2019 Annual Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ANNUAL REPORT The TSO Annual Report 2019 | Page 1 RACT Symphony under the Stars, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, 16 February Contents Chair 2 TSO Board 3 Chief Executive Officer 4 The Year In Review 6 Facts and Figures 14 Artistic 18 Artists 20 Recordings and CD Releases 21 Learning and Engagement 22 Orchestra 26 Administration 27 TSO Chorus, Friends & Foundation 28 TSO Patrons 29 Chair Patrons 31 TSO Partners 32 Annual Financial Report 35 Page 2 | The TSO Annual Report 2019 The TSO Annual Report 2019 | Page 1 Chair We experienced another year of Organisationally, 2019 was also Importantly, we retained the strong The TSO is a fabulous organisation TSO Board outstanding music-making and a notable year. Caroline Sharpen financial support of Commonwealth and a great credit to Tasmania. good organisational progress took up her role as Chief Executive and State governments, without We have wonderful musicians, by the Tasmanian Symphony Officer. Under her leadership, which TSO would not exist. a superb Chief Conductor and David Rich Orchestra in 2019. there were a number of important During the year, the two levels Artistic Director Designate, and a Chair achievements. After a thorough of government agreed on a new very strong management team led As always, there were many Donald Challen am investigation of several alternatives, framework for supporting major by our terrific new CEO. The future Deputy Chair musical highlights. Everyone will the TSO agreed a new lease with performing arts companies such is bright for the state’s foremost have their own list, but for me it the Hotel Grand Chancellor that as the TSO. While we will need to performing arts organisation. Timothy Bugg am would include Beethoven and will secure our premises for the apply for renewed funding under We can all be very proud of the Mozart (with Richard Tognetti next decade or more. With this this framework in 2020, we are orchestra. Marilyn Canterford as conductor and violin soloist); commitment and financial support confident that we will continue to Janet Carding Bach’s St John Passion (featuring from the hotel, the Board signed receive the financial support on To conclude, I would like to note (director since 19 May 2019) the TSO Chorus and conducted off on a million-dollar investment which we have relied. that this is my final report as by the distinguished British choral Chair of the Board. It has been in major improvements in the Anna Cerneaz director Stephen Layton); Mozart Despite the small deficit, we ended an enormous privilege – and a acoustics of Federation Concert (director since 23 February 2019) Clarinet Concerto (with our own Hall, work that will be undertaken 2019 with a strong balance with great joy – to serve on the Board Andrew Seymour as soloist); Nordic progressively in 2020. On a worthwhile reserves. This allowed for 12 years, latterly as Chair. My Peter Cretan Spirit (with pianist Javier Perianes different plane, TSO Holdings and the Board to commit to the major sincere thanks to everyone who has (director until 19 May 2019) and Eivind Aadland, our Chief TSO Foundation agreed a protocol investment in acoustics. It will also contributed to the TSO in any way Conductor Designate); and the all- that will ensure that the two stand the organisation in good during this period. Christopher Lawrence Wagner Gala Nina Stemme Returns stead as it faces the challenges of companies work more effectively Harvey Lennon (with Nina Stemme, John Lundgren together in the best short- and 2020 and beyond. and Conductor Laureate Marko long-term interests of the TSO. Letonja). The TSO continues to be served As always, finances remained by a strong and effective Board of We can be rightly proud of our tight during the year. Despite Directors; my grateful thanks to all wonderful orchestra. On behalf of careful management, the company concerned. During the year, Peter David Rich the Board, I would like to warmly ended the year with a modest Cretan stood down from the Board Chair acknowledge the achievements deficit. Particularly problematic after six years of excellent service. of our fabulous musicians. Sadly, was the absence of normally quite We were pleased to welcome during the year two of our long- lucrative commercial concerts Anna Cerneaz, who filled a casual serving artists retired: Sue-Ellen and the increasing difficulty of vacancy, and Janet Carding, who Paulsen, Principal Cello, and Chris securing sponsorship income. was elected by members at the Waller, Clarinet. Sue-Ellen marked Fortunately, audience numbers for AGM. her departure by performing as our mainstream series remained soloist in the Swansong concerts, buoyant and we benefited from the conducted by Marko Letonja. Thank incredible generosity of a growing you to both for their significant number of philanthropic donors. contributions over many years. Page 2 | The TSO Annual Report 2019 The