WASO 2020 - Maestros and Mavericks

Provocative, heroic, revolutionary – Ludwig van Beethoven has towered over all others for two centuries. On the 250th anniversary of his birth, WASO perform this ground-breaking composer’s greatest works and celebrate his legacy with Beethoven: The Piano Concertos. Fifteen years of creation distilled over three extraordinary concerts, providing the opportunity to indulge in the complete cycle during a single week.

The Beethoven celebration continues with the composer’s only opera - Fidelio. Presented as a hallmark work of the 2020 Perth Festival with Asher Fisch and German Soprano Christiane Libor leading one of the finest casts ever assembled in Australia. Featuring the full force of WASO, the West Australian Opera Chorus and WASO Chorus with narrator Eryn Jean Norvill, dramatic text by Alison Croggon and directed by Clare Watson, this once in a generation retelling of one of the most inspiring stories ever set to music is completely unmissable.

On World Environment Day, WASO will participate in an international United Nations-led project to inspire everyone to take a stance on climate change. Beethoven’s Pastoral symphony is an evocative portrait of the harmonious and fragile unity between mankind and nature that blooms with rich detail in the hands of Asher Fisch.

In collaboration with Short Black Opera, WASO presents Eumeralla, a war requiem for peace. Combining moving poetry, two choirs, orchestra and the platform of the Requiem mass, a history of heartbreak and horror is revealed in this monumental new work written by Deborah Cheetham AO. With a fusion of Western classical tradition and First Nations culture, Eumeralla soars with resilience and reconciliation.

New in 2020, for those who love WASO concerts but don’t always have someone to go with, Music for Every 1, a meetup at Perth Concert Hall connects solo attendees with others who share a passion for classical music, prior to selected concerts. Spend the afternoon with Western Australia’s world-class orchestra, great international artists and musical masterworks at the Afternoon Symphony Series. This series of matinee concerts includes brilliant works by Rachmaninov, Ravel and Brahms, providing a carefree daytime full classical fix before the weekend. Naked Classics brings great music, a relaxed atmosphere, entertaining insights and the full force of WASO all in about an hour. 

Fifteen years after his first orchestral concert with WASO, Ben Folds returns for two performances of Ben Folds with WASO in March. There’s no better way to experience one of the modern world’s most distinctive singer-songwriters than with the full power of this world class orchestra.

Inspired by Grahame Baker-Smith’s poignant story FArTHER, the soaring concert Dreams of Air and Flight is one for the whole family. Featuring music by WASO’s Education Artist in Residence, Paul Rissmann set to stunning animations by Victor Craven in a concert program also featuring famed film composer John Williams. Join WASO and a children's choir as you cast your eyes to the skies this August.

At the Riverside Theatre, the next instalment of the ever-popular Harry Potter in Concert Series, the spectacular Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi – In Concert let audiences experience the beloved films in an all-new way.

The annual barnstorm of flag-waving favourites, Last Night of the Proms is back with a cavalcade of classical hits and patriotic anthems. It wouldn’t be Proms without the traditional sing-along including Jerusalem and Rule, Britannia. Celebrate the reign of one of the world’s most successful Broadway writing teams with two of the brightest shining stars in musical theatre today in The Best of Rodgers and Hammerstein, all backed by WASO. You'll sing along to all the hits including ‘Climb Ev'ry Mountain’ from The Sound of Music and ‘Shall We Dance?’ from The King and I.

WASO’s award-winning Community Engagement and Education programs continue to go from strength to strength in 2020 with Crescendo, Composition Project and Side by Side. With the support of WASO patron Prue Ashurst, 2015 Composition Project participant Olivia Davies will compose a new work to be premiered in the 2020 season as WASO continues to nurture young and emerging artists.

In all, the 2020 WASO Season comprises over 80 concerts and features 25 artists making their WASO debuts.

From the centre of Perth to the furthest corners of Western Australia, every year since 1928, WASO set hearts racing with extraordinary music and exhilarating performances for all West Australians to share.

Asher Fisch appears courtesy of Wesfarmers Arts.

WASO 2020 Subscription Tickets

Season packages on sale now.

For bookings phone WASO on 9326 0000 or waso.com.au

WASO 2020 Single Tickets

Tickets on sale from 9am, Wednesday 16 October 2019

For bookings phone WASO on 9326 0000 or waso.com.au