Zubin Mehta conducted Aussie orchestra set for final shows

Under the baton of renowned music maestro Zubin Mehta, the acclaimed Australian World Orchestra featuring operatic soprana and cricket legend Don Bradman's granddaughter, Greta Bradman, is set to perform its final shows here beginning tomorrow.
Two concerts on October 30 and October 31 promise to be an "exciting showcase of the very best musical talent from both countries," according to Australia's High Commissioner Patrick Suckling.
"Maestro Mehta formed a strong bond with the AWO when he conducted their 2013 season in Sydney and Melbourne, and it is wonderful to see them reunite in India to once again create sublime music together," Suckling said in a statement today.

This is the first tour of the orchestra, which was formed five years ago. It recently wrapped up performances in Mumbai and Chennai of its India tour.
The orchestra, comprises classical musicians who play with the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, as well as some of the world's greatest orchestras, including the Berlin, Vienna and Israel Philharmonic Orchestras, and the Chicago and London Symphony Orchestras.
Greta is an award winning, critically acclaimed operatic and concert classical singer, and a recording artist who commenced her professional career in 2010 and has performed with operas, orchestras and choirs in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK.

Her debut album "My Hero", was recorded in May 2015 with the English Chamber Orchestra and Maestro Richard Bonynge, husband of the great Dame Joan Sutherland.

"I am absolutely humbled and overwhelmed to be working with maestro Mehta, who has long been a musical hero of mine. To do so with the Australian World Orchestra is incredibly exciting and a dream come true. I'm looking forward to working with maestro Mehta and to visit the beautiful country of India for the very first time," she said.
Ambassador Suckling said the orchestra was an excellent example of expanding cultural exchanges arising from the Memorandum of Understanding on Arts and Culture, which Australia and India signed last year.

"The cultural relationship between Australia and India is growing stronger and stronger, with an increasing tempo of exchange in a whole range of areas, from music, art and dance, to literature, fashion and film," he said.
Next year India is scheduled to hold a 'Festival of India' in Australia, which will provide Australian audiences with an opportunity to engage in the best of classical and contemporary Indian culture.