28 October 2015 PA-CN/10/03
Australian World Orchestra takes Chennai by Storm
Australian Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb welcomed the growing cultural engagement between India and Australia represented by the Indian tour of the internationally renowned Australian World Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Zubin Mehta.
“I am delighted to have been in Chennai to enjoy a truly outstanding performance by the Australian World Orchestra, under the conductorship of the legendary Zubin Mehta,” said Mr Robb. “The Australian World Orchestra exemplifies the quality of Australian cultural products, which are absolutely world-class.”
“This is one of many cultural activities planned by Australia under a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in 2014 to encourage arts and cultural engagement between India and Australia,” Mr Robb added.
The Australian World Orchestra (AWO) was formed in 2011. Currently, around half of the players reside overseas where they hold leading positions in some of the world’s great orchestras, including the Berlin, Vienna and Israel Philharmonic orchestras, the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Chicago and London Symphony orchestras.
The AWO was invited to tour India by the great Indian conductor, Zubin Mehta, following his performances in Australia with the orchestra in 2013. Commenting on the tour, Maestro Mehta said: “Conducting the Australian World Orchestra in Sydney and Melbourne in 2013 was indeed a great artistic experience for me. It is, therefore, with the greatest joy that I have invited this orchestra, which I consider one of the world’s best, to my country in October 2015.”
The concert in Chennai, conducted by Maestro Mehta, featured music by Mozart, Rossini and Brahms, with a special guest performance by Australian soprano Greta Bradman, granddaughter of Australian cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman.
The Chennai concert of the AWO was sponsored by a group of eleven leading Chennai business houses. “I am very appreciative of the tremendous support offered by the business community here in Chennai to showcase contemporary Australia’s vibrant and diverse culture,” said Mr Robb.