A highly successful tour of European festivals is a great boost to an orchestra. Not just to morale but to performance standards. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has enjoyed those benefits this year and they will enhance the performances next year under Artistic Director Sir Andrew Davis. The 2015 season is both attractive and well-judged to showcase the orchestra, chief conductor and soloists. The public are given good options; 14 core subscription series, two children’s packages, student packages and a ‘choose-your-own’ series plan. It couldn’t be easier or cheaper.

The orchestra’s artistic planners clearly have the public in mind with appealing programs which include an historic Beethoven blockbuster, two operatic concerts with the gorgeous Renée Fleming, and Bryn Terfel in Berlioz’ Damnation of Faust. The ‘blockbuster’ is music history being recreated when Principal Guest Conductor Diego Matheuz leads the 1808 Vienna Concert of Beethoven’s 5th & 6th Symphonies and 4th Piano Concerto. Nor is Mozart neglected throughout the season; in August Andrew Davis conducts Mozart’s 17th Piano Concerto alongside Messiaen and Brahms 3rd. Indeed, there is an overall impression through all the programs of serious endeavour linked to an intention to entertain.

All that needs to happen is for Melbourne to live up to its aspiration to be a cultural capital and attend in sufficient numbers.