Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Barqoue and beautiful in Williamstown

Paying homage to two great moods of the string orchestra – dance and elegy – the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra will next week bring Bach, Bartok and baroque to Williamstown.

The Elegies And Dances concert is part of Hobsons Bay council’s Arts At Your Doorstep program, which provides high-quality classical and cultural performances at reasonable prices.

Seating is around tables and guests are invited to bring hampers and enjoy music with their suppers and refreshments.

Elegies And Dances is a mix of slow, tragic music and uptempo, explorative dance. Works range from Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances to a full-string arrangement of Purcell’s Dido’s Lament, described by some as one of the saddest and most beautiful pieces of music ever written. With more than 250 appearances under his bow, MCO artistic director William Hennessy is sure to please with his solo performance of Bach’s Concerto In A Minor.

The concert is on Thursday, September 4, from 7.30pm at Williamstown Town Hall. Tickets cost $35/$25 concession; discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

Bookings: 9932 4074 or www.hobsonsbaytickets.com.au