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Into The Wild

DARWIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (DSO) is preparing for a wild adventure into the animal kingdom for its first show of the year, A Carnival of Animals. The enchanting concert is a treat for the whole family, featuring performances of Camille Saint-Saëns’ ‘The Carnival of the Animals’, Vaughan Williams’ ‘The Lark Ascending’, and other animal-themed orchestral favourites. Local favourite Shalom Kaa is hosting the big event – Tamara Howie caught up with him for a quick chat.

Tell us everything we need to know about the show.
It’s going to be a virtual visit to the zoo! Carnival of the Animals is such a cool piece of music where the orchestra cleverly replicates the sounds of the wild. You’ll hear the orchestra replicate the march of the lion, the sounds of an aquarium, and even a tortoise doing a very, very slow version of The Can-Can!

What animals could seamlessly join the orchestra? Birds on flute and elephants on trumpets?
I feel like crocodiles could be quite percussive, and yes, flamingos on flutes would be lovely. Baboons on French horn, bald eagles on crash cymbals and swans on violin.

So, if you were an animal, what would you be and what instrument would you play?
I’d be a cat. I’m so unmotivated at times. And I’d play the giant symbol, ‘cause I’d only have one job!

Have you got a favourite musical piece in the show?
I’m looking forward to being taken back to the movies when the DSO performs the highlights from Jurassic Park. I can’t believe the first film was almost 30 years ago.

Sounds amazing! Anything else we should prepare ourselves for?
The show is going to be immersive. At times, you may want to sit back and imagine yourself in the jungle, and at other times you’ll see the adventure of the wild in the physicality of the players. Such theatre!


Carnival of the Animals
WHEN SAT 27 MAR | 6.30PM
AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
COST $20 - $60 | $130 FAM
INFO yourcentre.com.au | dso.org.au

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