Sunday Soiree I

Apparently, the proposed redevelopment of the Willoughby Civic Place is progressing slowly but surely. Once completed, the new Civic Place will have a new 5000-sqm public library, 6000 sqm of landscaped and terraced open space, a 1000-seat concert hall, a 500-seat theatre, a multipurpose/exhibition hall, rehearsal space, a boutique hotel, cafes, retail and commercial space and 460 car spaces. In preparation for this, Willoughby Symphony is moving to a more intimate venue. For three Sundays, a leaner Willoughby Symphony is performing at the Zenith Theatre, right across the Chatswood train station.

For this afternoon, we're having:

• Divertimento in B-flat major, K. 137 by W.A. Mozart
• Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings featuring Tenor Phillip Pratt & Horn Soloist Graham Nicholls by Benjamin Britten
• Piano Concerto No. 13 in C major, K. 415 (387b) featuring Piano Soloist Duncan Gifford by W.A. Mozart

The concert was short and sweet, running a little over an hour. Hearing the concert in a 250-seat auditorium is a new experience for me. You can see the musicians up close and hear every note the instruments make. The orchestra was hesistating a bit at first, but played better as we went along. Today's conductor is Andew del Riccio.