Emmalena Huning with WASO - 2020
(By Rebecca Blackburne)
As spring continues to blossom many of WA’s much-loved arts and music groups begin to re-emerge from a long and unprecedented winter with COVID-19. Along with MetSO, many of these groups and soloists have had to re-shuffle their events planned for this year and remain flexible in such uncertain times.
However, as we edge our way out of winter and ease into less restrictions across the state we are welcomed not only with the beauty of the WA’s wildflowers, but the sensational sounds of local star Emmalena Huning and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the mighty WASO (now back live in the Perth Concert Hall).
The MetSO was one of the first orchestras to welcome the spring, with our Father’s Day Beethoven 250th Concert; this was featured by The West Australian’s David Cusworth in his piece on the 1st of September titled - “WA arts awakes from lockdown to shine a light on our world”. A big thank you to David, not only for his beautiful words, but also for stepping in at short notice with his superlative tones on trumpet.
19-year-old Emmalena Huning has been learning the violin since she was 4 years old and attained both Associate and Licentiate Diplomas of the Australian Music Examination Board by the age of 15. She is a true violin virtuoso and has continued her flawless track record of local and international awards, renowned music contests and featured performances with prestigious orchestras. She is currently studying under Professor Gyorgy Pauk at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she was awarded a full scholarship early last year.
At the moment Emmalena is safe and sound in her home town Perth where she has been carrying on with her studies online till it is safe for her to return back to the Royal Academy in London.
Having previously performed with MetSO, Emmalena had an array of performances set for this year including performances with both MetSO and WASO on a return visit to Perth from London. However, despite these plans having to be put on hold, we are all very grateful to be performing once again, and to see Western Australia’s premier orchestra open their doors once more - one of the great benefits of living in one of the most isolated cities in the world.
WASO have made their joyful return to the Perth Concert Hall this weekend with Carmina Burana, and in the coming week they are set to perform another wonderful schedule of works from Mendelssohn, Mozart and Dvořák.
Emmalena will be giving four performances with WASO of :
Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 – “The Turkish”,
Conducted by Western Australia’s own Jessica Gethin,
October 8th-11th
The MetSO, as one of Emmalena’s biggest fans, wishes her all the best, and knows that she will light up the stage in her home state, as she did in Taranaki (and as she has done on the MetSO stage from the age of 15).
She is truly a great talent on the rise – “Go Emmalena!”.