Cymbal setting: Orchestra Victoria crashes onto Geelong’s waterfront this Saturday.
Erin Pearson
GEELONG’S waterfront will provide a stunning backdrop to a free concert featuring 65 of the state’s finest musicians this weekend.
Organisers said the Orchestra Victoria concert would be a rare opportunity to experience live orchestral music in an open-air venue.
The event would also feature a jamb-packed pre-show program including “fine home-grown performers”, the organisers said.
“A massive stage, a top-of-the-range sound system and a giant video screen will be installed at Eastern Beach for this free all-ages concert.”
The organisers said the event aimed to bring live orchestral music to thousands of people who usually had little experience of full-scale concert hall performances.
The program would include “great composers and orchestral favourites” including Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet overture, Princess Leia’s theme from Star Wars, Bizet and Gershwin and Bernstein’s West Side Story.
“Taking centre stage with the orchestra will be conductor Ben Northey, who’s known for his appearances on Spicks and Specks, and tenor Roy Best, winner of Operatunity Oz,” the organisers said.
The pre-show line-up of local performers and “roving acts” included young soprano Lee Abrahmsen, jazz performer Shandelle Cooke, Geelong band Hip Cats and indy/pop/folk group The Evening Cast.
The organiser said local musician and film maker Stephen Oakes would create a “soundscape and visual projection piece” for the pre-show entertainment, while visual artist Michelle Fifer would install lantern sculptures to light the area.
The roving entertainment would be courtesy of Geelong’s Courthouse Arts.
Geelong Mayor John Mitchell said City Hall was thrilled to host Orchestra Victoria.
“It is a rare opportunity to be able to see such high-calibre musicians and performers for free,” he said.
“Our spectacular waterfront will be the perfect backdrop to the beautiful music of Orchestra Victoria. The night will also showcase some of our talented local musicians and artists.
“It’s going to be a great summer night in Geelong and I encourage everyone to bring a picnic rug down and enjoy this unique community event.”
The organisers said the pre-show entertainment would begin 6.30pm Saturday, with Orchestra Victoria’s concert starting 8.30pm.
