SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE ANNOUNCES 2012 UTZON MUSIC SERIES

Sydney Opera House today announced the artist line-up for the 2012 Utzon Music Series, a year-long chamber music program in Sydney. Next year, Sunday afternoons will be transformed as the House hosts some of the world’s finest classical musicians in the Utzon Room.

Sydney Opera House Classical Music Producer Yarmila Alfonzetti, who has programmed the 2012 Utzon Music Series, said that she wanted to “shine a light on the cannon of classical chamber music and create unique intimate moments in an acoustically vibrant setting, by pairing some of the very best music with the most intelligent performers”.

The season features 12 concerts, including four Australian premieres with artists from Italy, UK, USA, Czech Republic, China, Finland and Australia. For the first time in 2012, the concerts will start at the earlier time of 3pm to allow people to enjoy the recitals with the sparkling harbour views. All patrons will receive a complimentary drink from Chandon.

Legendary baroque string ensemble, I Musici will officially open the Series on Sunday 26 February with An Italian Summer. For this special performance the Utzon Music Series will be held on the Bennelong Lawn of the Royal Botanical Gardens, and features a stunning repertoire that includes Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, made famous by this group in the 1952 recording.

Also from Italy, the young tenor Gianluca Terranova will perform a selection of French and Italian opera arias and Neapolitan love songs. English classical pianist, Paul Lewis will share a selection of pieces by Franz Schubert in this three-year quest to discover the intricacies of this composer’s oeuvre.

From the UK, and making his Australian debut, is tenor Ian Bostridge. His performance in the Utzon Music Series will be his only Sydney appearance. Also making their Australian debuts from the UK is the prodigiously talented pianist, Benjamin Grosvenor, and young soprano Sophie Bevan.

Leading dramatic soprano, Deborah Voigt, who is internationally regarded for her performances in the operas of Wagner and Strauss, has a secret that she wants to share with Sydney – she loves to sing show tunes. Deborah will perform a selection of American songs by greats such as Stephen Sondheim, Oscar Hammerstein II and Cole Porter in American Songbook.

Also from the USA, Cameron Carpenter, virtuoso organist and showman who performed with the YouTube Symphony Orchestra earlier this year, will give a rare solo recital on the Grand Organ in the Concert Hall. From China, cellist Jian Wang, a regular soloist with great orchestras around the world, will delight fans with Bach solos.

Afflatus Quintet, the wind quintet of the legendary Czech Philharmonic, will make their only appearance in Sydney as part of the Utzon Music Series and from Finland, Olli Mustonen, will be exploring Bach’s Goldberg Variations in its continuous format.

Another special treat will be Satu Vänskä has chosen three works which encapsulate the glorious range of expression which can be achieved in an intimate setting among friends. She will be performing trios with cellist Timo-Veikko Valve and pianist Ben Martin.

Tickets for the 2012 Utzon Music Series go on sale 24 October (subscriptions) and 15 November (single tickets).

2012 UTZON MUSIC SERIES
Dates: 26 February – 2 December 2012 
Time: 3pm (with the exception of I Musici)
Venue: Utzon Room (with the exception of I Musici and Cameron Carpenter)
Tickets: $85 (or subscription price $60) Youth (U18) $35
Bookings: (02) 9250 7777 or sydneyoperahouse.com