The Mahler Orchestra Announces Sydney and Melbourne Dates

Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Recital Centre today announced the premiere visit to Australia of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra (MCO). Regarded as one of the most artistically interesting and successful ensembles on the international classical music scene, the MCO gives two performances at Sydney Opera House on 10 and 11 June followed by two performances at Melbourne Recital Centre on 12 and 13 June.

When the MCO made its debut at the Teatro Real in Madrid in 2008 Le Monde called it "the best orchestra in the world." The MCO is a travelling orchestra with 45 core members from 20 different countries including one Australian, Kirsty Hilton. The MCO is on the move for approximately 200 days each year and in 2012/13 will perform in 13 countries with performances in major musical centres as well as exclusive festivals. The MCO has been recognised as an official European Cultural Ambassador for the years 2011 to 2013.

The ensemble's flexible structure makes it possible for them to perform a very wide range of repertoire, including everything from chamber music to large symphonies and operas, from baroque to world premieres of contemporary works.

The Orchestra's name refers to their roots in the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. Alongside founder, Claudio Abbado, Daniel Harding is the conductor who has played the most significant role in the Orchestra's history. In the summer of 2011 the musicians voted unanimously to give Harding the permanent title of Conductor Laureate. As the protégé of Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Harding will be making his Sydney debut with the Orchestra on this tour.

The first performance of the Sydney season features internationally renowned violinist Christian Tetzlaff, who was recently profiled in The New Yorker and who has been described by The Guardian as a performer "...few can equal today." Teztlaff performs the virtuosic Beethoven Violin Concerto on a bill including Australian composer Brett Dean and Schumann's Symphony No. 3, Rhenish. The second performance of the Orchestra in Sydney features American star cellist Alisa Weilerstein whose playing has captivated everyone from Daniel Barenboim to local audiences with some of the "most technically complete and emotionally devastating" playing to be heard on the international stage. Weilerstein performs the Shostakovich Cello Concerto No.1and the program concludes with the Orchestra's thrilling interpretation of Dvorak Symphony No. 9 From the New World.

Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
When: Monday 10 & Tuesday 11 June 2013
Time: 7.00pm
Tickets: from $49 (transaction fees apply)
Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com / 02 9250 7777

Where: Melbourne Recital Centre
When: Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 June 2013
Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: from $49 (transaction fees apply)
Bookings: melbournerecital.com.au / 03 9699 3333