BY JESSIE WANG, LEAD WRITER (COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL AWARENESS)
What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?
Whether you’re sharing it with your significant other, your friends, or with the best person in the world (that’s you — because let’s be honest, self-love is the most important type of love), love is something for everybody.
And love has been a major theme in films since the beginning of cinema-making, which is why the Sydney Symphony Orchestra has teamed up with conductor Vanessa Scammell (Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, West Side Story) and host Osher Günsberg (think The Bachelor and The Bachelorette series) for A Valentine’s to Remember at the Sydney Town Hall.
Featuring songs from Gone with the Wind, Romeo and Juliet, Titanic, UP, La La Land, and many more, this concert will be one for anybody and everybody who wants to share the spirit of love.
We sit down with vocalist Jemma Rix to chat about the upcoming Valentine’s Day concert.
Hey Jemma. Thanks for the chat today. So, what’s your history with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra?
I’ve had the opportunity to sing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra once before, and that was in 2016 with a concert called Witches. Performing with the SSO has always been on a bucket list of mine, so I’m very excited that I get another chance to sing with them.
How did you get involved in this Valentine’s Day concert?
I’ve worked with conductor Vanessa Scammell on concerts before – she’s conducting the SSO’s A Valentine’s to Remember performances, so I believe she may have put my name forward, which I’m very happy about.
Give us a spill of what this concert will be like! Who will be there? What sort of music will be played?
The concert is going to be filled with musically lush and romantic love songs performed by the SSO. I will be singing some classic ballads, and Osher Günsberg will be swooning the crowd with his low, soft and husky voice, just like in The Bachelor and Bachelorette series.
The concert will be hosted by Osher, who’s probably Australia’s most beloved love guru (I think we all have a love-love or a love-hate relationship with The Bachelor and The Bachelorette). What are you expecting this particular concert to be like with him hosting?
I’m a massive fan of The Bachelor and Bachelorette so I’m fangirling about meeting Osher! He will be the perfect host for this event because he knows more about love than anyone. I hope he says the line, ‘Will you accept this rose?’ in his classic Bachie voice!
What are you most looking forward to about this concert?
Hearing the SSO perform – the sound they create is so full and warm. I’m sure they will give me goose bumps, and maybe even a few happy tears.
What does Valentine’s Day mean to you? Why is it important?
It’s always nice to have a set special date. It forces you to slow down from the fast pace of life and spend some quality time together, and share your love and gratitude for each other.
See the SSO perform A Valentine’s to Remember at the Sydney Town Hall this February 14 and 15.
Images supplied.
