Melbourne Digital Concert Hall Entertains At Home

Melbourne Digital Concert Hall presents Faces Of Our Orchestras an eight-night festival highlighting the amazing individuals and artistry of Melbourne’s orchestral world. Over eight evenings, MDCH is streaming 14 one-hour recitals live from the Athenaeum Theatre , offering
the rare chance to experience leading artists up close in a chamber setting while helping them generate much-needed income.

Melbourne Digital Concert Hall is a new social enterprise run by musicians, for musicians. It was created to support the arts industry during the COVID-19 crisis and to provide a means for classical soloists and small ensembles to continue their profession.

‘MDCH is run by musicians, for musicians. This festival enables us to showcase those artists who perform on stage and in the pit – the concertmasters and tutti players – as well as instrument combinations that aren’t so regularly heard,’ says Co-Director Chris Howlett.

Acclaimed Concertmasters Dale Bartrop, Sophie Rowell and Yi Wang bookend a program of recitals that celebrates the full spectrum of instrumental colour and artistry with concerts ranging from solo Bach, string trios and Beethoven cello sonatas to brass ensembles, jazz and an all-Australian concert by PLEXUS.

The opening night on 1 May will feature two concerts. The first, at 7pm, will include string trios by Dvořák and Beethoven, as well as Bach Two Part Inventions. These will be performed by Dale Bartrop with Christopher Moore, David Berlin, Isin Cakmakcioglu and Gabrielle Halloran. At 8.30pm, Principal Violin of Orchestra Victoria, Yi Wang, will perform a stunning solo violin recital.

Full-festival passes are on sale now and are just $200, plus a $20 booking fee that supports members of the wider sector, including a stage manager, streaming technician and piano tuner. Individual tickets will go on sale on Wednesday April 22.

‘For the price of a single pair of concert tickets, you can enjoy eight evenings of musical brilliance from the comfort of your home,’ says Co-Director Adele Schonhardt. ‘More importantly, the entire $200 ticket fee goes straight to the artists themselves, bringing them income, hope and solidarity in these difficult times.’

Launched on 27 March 2020, MDCH offers top-quality streaming from a zero-contact broadcast space that remains fully compliant with Government health and safety requirements. It has so far engaged over 40 artists and raised $80,000 in revenue for Australian musicians, with many more concerts to come.

Other upcoming highlights include Viva! with cellist Josephine Vains and pianist Benjamin Martin; part five of the complete Beethoven violin sonatas featuring Markiyan Melnychenko, Kyla Matsuura-Miller and Rhodri Clarke; a Melbourne Opera Gala, Chopin’s 24 Preludes with pianist Gintaute Gataveckaite, as well as Ian Munro’s ongoing exploration of the Beethoven piano sonatas.

Bookings and details or Ph 0408 339 145 (Chris)