Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular (Sydney)

The Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular (Sydney) saw the third through eleventh performances of the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular. It was performed by The Metropolitan Orchestra at Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia between 15-21 December 2012.

Overview

Promotional image.

The concert was announced on 18 September 2012 by BBC Worldwide Australasia and the Sydney Opera House. It was conducted by Ben Foster and hosted by Alex Kingston and Mark Williams.

The Metropolitan Orchestra was accompanied by the Sydney Philharmonia Choir and soloists Antoinette Halloran (soprano) and Daniel Bonic-Goodwin (counter-tenor).

The concert was primarily focused on the Eleventh Doctor, with the majority of the music hailing from Series 5, 6 and 7a.

There were nine performances:

• 15 December 2012 - a matinee at 2pm and an evening show at 7pm.
• 16 December 2012 - a matinee at 2pm and an evening show at 7pm.
• 18 December 2012 - an evening show at 7pm.
• 19 December 2012 - an evening show at 7pm.
• 20 December 2012 - a matinee at 4pm and an evening show at 8pm.
• 21 December 2012 - an evening show at 7pm.

There were sixteen individual pieces in all. Seven pieces were performed, followed by a twenty-minute interval, then another nine pieces.

Some pieces followed the names and themes of their CD release counterparts, while others were extended pieces that used an overarching theme or initial name and piece to lead into other pieces.

Promotional statement

As part of the much anticipated Summer at the House season, the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall will play host to the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular. As the seventh series of the world’s longest-running sci-fi TV show screens in Australia, fans will be given the opportunity to encounter the series’ most fearsome monsters against the backdrop of Murray Gold’s score played live by 80 musicians of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by a 60-strong choir. Anticipating the show’s 50th anniversary in 2013 and inspired by the BBC Doctor Who Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular will see the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra joined by a host of live monsters such as Daleks, Cybermen, Judoon, Clockwork Robots, Scarecrows and the Doctor’s recent opponents, the Silence. Conducted by Ben Foster, the Orchestra will present Murray Gold’s thrilling music from the previous television series. The live music will be accompanied by a big screen presentation of key moments from the TV programme and specially edited sequences showcasing Matt Smith’s performance as the Eleventh Doctor.

Programme

Act One
Piece	Duration	Notes
The Madman with a Box (Prologue)	2'52''	"The Madman with a Box". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
I Am The Doctor	5'52''	"I Am the Doctor" & "Words Win Wars". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
Amy	3'23''	"Amy's Theme" & "The Life and Death of Amy Pond". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
A Stitch in Time	9'19''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "The Curse of the Black Spot", "You're a Dead Man", "My TARDIS", "The Impossible Astronaut", "1969" & "5:02pm". First performed at the DWSS (Melbourne).
Brianosaurus	1'20''	"Brian". New piece making its debut performance.
Abigail’s Song	4'40''	"Abigail's Song (Silence is all you Know)". First performed at the DWSS (Melbourne).
The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe	?'??''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "Armchair Waltz", "I Know"; "Ditched at Sea", "Madge's Theme" & "Friendship". First performed at the DWSS (Melbourne).

Interval (20 mins)

Act Two
Piece	Duration	Notes
Battle in the Skies	4'42''	"Victory of the Daleks" & "Battle in the Sky". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
The Majestic Tale of the Madman in a Box	4'20''	"The Majestic Tale (of a Madman in a Box)". First performed at the DWSS (Melbourne).
Liz, Lizards, Vampires and Vincent	8'25''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "The Beast Below", "The Silurians", "With Love, Vincent", "Signora Rosanna Calvierri" & "The Vampires of Venice". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
The Wedding of River Song	5'13''	"The Wedding of River Song". First performed at the DWSS (Melbourne).
This is Gallifrey / Vale Decem	6'31''	"This is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home" & "Vale Decem". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
Pandorica Suite	10'14''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "Who Else is Coming", "This is Where it Gets Complicated", "The Perfect Prison", "The Majestic Tale (of a Madman in a Box)", "The Same Sonic", "The Patient Centurion" & "I Am the Doctor". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
The Final Chapter of Amelia Pond	11'03''	Suite containing either all, or excerpts of, the following cues: "New York New York", "Together or Not at All (The Song of Amy and Rory)", "Goodbye Pond", "A Lonely Decision" & "Little Amy". New piece making its debut performance.
Song of Freedom	3'52''	Encore piece. "Songs of Captivity and Freedom" & "Song of Freedom". First performed at the 2010 Proms.
Doctor Who Theme	1'37''	Encore piece. "Doctor Who XI". First performed at the 2010 Proms.

Notes

• Tickets for the Symphonic Spectacular went on sale on 21 September 2012.
• There was a video message from Matt Smith.
• Initially the concert was scheduled for only four performances on 15-16 December, but its run was extended twice; a fifth and sixth performance was added on 7 October and a further seventh, eighth and ninth performance added on 24 November.

External links

• The Metropolitan Orchestra
• Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
• Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular