The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performed their final concert of their European Tour in Copenhagen, in the company of Australian-born Dutch Royal Princess Mary.
THE Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has capped off a triumphant European tour overnight with a performance for Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary.
The Tasmanian-born princess was a special guest at the MSO’s final performance at Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen, where she met some of the musicians and humbly declared how proud she was to be there.
“She was absolutely delightful, just incredibly down to earth,” associate conductor Ben Northey said from Copenhagen after the concert.
“She was a joy to have there and she was just a really great presence to have in a room. It was a very special night. She loved the orchestra and was really proud that this Australian orchestra had come so far and was performing in her new home. She was just incredibly proud.”
Princess Mary meets MSO musicians. Picture: Matt Irwin Photography Source: Supplied
Princess Mary arrives at the concert. Picture: Matt Irwin Photography Source: Supplied
Princess Mary’s presence meant the already strict protocols of orchestral performances were even more formal.
“There were special instructions to the orchestra about their protocols for standing and sitting down, things like that, which are already complicated for orchestras with conductors walking on and walking off,” Northey said.
“I met her and shook hands with her and said hello at interval. It’s hard to believe she’s a mother of four to be honest.”
Princess Mary on her way to the Tivoli Concert Hall. Picture: Matt Irwin Photography Source: Supplied
The concert was the last of five performed in a whirlwind tour of concert halls in London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Ulrichshusen (Germany) and Copenhagen. The company — a touring party of 143 people including 99 musicians — will have boarded 10 flights in 11 days and travelled 30,000km.
Northey said despite meeting royalty, the musical highlight was performing at London’s Royal Albert Hall as part of the Proms, the world’s greatest classical music festival.
He said audiences in every city had been “blown away” by the MSO, which received standing ovations and rave reviews.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Copenhagen concert. Source: Supplied
“That’s what this tour was about, showing the world what the MSO can do, and they’re blooming under the direction of (chief conductor) Sir Andrew Davis. He’s really taken them to another level,” Northey said.
“It’s the best I’ve ever heard the orchestra play and that’s what tours do. They’re on a real high and I think that will be a huge boost for the players and it will carry through as they move into the next couple of seasons.”
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