Disco Wonderland
Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra
For one night only, the Hordern Pavilion will become a disco wonderland, with the full power of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing live with stars of the stage and screen Paulini, Amy Lehpamer (& Juliet), Nick Afoa (The Lion King) and Nathaniel Willemse (The X Factor) – all led by conductor Vanessa Scammell.
Experience electrifying music from artists such as Michael Jackson, Bee Gees and Earth, Wind & Fire through to Sister Sledge’s We Are Family and Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive, plus many more dancefloor classics.
There are no rules here, just disco. Welcome to the party.
Producer and director Zac Tyler said,“Disco Wonderland is an energy packed show that takes us back to the glamorous, gritty and sexy dancefloor of the 70’s with some of the greatest disco tracks ever written performed live, exactly how they were meant to be heard…with a full orchestra! The music is infectious and that disco beat will lure anyone to get up and dance. Get ready for a fun night out!”
About the Music
Studio 54 opened in 1977 and quickly became the most popular nightclub in New York City, frequented by an illustrious celebrity guest list, including Andy Warhol, Liza Minelli, Michael Jackson, John Travolta, Brooke Shields and Bianca Jagger, who famously rode a white horse into the venue. The club was synonymous with its legendary musical performances, and with disco music being white hot, most of the guests were musicians from the scene. Billy Ocean, the Village People, Donna Summer and many more would go on to grace the stage at Studio 54.
In the early 1970’s, disco had not only caught the attention of audiences, it had also begun to attract several well-known composers and musicians with jazz and classical music backgrounds who were looking to experiment with this new style of music that was taking the world by storm.
By the mid-70’s, disco’s explosive rhythm sections, vocal harmonies, guitars, horns and elaborate string sections generated the expansive sound that live audiences loved. The orchestra was pivotal to providing the impact that disco music needed, whilst the music was played by a DJ, the tracks were recorded in full symphonic sound.
Disco was a worldwide phenomenon that spawned some iconic tracks, dance moves, films and major performers and continues to influence many of the biggest dance artists today. Let Sydney Symphony Orchestra and superstars of the stage transport you back to the heady and hypnotic atmosphere of Studio 54, for one night only at The Hordern.
Artist listings:
Vanessa Scammell, conductor
Paulini, lead vocalist
Amy Lehpamer, lead vocalist
Nick Afoa, lead vocalist
Nathaniel Willemse, lead vocalist
Disco Wonderland Band:
David Goodwin, keys/piano
Jack Strempel, moog
Alexander Flood, drums
Zac Tyler, producer and director
Produced in association with Amplified House
