With Victoria’s double dose vaccination rate racing past 80% of the 16-plus population, Melbourne’s performing arts organisations are returning to the stage.

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is leading the charge with a series of concerts at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl throughout December.

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performing at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

The centrepiece of the outdoor mini-season is the star-studded Performance of a Lifetime: LIVE event, performed on two nights (13 & 14 December) and hosted by Double J radio presenter Zan Rowe. It features the MSO conducted by Benjamin Northey, performing alongside the stars of the Performance of a Lifetime vaccination campaign video including Rhonda Burchmore, Deborah Cheetham, Virginia Gay, Ali McGregor and Meow Meow, plus some of the biggest names in Melbourne theatre including Lucy Durack, Josh Piterman (The Phantom of the Opera), Alinta Chidzey and Des Flanagan (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), Jemma Rix and Courtney Monsma (Frozen The Musical) and Gillian Cosgriff (Harry Potter & the Cursed Child).

The concerts will also feature contemporary music stars including Tim Rogers (You Am I), Kate Ceberano, Kylie Auldist and Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos),...