Greater Sydney Orchestra to play at CommBank Stadium

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 Western Sydney’s CommBank Stadium on Thursday 17 November as the Greater Sydney Orchestra 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 (6:30pm to 9:30pm) 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.

Greater Sydney Orchestra CEO Jay Seeney said today: “We are absolutely thrilled to officially be launching the GSO in the heart of Western Sydney at CommBank Stadium. 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.

“The highlight of the evening will be the full screening of the Vivaldi’s Four Seasons followed by a feature performance involving the core GSO chamber ensemble.”

Violist and Chairperson Andrea Ng said of the experience of performing at CommBank Stadium: “For a classically trained musician, a stadium is not our usual performing stage. Playing classical music in a sports stadium was such a surreal experience.

“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.

“If we can bring classical music to new and exciting spaces, we can create a whole new world of opportunity for people who are not usually exposed to it. Classical music should be for everyone, not just for the people who can afford it.”