“FIRST Light” refers to music illuminated by the sunrise and it is about to be performed in Port Macquarie by principal musicians of the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra.
They are part of the larger Sydney based orchestra of 40 to 50 Australian musicians, with occasional guest performers from Europe.
The orchestra was formed in 2013 and performed last Easter at the Sydney Opera House.
It will also perform at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in July.
Given the size of the orchestra, smaller groups of principals can take their performances to regional centres.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing our First Light program to Port Macquarie’s beautiful Glasshouse Theatre for the first time,” said Co-Artistic Director and Principal Clarinet Nicole van Bruggen.
“We’ve heard wonderful things about the venue, and we can’t wait to share our music with local audiences, feel their energy in the room, and be part of the region’s vibrant musical community for the evening.”
Ms van Bruggen explained that performances are faithful to the “romantic” era of the 19th Century.
Before then, music was just performed for royalty and upper-class wealthy people in castles or large homes.
This changed when composers like Mozart started writing romantic and passionate pieces that became available to average people in venues such as halls and theatres.
To keep the music authentic, much research is required and some stringed instruments date back a century.
Where historic instruments are not available, meticulously designed reproductions are used.
The clarinet Ms van Bruggen plays was built by a craftsman in Paris using X-rays of a museum piece from the Mozart era.
There is only one performance of “First Light” at the Glasshouse, on Friday 6 March starting at 7.00pm.
By Bill Harrow
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