Arts

Adelaide Showground to host Australia’s first open-air Festival of Orchestra

By Meriel Killeen

Posted on May 31, 2021

The ASO will host a series of six incredible concerts under the stores over ten nights this summer, with food trucks, free community events and activities for all the family.

The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra has announced an incredible new initiative, the Festival of Orchestra, which will sit as the centrepiece of its July – December season later this year.

A magical series of six concerts spread across ten nights, Festival-goers will be able to enjoy a collection of Australia’s most talented classical musicians for a program under the stars from the 26 November to 4 December, at the Adelaide Showground.

With capacity for 5000 patrons each night, the Festival program will feature something to suit every taste, celebrating the world’s greatest orchestral music from the Broadway, to the rock arena, dance clubs and the silver screen, in front of a backdrop of beautiful Adelaide sunsets. A selection of food trucks and bespoke bars will complete the buzzing festival atmosphere.

ASO Managing Director Vincent Ciccarello was thrilled to take the ASO out of the concert hall and onto the Main Arena of one of the state’s best-loved venues.

“We’re bringing back Symphony under the Stars, in the form of our opening night Classical Spectacular, complete with canons and fireworks. We’ll also be joining forces again with SA’s own The Angels, before the Festival culminates in the BBC’s extraordinary Blue Planet II with a score by Hans Zimmer and special guest narrator”.

The Festival has been made possible thanks to a $700,000 grant secured during 2020 through the Federal Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund.

As well as the Festival of Orchestra, detail on pre-concert entertainment, free community events and masterclass opportunities are set to be announced in the coming weeks. The carnival atmosphere will also continue throughout the day with a plethora of fun family activities, demonstrations, games and displays.

Family and VIP packages and a variety of seating options will be available, including picnic tables in the garden for the perfect al fresco evening of summer entertainment.

Adult tickets start from $49 and children from $19.

For a full copy of the ASO 2021 season visit the ASO’s website, here.