Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music lecturers Mark Gasser and Kim Kirkman have put together a big free concert at the Mackay Entertainment Centre, this Sunday from 4.30pm.
Kim Kirkman has a big cast for the free show

Kim Kirkman conducts the Mackay Choral Society and has arranged a choir, an orchestra, soloists and a children's chorus to present Carl Orff's classic opera Carmina Burana. 

"We have around the vicinity of 150 performers for the show," said Kim.

Extras have been brought in from Brisbane, Gympie, Townsville and Emerald to complete the orchestra and choir. 

Luke Venables, CQU Mackay's very own graduate and local IT business owner, will perform the role of tenor alongside Fiona Mariah, a soprano from Perth, and Peter Axford, who has sung with the Australian Opera on many occasions.

While the orchestra and singers are backstage warming up and calming the nerves, internationally acclaimed pianist Mark Gasser will take to the stage to perform Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto.

This work was ranked number two in the ABC Classic FM's top concerto competition and is, according to Kim Kirkman, a real treat for Mackay audiences to experience.

Mark Gasser last played the piece for the late Princess of Wales at St Martin in the Fields.

"It was her favourite piece of classical music" said Mark.

Mark Gasser is set to perform one of the most renowned piano concertos

"Like Carmina Burana, Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto has been used in countless movies mainly because it just has everything, light, dark, power, gentleness," said Mark.

Mark summarises the piece as "altogether, deeply moving".

 More Conservatorium news: Christmas Concert http://content.cqu.edu.au/UniNews/viewStory.do?story=4765 .