By Blake Phillips
Last Friday night, Brisbane’s Concert Hall at QPAC was transformed into a vibrant piazza of passion, power, and drama. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Italian Gala promised a journey through the heart of Italian music without the burden of a 24-hour flight, and it delivered exactly that—an impeccable, transporting performance that left the audience spellbound .
Under the baton of Chief Conductor Maestro Umberto Clerici, the orchestra proved to be completely in sync, moving effortlessly between playful instrumental movements and deeply emotional operatic masterpieces. Leading the musicians on stage with her trademark brilliance was QSO’s exceptional Concertmaster, Natsuko Yoshimoto, whose exquisite artistry grounded a performance that felt both electrifyingly alive and entirely seamless.
A Breathtaking Tour of Italian Opera
The first half of the evening was a whistle-stop tour of Italy’s rich, UNESCO-inscribed operatic tradition . Taking centre stage to bring these stories to life was soprano Eva Kong, whose vocal power was nothing short of breathtaking.
Filling the entire theatre with her engaging presence, Kong delivered magnificent renditions of:
- Gaetano Donizetti’s Quel guardo il cavaliere from Don Pasquale ,
- Giacomo Puccini’s Chi il bel sogno di Doretta from La Rondine, and
- Giuseppe Verdi’s soaring Sempre libera from La Traviata.
Interspersed with orchestral triumphs like the iconic Overture to Rossini’s The Barber of Seville , Puccini’s soul-stirring Intermezzo from Manon Lescaut, and Verdi’s jovial Act 3 Ballet from Macbeth , the first half set an incredibly high bar.
The Magic of the Accordion
While choosing a single highlight from such a stellar program is near impossible, the second half of the night reached new heights of emotional intensity, largely thanks to the incredible performance of world-renowned classical accordionist James Crabb. Crabb demonstrated the awesome power and versatility of his instrument across three beautifully distinct pieces.
Right after the interval, the audience was treated to a rare alignment of virtuosos. Umberto Clerici momentarily swapped his conducting baton for a cello bow, joining James Crabb and Concertmaster Natsuko Yoshimoto on violin. Together with the orchestra, the three virtuosos performed Antonio Vivaldi’s Triple Concerto in C (expertly arranged by Crabb). The musical dialogue and radiant energy between the three soloists and the orchestra created a truly magical fusion of strings and accordion.
Following the Vivaldi, Crabb held the audience captive with the rhythmic, electric tango energy of Astor Piazzolla’s Bandoneón Concerto “Aconcagua”. The evening finally drew to a triumphant close through a cinematic lens, with the orchestra performing selections from Nino Rota’s brilliant La Strada Suite.
A Cultural Treasure Worth Celebrating
In response to an extraordinary evening of music, the QPAC audience erupted into rapturous applause and handed out several well-deserved standing ovations.
Beyond the sheer entertainment value, the night served as a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to have such a world-class ensemble based right here in Queensland. Rather than viewing them merely as a static institution, the Italian Gala reminded us how vital it is to cherish, support, and celebrate the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as a living, breathing cultural treasure.
