Our season opener is core classical repertoire – the Nordic strength and power of Sibelius, a great classical concerto with one of Australia’s most important musicians and musical ambassadors, whose activities in Europe and America define an important international career. These works pave the way for one of the most popular evergreens of the orchestral literature, Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony, From the New World.

Interestingly, both the Sibelius and the Dvořák are inspired by place – Sibelius by the Finnish region of Karelia and Dvořák by his experience of America and memories of his Czech homeland – both countries dwelling in his imagination – with a resultant richness of melody the world still treasures, and with a resonance of the unique sense of place we experience in our city and surrounding landscape.