SSO Gala Night: Where The Singapore And Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Choruses Join Forces For Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana

CONTENT: Michelle Ng

It is only fitting that the Singapore Symphony Orchestra will be going all out with a majestic orchestral work like Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana for their SSO Gala Night. Joining them on stage from Australia is the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Chorus, as well as the Singapore Symphony Children’s led by Choirmaster Wong Lai Foon.

The Carmina Burana is probably one of the most popular orchestral works of all times, and the first movement, O Fortuna, is probably recognisable by all as it has been covered, remixed, and sampled by various musical acts and even used in movies.

The Programme of the night will start with Maria Grenfell’s Fanfare for A City, an overture opening the night with an exciting brass chorale in Bach style. Enjoy De Falla’s Three Dances from The Three-Cornered Hat, a jovial ballet piece, and the 1991 rendition of the The Firebird Suite by Stravinsky, a Russian folklore ballet that that encompasses big orchestra sound.

The night ends with Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, where you can witness all 25 movements of the iconic masterpiece in person. The cantata is based off the medieval collection of poems of the same name, and covers emotions and topics that are still relevant today; the fickleness of fortune and wealth, the ephemeral beauty of nature, the joy of the return of spring and not to forget the pleasures and perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling, and lust. It would definitely be a night full of eargasms!

The SSO Gala: Carmina Burana is happening on 22 and 23 August 2024 at the Esplanade Concert Hall, tickets from S$38 – S$128 are still available online