Classical Spectacular

Experience the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s “Classical Spectacular”—a dazzling, chart‑topping journey through the symphonic masterpieces that have shaped our cultural imagination. Conductor Leonard Weiss brings his cinematic flair to the program, while concertmaster Natalie Chee soars above the orchestra as the angelic inspiration of Vaughan Williams’s **The Lark Ascending** invites quiet wonder and reflection. From the frantic, buzzing energy of Rimsky‑Korsakov’s **Flight of the Bumblebee**—which tempts the idea of a buzzing insect threading across Hamer Hall—to the mythic, thunderous intensity of Wagner’s **Ride of the Valkyries**, every piece delivers a unique high‑point. Then, the night takes a jubilant turn with Aaron Copland’s rousing **Hoe‑Down** from *Rodeo*, and the seductive, famed selections from Bizet’s *Carmen*—*Aragonaise*, *Seguidilla*, *Habanera*, and *Les Toréadors*—keep the crowd entranced. The program also spans ballet and film picks that have endeared themselves to audiences for generations, and features delights such as John Williams’s nostalgic **E.T. Flying Theme** and the bubbly overture to Strauss’s *Die Fledermaus*, promising something for everyone and ensuring a guaranteed good time for all! **Program** - Johann Strauss II – *Die Fledermaus: Overture* - Elena Kats‑Chernin – *Dance of the Paper Umbrellas* - Samuel Barber – *Adagio for Strings* - Leonard Bernstein – *West Side Story: Overture* - Pyotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky – *Sleeping Beauty: Waltz* - Richard Wagner – *Die Walküre: Ride of the Valkyries* - John Williams – *E.T.: Flying Theme* - Ralph Vaughan Williams – *The Lark Ascending* - Edward Elgar – *Enigma Variations: Nimrod* - Nikolai Rimsky‑Korsakov – *Flight of the Bumblebee* - Aaron Copland – *Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo: Hoe‑Down* - Georges Bizet – *Carmen Suites: Aragonaise, Seguidille, Habanera and Les Toréadors* **External link** – Details & tickets.