A refreshing take to old favourites and impressive weather forecast for the future in conclusion to MCO concert series

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra Virtuosi concluded their debut concert series Viva Vivaldi! on Friday evening at the Moonie Ponds Clocktower Centre. An enraptured audience was guided through a meticulous program of Baroque favourites, including an impressive rendition of the Four Seasons from soloist Michael Brooks Reid. Not to be pigeon-holed as masters of the Baroque genre, MCO Virtuosi payed tribute to the old and the new, interlacing Vivaldi with works by Piazzolla and home-grown talent, Nicholas Buc.

MCO Virtuosi is an ensemble within the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, directed by violinist Lerida Delbridge. Throughout the evening Delbridge dazzled us with her highly energetic ensemble leading and performance. In addition we were gifted the timbral delights of somewhat rare instruments the theorbo and baroque guitar. The magnificence of these instruments was revealed over the course of the evening by performer Samantha Cohen, adding a layer of interest unlike any other.

The concert began with Johann Pachelbel’s infamous Canon in D major; a piece I would personally prefer not to hear again. However this rendition was pleasing; the 8-note bass line did not wear thin...