Russian Ark floats into Open Day
St Basil Cathedral on Red Square in Moscow, Russia
A spectacular musical journey into the heart and soul of modern Russia will be presented for all to attend at this year’s Monash Open Day.
A performance titled Russian Ark, hosted by the Monash University Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA) and performed by the Monash Academy Orchestra (MAO), is the second Open Day concert presented by MAPA.
Executive Director of MAPA, Dr Peter Tregear, said Russian Ark, is a concert of grand symphonic music that is at once passionate, ironic and carnivalesque.
“Last year we mounted a concert under the baton of Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Frá Professor Richard Divall AO ABE, to a packed Robert Blackwood Hall. We decided it was an experiment worth repeating,” Dr Tregear said.
This concert will showcase the orchestra – an elite music ensemble which is open to all students and staff at Monash University – to prospective students. Russian Ark will be conducted by MAO’s Artistic Director, Fabian Russell, and also features the Monash University Singers, the School of Music – Conservatorium’s choir, prepared by Dobbs Franks
Internationally recognised virtuosi musicians Kristian Chong and Caroline Henbest will feature on the piano and viola respectively.
“MAPA regularly enables the orchestra to perform with outstanding soloists such as these. MAO has become renowned in recent years not just for the quality of its playing, but also the quality of its programming, and this concert is no exception,” Dr Tregear said.
Dr Tregear said prospective students are welcome to get involved with MAO, and can contact MAPA to arrange a discussion and possible audition with the orchestral staff.
“Monash University is unique in Australia in providing such a vibrant public performance program, and in having – on its Clayton and Peninsula campuses – truly outstanding performance venues,” Dr Tregear said.
“We encourage Open Day visitors to come see our venues and pick up a copy of our season brochures to get an idea of the scale and quality of the performing arts programs available at Monash.”
Russian Ark will be held at 2.30pm on 5 August at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Building 2, at Monash University’s Clayton campus. A pre-concert talk with Dobbs Franks will begin at 1.45pm. This performance is part of the Monash University Arts Festival Liquid Archive.
Monash University Open Day will take place on Saturday 4 (Berwick, Gippsland and Peninsula) and Sunday 5 August (Caulfield, Clayton and Parkville).
To help make the most of Open Day 2012, visit the website - the new online planner allows you to explore and choose from over 600 event activities.