In just four months the Melbourne Digital Concert Hall platform, streamed from Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre, has raised half a million dollars as professional musicians have brought world class music, through ticketed concerts for a modest price, into the homes of music lovers. Last night over 600 patrons, many from regional areas, celebrated the 120th MDCH concert, with this significant milestone being acknowledged in pre-concert, pre-recorded welcoming words from Martin Foley, MP, State Minister for Creative Industries. He warmly congratulated Co-Directors Adele Schonhardt and Chris Howlett for their outstanding success with this artistic venture, and acknowledged the importance in continuing to connect musicians and paying audiences.

Melbourne Digital Concert Hall MCOMusicians from the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Photo courtesy of Melbourne Digital Concert Hall

Celebrating its seventh concert on this platform, Members of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra delighted us with music to blow all our cares away – commencing with Mozart’s Divertimento in D K136 (‘Salzburg’ Symphony No 1), a light, cheerful and uplifting piece, significant for demonstrating the polished writing of a 16-year-old genius with its aristocratic and refined structure. The musicians may have felt a little self-conscious performing with obligatory face masks,...