Ageing and the arts

The Australian Chamber Orchestra will now run a Sydney-based matinee series of concerts, featuring the same musicians and program as the night series, so that older people living alone and in residential facilities can attend.

The Australian Chamber Orchestra has modified its program for 2013 to be more inclusive of older people

By Yasmin Noone

The shifting demographic sands are impacting upon, not just the aged care sector, but society as a whole.

As Australia’s population ages at a faster rate than ever, tastes are changing and markets are responding: arts-based markets included.

By the close of the 2012 season, the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) will have performed at Sydney’s City Recital Hall Angel Place 21 times in the evening but never during the day.

That’s despite the fact that evening-only performances exclude older people who might feel uncomfortable or are unable to venture out at night without assistance from witnessing a world-class classical music performance.

But come February 2013 and session times will change. The internationally renowned ACO will become more accessible to all ages and abilities once it implements its new seven-concert series of Friday matinee performances.

These matinee performances will feature exactly the same musicians as the ACO’s evening concerts: the famous 17 piece ensemble featuring 10 violin positions, three violas, three cellos and one double bass. And the orchestra will also adhere to the same program as the evening shows.

According to the orchestra, the change will purposely attract audiences of older classical music appreciators, and those in the older cohorts – living at home and in residential facilities – who might like to be treated to a day out.

“It’s a new thing,” said the Canberra-born Julian Thompson, who has played cello for the ACO since 2006.

“…We have been talking about doing matinee shows now for years but have never been able to fit it in with our structure, but now that we have restructured our program, we are able to do it.”

To encourage an older audience to attend, concessions will be available to Centrelink-issued pension card, Veterans’ Affairs pension card and Health Care card holders.

Aged or community care groups with eight or more people will also receive a discount.

The Angel Place venue was selected as the matinee location for its great acoustics and reputation as a performance hall and because it can be easily reached by public transport, has accessible seating throughout the venue and there are accessible toilets located on each level.

The Pitt Street entrance offers level access into the ground-floor lobby and two public lifts service each of the venue’s three levels. Wheelchair positions in the hall are available on a first come first served basis.

“Music really is the universal language.

“No matter what a person’s experience is with the orchestra, it will touch you on some level and speak to you in some capacity.”

The Sydney matinee series

The first ACO 2013 Angel Place matinee performance will be held on February 15 and will feature the ACO’s artistic director, Richard Tognetti, in Tognetti’s Mozart.

The 2013 series guest line-up includes Barry Humphries, livewire violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja, counter tenor Andreas Scholl singing Vivaldi, and Finnish clarinettist Martin Fröst performing Mozart’s famous Clarinet Concerto, which featured in the film Out of Africa.

A highlight will be Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.3 – Tognetti’s favourite Mozart violin concerto.

Tognetti has recorded all five Mozart violin concertos on the prestigious European label BIS. Of No.3, International Record Review.

“I can think of few other recordings of these pieces that so consistently grab the listener’s attention,” the International Record Review said.

Also on the program will be Mozart’s Symphony No.25. Written when the composer was only 17, this music featured in the dramatic opening scenes of the Academy Award-winning film Amadeus.

For a change of pace, Tognetti will swap his priceless Guarneri del Gesú  violin for a six-stringed electric violin to perform a new composition by Brett Dean called Electric Preludes. Dean will conduct the performance of this exciting new work.

“It’s a fantastic band, full of great musos who perform a really interesting schedule and really varied music,” said Mr Thompson.

“The orchestra’s reputation is rightly considered the best or at least one of the best chamber orchestras in the world. And it’s regularly reviewed saying as much.

“On top of that, the performances are really dynamic and exciting.

“…The season is going to be huge.”

For details and bookings go to aco.com.au or call 1800 444 444, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (AEST).

Fri 15 Feb 1.30pm: Tognetti’s Mozart
Fri 26 Apr 1.30pm: Barry Humphries Music from Berlin
Fri 21 Jun 1.30pm: Richard Tognetti Presents ACO2
Fri 2 Aug 1.30pm:   Barefoot Fiddler
Fri 23 Aug 1.30pm: Brahms Piano Quintet
Fri 4 Oct 1.30pm:    Andreas Scholl Sings Vivaldi
Fri 22 Nov 1.30pm:  Mozart Clarinet Concerto
 

Tags: aco, angel-place, arts, australian-chamber-orchestra, cello, mozart, orchestra, recital-hall, tognetti,

1 thought on “Ageing and the arts

  1. It is extremely pleasing to see the ACO respond so positively to the needs and preferences of older members of the community. As the Executive Director of Arts and Health Australia and the founder of Creative Ageing Australia, I am very mindful of the importance of the arts in contributing to positive ageing and this approach by the ACO is to be applauded. Congratulations to Richard Tognetti and his orchestra.

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