Arts Minister Rachel Nolan today announced the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) will deliver a free outdoor simulcast of the renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on the Melbourne Street Green.
Ms Nolan said the Orchestra takes to the Concert Hall stage at QPAC on Monday 3 October and in a landmark event the performance will be simulcast free to audiences in Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Townsville and now in the great outdoors at South Bank.
“This is a wonderful initiative from QPAC and its partner venues across the state, enabling thousands of Queenslanders to enjoy a live performance of an orchestra that has a 10-year waiting list in its own home town of Vienna.
“With QPAC shows almost sold out and some of the regional venues exceeding 85 per cent capacity, I have no doubt today’s announcement will be extremely well received.
“We hope to see 3500 ticketholders attend the concerts at QPAC on 2 and 3 October and a further 5000 attend the simulcast events around the state. Bookings to all events are essential as capacity is limited, so make sure you get in quick.”
QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said this was the Vienna Philharmonic’s first visit to Queensland and it was important to share the concert event with as many Queenslanders as possible.
“By delivering the live simulcasts, QPAC can invite audiences to experience one of the world’s most extraordinary companies in a range of different environments,” Mr Kotzas said.
“So whether you are inside our Concert Hall, enjoying a glass of wine on the Melbourne Street Green or in any one of our regional partner centres, this is a fantastic opportunity for people all over Queensland to create their own experience of the Vienna Philharmonic.
“QPAC is planning to expand its program of live simulcasts in 2012 so make sure you keep checking our website for updates – Opera Australia’s simulcasts are among the performances to be seen across the state in the new year.”
The simulcast project has been jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments and is a component of a $2.4 million package which includes the funding of Opera Australia’s performances in Brisbane in 2012 and a simulcast to five regional centres.
For bookings or more information about the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra live simulcast on Monday 3 October or for the QPAC concerts on 2-3 October visit www.qpac.com.au or phone 136 246.