The Melbourne Symphony orchestra is refusing to let the virus stop the music and has come up with an innovative way to ensure Melburnians can still access live(ish) arts.
The MSO has been performing several livestreamed concerts during shutdowns. When the orchestra was forced to stand down and "hibernate" its musicians in mid April, it pivoted to releasing archival performances.
While we're all hibernating this August, the MSO is putting together two special concerts featuring the very best of the orchestra's performances. On Thursday, August 13 audiences can enjoy Best of MSO Live Online Volume 1, featuring performances of Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, Peter Sculthorpe's New Norcia, Brenton Broadstock's And no birds sing, and Lisa Illean's Januaries.
Then on Thursday, August 27 the MSO will be back for Best of MSO Live Online Volume 2, which will see it perform Vaughan William's The Lark Ascending, William Walton's Henry V Suite and Edward Elgar's Serenade Op.20. Both performances can be watched via the MSO's YouTube channel and were filmed prior to the stage four lockdown restrictions coming into effect.
All MSO concerts for 2020 have been cancelled or rescheduled. Ticketholders for these concerts will be contacted concerning refunds, though the MSO is urging guests to donate the value of their tickets to the organisation (and here’s why that’s a good idea).