Grads choristers and audience members still transported by Dvořák’s Stabat Mater can extend their emotional stay in Bohemia until early in June, when the SSO, under Chief Conductor and Artistic Director David Robertson, will give a concert of Czech music. The program includes excerpts from Bedřich Smetana’s set of tone poems, Má Vlast, one of which is the extraordinarily beautiful depiction of the Vltava, the river that runs through Prague (also known by its German name, the Moldau). Also on the program is Dvořák’s masterly Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, one of this composer’s greatest works and a symphony fit to stand alongside those of Brahms.

As well as these Czech works, the program will include the Violin Concerto by the contemporary American composer, John Mackey, to be played by Anthony Marwood.

David Robertson, maintaining his practice of engaging and communicating directly with Sydney music-lovers, will give the pre-concert talk.

The performances will be at 8.00 pm on Wednesday 3, Friday 5 and Saturday, 6 June in the Concert Hall of the Opera House

John Bowan