New York, Carnegie Hall, and a week we'll never forget
A look back at our trip to New York City for the world premiere of Harry Connick Jr.'s symphony Elaboratio — from the rehearsal room to the most famous stage in the world.
Orchestra Victoria travelled to New York for an unforgettable week at the iconic Carnegie Hall, performing alongside Harry Connick Jr. under the baton of conductor and OV artistic adviser Jessica Gethin. The concerts featured the world premiere of Babe: Elaboratio, a deeply personal orchestral work written by Connick Jr. in honour of his late mother. From the first rehearsal to the final bow, it was a proud moment for OV on the international stage.
Melbourne to Manhattan
After weeks of rehearsals at the Meat Market in North Melbourne, a cavernous, beautiful old space with loads of history and absolutely zero heating — the orchestra finally touched down in New York City. There's something surreal about stepping out of JFK and knowing that by the end of the week you'll be performing at Carnegie Hall. The city had other plans first though: luggage, jet lag, and the best slice of pizza in the western hemisphere.
First look inside Carnegie Hall
Walking into Carnegie Hall for the first time is something you don't forget. The acoustics hit you before the history does, and then the history hits you hard. For our musicians, setting up on the Ronald O. Perelman Stage inside the Isaac Stern Auditorium was a genuine pinch-yourself moment. For conductor Jessica Gethin, it marked her debut at one of the world's most coveted venues, joining a very small group of Australian women who have conducted there.
And for Harry? He'd never set foot in the building before in his life. By choice. He'd been waiting for exactly this week.
Between takes, Harry and Jess worked in the quiet, efficient shorthand that develops only after months of deep collaboration, a few words, a nod, a pencil mark in the score. The musical relationship between them, the musicians, and this symphony had been building since the recording sessions in Melbourne in 2025. Carnegie Hall was just where it came alive.
New York between the notes
A week in New York is never just about the work. In between rehearsals the orchestra found time to actually be in the city — the kind of moments you only get when you travel together as an ensemble. Central Park, the High Line, late-night diners, and the unmistakable energy of Midtown with Carnegie Hall just a few blocks away.
Concert night — the world premiere of Elaboratio
May 22, 2026 was Anita Connick's 100th birthday. It was the night her son had been working toward for forty-five years. When Harry walked out onto the stage, he covered his eyes with both hands. The audience rose immediately. Nobody needed to be told this was a special evening.
The symphony Connick Jr. wrote for his mother is a deeply coded, profoundly personal work — filled with hidden references to her birth year, her nickname, her love of Beethoven, the stories he carried from his childhood. Orchestra Victoria brought it to life on the most famous concert stage in the world, with Jessica Gethin at the podium for her Carnegie Hall debut.
Looking Back
A trip like this doesn't happen by accident. It's the result of years of artistic work, a deep and genuine collaboration, and musicians who gave everything to a piece of music that deserved it. We're so proud of every single person in that orchestra, and of Jess for the extraordinary way she held this story and brought it to the stage.
