisbane’s finest choral ensembles, Canticum Chamber Choir. Along with Dvořák’s Concerto, the program includes Dubussy’s mesmerising Nocturnes and Australian contemporary composer, Lachlan Skipworth’s exploration of the psychological and primal impact of the wind, Spiritus.

Cellist Ferrandaz is himself no stranger to acclaim, being described as ‘truly special’ and ‘a true musician’. Having played the cello since he was 3, he has built an international reputation that has earned him the honour of being the first Spanish cellist to be loaned a Stradivarius from the Nippon Music Foundation. That Stradivarius is called Lord Aylesford and is one of the oldest in the world, dating from 1696.

Soulful Journeys
Mysterious, Mellow, Smooth
‘I want to take listeners to a place that’s kind of familiar but also unsettling,’ says Australian composer Lachlan Skipworth about Spiritus, an exploration of the psychological and primal impact of the wind. Stylistically, the music glimmers with transparency, fresh harmonies and inventive timbral blends. Dream in Debussy’s impressionistic Nocturnes, where a women’s wordless chorus contributes another skein of luminous colour in these stunning forays into light and shade. Championed by numerous cello greats, Dvořák’s soulful concerto radiates tuneful glory. Branded the ‘greatest’ by music lovers, the ingenious scoring ensures the cello’s sorrowful voice is always distinctly heard.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra – Soulful Journeys
Saturday 8 June 7.30pm
Concert Hall, QPAC
www.qpac.com.au

It’s an Australian work by artist and author John Harrison and composer and QSO Section Principal Percussion David Montgomery.

Held in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra studio at South Bank, this 45 minute concert is perfect for children beginning their musical journey. It presents a wonderful opportunity to discover the instruments of the orchestra and delve deeper into the world of music. This is the ideal environment for your little music lovers to experience a live orchestra. Fergal Onions tells the story of a young girl who practises Mozart on her violin and inspires her older neighbour to dust off his saxophone and spend some time away from the TV. This interactive concert also introduces the instruments of the Orchestra.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra Presents Fergal Onions
6 & 7 March with shows at 10am and 11.30am daily
Queensland Symphony Orchestra Studio, South Bank
For more information and tickets visit www.qso.com.au

On Saturday 19 May 2018, Queensland Symphony Orchestra will perform the magical score to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban live while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 12-metre screen.

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry, Ron and Hermione, now teenagers, return for their third year at Hogwarts, where they are forced to face escaped prisoner, Sirius Black, who seems to pose a great threat to Harry. Harry and his friends spend their third year learning how to handle a half-horse, half-eagle creature known as a Hippogriff, repel shape-shifting Boggarts and master the art of Divination.

They also visit the wizarding village of Hogsmeade and the Shrieking Shack, which is considered the most haunted dwelling in Britain. In addition to these new experiences, Harry faces a werewolf and must overcome the threats of the soul-sucking Dementors. With his best friends, Harry masters advanced magic, crosses the barriers of time and changes the course of more than one life.

Earning an Oscar-nomination for the score, the spellbinding and incredible music composed by John Williams became an instant classic, conjuring beautiful, soaring motifs continuing the adventures of Harry Potter on his magical journey.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ – in Concert
Sat 19 May 2018 1.30PM and 7.30PM
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
www.qso.com.au/harrypotter