A Date with the Romantics
Meet the Conductors
Misha Machlak
Misha’s love for music stems from an upbringing in a musical family and extensive orchestral experience, but while his career direction steered towards meteorology, music is something that will never leave his side. Misha had his conducting debut with the Glen Eira Youth Orchestra in 2019 under the guidance of Anthony Brookes. He joined the Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2020 to let his love for orchestral music continue and has been enjoying the vibrant and energetic enthusiasm of the orchestra. Misha’s passion for dramatic story telling through music serves the perfect medium to conduct the VYSO once again.
Eric Ho
Eric’s passion for music has driven him to pursue a career in music education, along with the occasional musical theatre gig here and there. Eric’s enthusiasm for conducting began in high school and he has developed his craft as assistant conductor of the John Mallinson Youth Band, under the tutelage of Joseph Yu. During his time with the Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra, he’s had many opportunities to share his enthusiasm for performance with fellow musicians and is excited to return to share the podium at VYSO’s first concert of the year.
Johann STRAUSS II - Die Fledermaus Overture
A tale of revenge and mistaken identity at a boozy masquerade ball.
Dr. Falke, who had drunk a lot and disguised himself in a bat costume, was abandoned by his friend Eisenstein. He is then laughingly called “Dr. Bat.” Dr Falke plots revenge against his friend Eisenstein. Confusion ensues.
Jean SIBELIUS - Finlandia
Although this work began its life under the name 'Impromptu’, Finlandia become one of Sibelius’ most well-known works (much to the chagrin of the composer). Written as a protest piece against the increasing censorship from the Russian Empire, Sibelius infuses his work with the peoples’ struggle and pride in their country. It was so well received, the Hymn at the centre of this piece has taken a life of its own and is performed as a choral work separately, often being mistaken for a Finnish folk melody even though it is Sibelius’ original work.
George BIZET - Selections from Carmen Suite 1&2 (Les Toréadors, Habañera, Chanson Bohème)
Carmen is a seductive Seville gypsy whose charm does not escape the brigadier Don José, who falls madly in love with her. José abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts his military duties, yet loses Carmen's love to the glamorous bullfighter Escamillo, after which José kills her in a jealous rage.
Edward ELGAR - Salut d'Amour
Originally written for solo violin and piano, Salut d’Amour is Elgar’s love letter to his fiancé, Caroline Alice Roberts. Initially titled Liebesgruss, this famous romantic work was actually not so famous until the publishing company Schott retitled it into French and this helped boost sales all across Europe. Maybe there is something to the belief that French is the most romantic language?
Andrew Lloyd WEBBER arr. Custer - Selections from The Phantom of the Opera
Based upon the French novel of the same name, Webber’s Phantom has awed generations of theatre lovers and cemented itself as one of the most beloved shows. Although the show recently closed on Broadway, you can relive the famous organ motif and declarations of love in today’s performance. Let VYSO play to you the Music of the Night as we take you on a journey through a strange (but very familiar) new world.
STEINMAN and PITCHFORD arr. Jennifer Lindberg - Holding Out for a Hero
Bonnie Tyler’s classic, made famous on the soundtracks of Footloose and Shrek 2. Sing along!
Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the streetwise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed
Late at night, I toss and I turn
And I dream of what I need
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
Somewhere after midnight
In my wildest fantasy
Somewhere, just beyond my reach
There's someone reaching back for me
Racing on the thunder
And rising with the heat
It's gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet, yeah
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I could swear there is someone, somewhere watching me
Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach like a fire in my blood
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night