Our heartfelt congratulations to loyal ACO supporter Jean Reed, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday at From Winter’s Stillness at Sydney Opera House last week. We were thrilled to organise a surprise celebration for Jean after the concert, including a meet with, and flowers from, Artistic Director Richard Tognetti.
Jean’s granddaughter, Heather Reed, has attended ‘date nights with Nan’ at the ACO for over 20 years. We spoke with her about her grandmother’s experiences and ongoing love for the Orchestra.
How long has Jean been attending ACO concerts - how did Jean first come to discover the ACO?
Jean and and her late husband, Arthur Reed, emigrated to Australia from the UK in 1992. Their joint passion was always classical music, and they attended a wide variety of concerts since emigrating, often three concerts a week! The ACO very quickly became a clear stand out and a regular in the calendar.
In her years attending concerts, can you tell us about a standout ACO experience for Jean? What made it so memorable?
Twenty years ago, I had an opportunity to attend an intimate ACO rehearsal through work and I was able to invite a guest. Jean was thrilled to be invited at 80 years young. With a new outfit for the occasion and dinner at Circular Quay before the event, this was the commencement of an ongoing tradition for me and Jean. To this day, Jean vividly remembers being just a metre or two away from Richard and his famous violin. This was an experience Jean was able to reminisce about in person with Richard last week, after the concert celebrating her 100th birthday.
Over the past 20 years, Jean and the whole family have experienced so many valuable ACO concert memories together. Recently, four generations of the Reeds attended an ACO Family Day together, including my father Malcolm, and my 4-year old son, Jamie. It was quite incredible that four generations of one family could experience the ACO together - with precisely 95 years between eldest and youngest as Jamie and Jean share the same birthday.
What motivates Jean to keep coming back to concerts whenever she can?
Jean: " The ACO always delivers magnificent performances. Each piece in every concert is a creative masterpiece and beautifully put together. Powerful and graceful all at the same time".
Heather: "I could say the same about you, Nan. Every piece of your 100-year story is beautifully put together. Powerful and graceful all at the same time!"
