Vivaldi is in the starting line-up. Football’s biggest names have been sidelined, for now.
Some of Australia’s finest classical musicians will return to Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium on Thursday, November 17 as the Greater Sydney Orchestra (GSO) prepares to open its first season with a launch event at the venue.
The Greater Sydney Orchestra aims to re-define the cultural identity of Greater Sydney and show that great music is no longer limited to the world’s concert halls.
GSO members took to the hallowed turf of CommBank Stadium in 2020 in preparation for their launch only to be crash-tackled by the global pandemic.
Now they are back and opening their creative hearts to music lovers everywhere with an official launch event at the Stadium.
This three-hour event will feature a screening of the Greater Sydney Orchestra’s rendition of ‘Vivaldi: The Four Seasons’ in full on the big screens of CommBank Stadium, along with a live feature performance from members of the orchestra.
“We are absolutely thrilled to officially be launching the GSO in the heart of Western Sydney at CommBank Stadium,” said Greater Sydney Orchestra CEO Jay Seeney.
“This is an orchestra by the people, for the people, and this event signifies a new era of orchestral music for western Sydney.
“This is also a rare opportunity for music lovers and supporters to meet and mingle with the musicians of GSO and to be serenaded by our resident string quartet while canapes and drinks are served.
Violist and Chairperson Andrea Ng said playing in a stadium was “surreal”.
“It just opened up so many new ideas and possibilities on how the GSO can bring classical music to the masses and not just for the inner-city sanctum,” she said.
“Classical music should be for everyone, not just for the people who can afford it.”
The event will be held at CommBank Stadium on Thursday, November 17. Tickets are available from Humanitix.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.