TSO Annual Report 2019 | Page 3 Chief Executive Officer It has been an absolute privilege In 2019 we celebrated the Finally, the TSO Foundation Board to commence as CEO of the achievements of two of the TSO’s and TSO Friends Committee are Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra longest-serving musicians; both wonderful ambassadorial in 2019. I am indebted and ever Sue-Ellen Paulsen, Principal Cello, groups for the TSO. Volunteer grateful to my predecessor, and Chris Waller, Clarinet, who Directors and Members are Nicholas Heyward, for his generous retired after more than 30 years extraordinarily generous with handover and support. Also to in the orchestra. Their years of their time and support of the TSO, the TSO Board, led by David Rich, combined service very nearly providing funds and encouraging whose stewardship and passion for exceed the total lifespan of the TSO participation and philanthropy from this organisation and care for the and their respective contributions others in the community. people in it is an example to all. are immeasurable. Thank you, Sue-Ellen and Chris, for the rich I look forward to working with David has highlighted many of the experiences of music you have all parts of this wonderful initiatives and milestones of 2019. I made possible for all of us, and ‘whole’ as we move towards a would like to thank all the different for the standard you have set for strategic vision of One TSO: one groups of people who come music-making in Tasmania. organisation with the one purpose together to make up and support of being a great orchestra, a our orchestra. Much as it takes a Also in 2019, we welcomed Sercan cultural leader, and an orchestra village to raise a child, it takes a Danis as Associate Concertmaster for Tasmania, representing our community to keep our orchestra and Sarah Morrisby, Director of values of excellence, passion and alive and thriving. At the centre of Philanthropy. We farewelled Brenda respect. I am proud to be one course are our orchestral musicians, Fehlberg after more than 20 years of the stewards of our precious whose talent, dedication, diligence of service, and Ciara Nicholls, who Tasmanian icon, and thank all of and good humour is unsurpassed. resigned as Marketing Manager to the aforementioned orchestra The musicians are supported by relocate to the United Kingdom. family for their stewardship too. an equally dedicated and gifted Strong and resilient, we are here to team of administrative staff and the In terms of our ‘village’, I’d like serve the music and the Tasmanian positive relationships that extend to acknowledge three other community for generations to into the wider community are groups who work tirelessly on come. exceptional. behalf of the TSO. First, the TSO Chorus, our splendid cohort of volunteer musicians who perform regularly with the orchestra and independently. I had the privilege of singing with the chorus in Bach’s St John Passion in 2019. It was a Caroline Sharpen musical highlight for me, but also CEO a personal highlight to witness the devotion of members to the many hours of rehearsal time, logistical planning and enabling wonderful music and social connection. Page 4 | The TSO Annual Report 2019 The TSO Annual Report 2019 | Page 5 The Year In Review A standing ovation greets Marko Letonja, Nina Stemme, John Lundgren and orchestra. In an Australian exclusive, dramatic ‘As with Stemme’s previous TSO Eivind Aadland and the TSO in rehearsal for Nordic Spirit. Nina soprano Nina Stemme and bass- performance, a lengthy standing baritone John Lundgren gave ovation ensued.’ Limelight a one-off concert with the TSO ‘A total triumph!’ Warp Stemme under Marko Letonja in Federation New era under Eivind Aadland Concert Hall on 2 November. ‘Stemme, compelling throughout, The TSO was augmented by was quite magnificent…another makes musicians from the Australian exhilarating performance from National Academy of Music. the TSO.’ Australian Book Review Norwegian maestro Eivind In his sole appearance with the ‘Sibelius’s ‘Symphony No 5 in E triumphant Featuring excerpts from Der Ring Aadland took up the position TSO in 2019, Eivind Aadland flat, Op 82’, one of the greatest des Nibelungen and Der fliegende ‘…one could hardly have hoped of Chief Conductor and Artistic conducted the Master Series of 20th-century symphonies, is Holländer, the all-Wagner gala for better.’ Bachtrack Director Designate at the start of concert Nordic Spirit in Hobart on 9 a miracle of construction. It had return attracted cultural tourists from far 2019. Eivind and the Tasmanian August. In addition to Beethoven’s not been performed in Hobart for and wide with 35% of concert- ‘…how fortunate Hobart is to Symphony Orchestra first became Piano Concerto No 3, the concert around three decades but it was goers travelling from interstate be able to hear (twice!) one of acquainted in 2005, establishing included Flinders and Trim, a immediately clear that conductor or overseas.