New principal conductor and musical director, Dr Anthony Clarke, wants the Sutherland Shire Symphony Orchestra to be the jewel in the crown of the shire’s cultural life.
Dr Clarke was appointed in May this year, following the retirement of the orchestra’s revered and long-serving principal conductor and musical director, Sven Libaek, who officially completed his tenure at the end of last year after more than 20 years.
Dr Clarke holds an impressive array of international and Australian musical accomplishments.
He has collaborated with Sir Charles McKarras, Jose Carreras, members of the Australia Ensemble, and with popular international artists such as Barbra Streisand and Michael Crawford.
As a conductor and solo violist, Dr Clarke’s concert schedule includes engagements in Australia, Europe, China and the UK and covers a diverse range of genres and audiences including TV and radio broadcasts, subscription series concerts, New Year’s Eve gala concerts, world premières, as well as concerto and recital soloist performances.
Dr Clarke said he was pleased to have taken up the position with SSSO, and was keen to lead the orchestra into its next phase.
“Sutherland Shire Symphony Orchestra has been active for 47 years, and I aim to build on the solid foundations and successes of the orchestra to date to help it reach for further accomplishments,’’ Dr Clarke said.
‘‘My vision is for the SSSO to be the jewel in the crown for Sutherland Shire’s cultural life.
‘‘This will involve the orchestra working towards becoming an integral part of the community, something the shire can be proud to acknowledge as its own.
“I have been warmly welcomed by the orchestra members and have been impressed by their enthusiasm as we’ve worked on preparing the repertoire for the August concert.”
Dr Clarke will lead the orchestra in an exciting interpretation of Dvorak’s celebrated Symphony no. 9, From the New World, when he conducts the orchestra for the first time in concert on Sunday, August 27 at Sutherland Entertainment Centre.
‘‘I encourage everyone in the community to come along and enjoy an afternoon of wonderful music.”
In addition to the New World Symphony, the concert will also feature superb soprano soloist Juliette Moon.
The concert will start at 2.30pm with a pre-concert talk with Dr Clarke in the entertainment centre foyer at 2pm.
- Details and ticket information at ssso.org or find it on Facebook or call 9521 8888.