Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons by Australian Chamber Orchestra

Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra return to the United States with a seven-concert tour, presenting the kind of innovative work that has become their hallmark, exploring Vivaldi’s masterpiece, The Four Seasons, through the lens of the Ottoman Empire. 

The Venice of Vivaldi’s world was one of the great cosmopolitan centres of its time, absorbing influences from the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. In The Ottoman Four Seasons, the ACO performs Vivaldi’s work in its entirety and its glory, joined by oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros and riq’ master James Tawadros, who add irresistible rhythms and thrilling colour through original compositions in this dynamic concert event. 

★★★★★ “One of the most rhapsodic, lyrical, explosive and imaginative  
Four Seasons you’re ever likely to hear.” – The West Australian 

★★★★1/2 “An extraordinarily virtuosic display resulting in the most  
scorching evocation of a summer storm one is ever likely to hear.” – The Age 

“The Australian Chamber Orchestra is uniformly high-octane, arresting and never ordinary.” – The Australian 

The Australian Chamber Orchestra lives and breathes music, making waves around the world for its explosive performances and brave interpretations. Steeped in history but always looking to the future, ACO programs embrace celebrated classics alongside new commissions, and adventurous cross-artform collaborations. 

Led by Artistic Director Richard Tognetti since 1990, the ACO performs more than 100 concerts each year. Whether performing in Manhattan, New York, or Wollongong, NSW, the ACO is unwavering in its commitment to creating transformative musical experiences. 

The Orchestra regularly collaborates with artists and musicians who share its ideology: from Emmanuel Pahud, Steven Isserlis, Dawn Upshaw, Olli Mustonen, Brett Dean and Ivry Gitlis, to Neil Finn, Jonny Greenwood, Barry Humphries and Meow Meow; to visual artists and film makers such as Bill Henson, Shaun Tan, Jon Frank, and Jennifer Peedom, who have co-created unique, hybrid productions for which the ACO has become renowned. 

In addition to its national and international touring schedule, the ACO has an active recording program across CD, vinyl and digital formats. Its recordings of Bach’s violin works won three consecutive ARIA Awards. Recent releases include Water | Night Music, the first Australian-produced classical vinyl for two decades, Beethoven 1, 2, & 3 Eroica and ARIA award-winning albums River and Indies & Idols. 

In 2023 the ACO launched its digital streaming platform, ACO On Demand, which hosts the Orchestra’s award-winning season of cinematic concert films, ACO StudioCasts, alongside live concert streams and premium on demand content.