ACO Total Immersion

“One of the most special and magical experiences in my lifelong love of music.” – ACO Total Immersion Attendee

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit within an orchestra? To feel the musicians’ connection and hear the music as they hear it?

A unique and unforgettable way to experience classical music, Total Immersion brings you up close with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, as you sit among the musicians to hear and feel the music as they do.

This sell-out piece, produced in collaboration with leading international festival curator Nigel Jamieson, features a series of intimate, immersive performances given throughout different architectural spaces at ACO Pier 2/3.

You will wander through the extraordinary harbourside Belgiorno Room listening from different perspectives and viewpoints to a string quartet of ACO musicians performing Bryce Dessner's extraordinary Tenebre, which features pre-recorded vocals from singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens. Then we invite you to take your place sitting somewhere amidst the full Orchestra in the Neilson, as they perform orchestral works by Samuel Barber, Wojciech Kilar and more.

You’ll be guided through our venue, including via backstage areas usually not open to the public, with one ticket giving you access to the complete event across all venues.

Artists

Helena Rathbone, director & violin
Australian Chamber Orchestra

Program

Belgiorno Room (ACO String Quartet)
BRYCE DESSNER Tenebre

The Neilson (Australian Chamber Orchestra)
SAMUEL BARBER Adagio for Strings
WOJCIECH KILAR Orawa
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Selected music for solo violin
OLIVIA BETTINA DAVIES Crystalline