They call it the curse of the ninth.
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It was a superstition stating the belief the ninth symphony would be a composer’s last, devised after Beethoven and several others died after reaching the number, or before completing their 10th.
But this Sunday, visitors to the Orange Regional Conservatorium will have a chance to hear one of them.
Dvorak’s ninth symphony, titled From the New World, will be the centrepiece of Orange Symphony Orchestra’s second concert since it reformed.
After playing the first performance to a full house in November, orchestra manager David Shaw hoped for a repeat.
“There was no room in the auditorium at all,” he said.
From the New World is a mammoth 50-minute piece inspired by Dvorak’s time in America, featuring native American melodies and some unusual instruments.
“There’s a really significant cor anglais solo in the second movement, played by Sarah Moser,” Mr Shaw said.
The Colour City Chamber Orchestra will form the string section on Sunday.
Guest conductor Carlo Antonioli from Sydney will take the helm after most recently working with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, with works by Copland, Beethoven and Mussorgsky chosen to complement the Dvorak symphony.
Orange’s own composer Amy Stevens will also conduct the orchestra for the world premiere of her piece Sanctus Somnus.
The performance will be held from 2.30pm.
Tickets are available from the Orange Regional Conservatorium, costing $25 for adults and $10 for children younger than 12.