CONTENT COURTESY MELBOURNE DIGITAL CONCERT HALL
It’s been a long time — but now the stage will be swept, the piano tuned, and then after so many dark months, it’s LIGHTS UP MELBOURNE!
Having received the go-ahead from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, Melbourne Digital Concert Hall is thrilled to return home to the Athenaeum Theatre this weekend for a five-concert celebration of leading artistry, all streamed live in a COVID-19-safe setting with the box office proceeds going straight to the artists.
“This weekend of single-household recitals goes back to the roots, the start of MDCH, with our city’s iconic artists doing what they do best, performing live,” artistic director Chris Howlett says.
“It’s brilliant to welcome back Kristian Chong, Stefan Cassomenos, Monica Curro, Elyane Layssade, William Hennessy and Zoe Knighton to tread the boards again at Australia’s oldest mainland theatre.
“These concerts are uplifting celebrations of classical music featuring Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Rachmaninov and of course, Melbourne composers.”
The LIGHTS UP MELBOURNE! weekend kicks off on Saturday 24 October at 7pm (AEDT) with celebrated pianist Kristian Chong, followed by brilliant violin-piano duo Monica Curro and Stefan Cassomenos at 8:30pm.
Sunday 25 October sees three favourite Melbourne musicians return to the stage: pianist Elyane Laussade at 5pm (AEDT), cellist Zoe Knighton at 7pm and pianist Ian Munro at 8.30pm.
Five-concert passes are $100, with $90 going directly to the musicians and $10 helping cover streaming and credit card costs. Single tickets are also available for $24, including a $4 booking fee.
“The joy and slight apprehension in the voices of the artists when I called them on Sunday evening was overwhelming and reminded Adele and me why we do what we do,” Chris says.
“Our heartfelt thanks to Minister Foley and the DHHS for being so supportive, to our core partners at the Athenaeum Theatre, 5stream, Kawai Australia and the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, and to everyone who’s helped us keep the music going in these challenging times.
“We can’t wait to bring live local music into the households of Melbourne and Australia again!”
For bookings and details, visit the MDCH website.
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Image supplied. Credit: Albert Comper.
