A Celebration of Burt Bacharach

In celebration of one of the greatest songwriters of all time, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Benjamin Northey will perform What the World Needs Now: A Celebration of Burt Bacharach for two shows only at Hamer Hall.

Burt Bacharach (1928-2023), along with long-time collaborator Hal David, provided the soundtrack to generations with more than 1000 artists having recorded his songs. From 1961-1972 most of the duo's songs were written for the inimitable Dionne Warwick, with artists including Perry Como, Gene Pitney, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield and Tom Jones also recording hits written by Bacharach and David.

Directed by Shaun Rennie, What the World Needs Now: A Celebration of Burt Bacharach unites the MSO with a stellar cast of Australian voices. Musical theatre stars David Campbell and Caroline O'Connor, award-winning jazz vocalist Emma Pask and Zimbabwean-born First Lady of Soul and R&B Thndo celebrate the unparalleled legacy of a music icon.

Multi-talented crooner David Campbell says he is looking forward to celebrating such a musical icon. "Burt Bacharach is one of the great songwriters of the past hundred years - I grew up on his music, listening to great artists across decades sing his many, many hits. What the world needs now is more music and song and I cannot wait to sing some of my favourites from this legendary musician."

During his illustrious and prolific career, the composer, songwriter, record producer and pianist received six Grammy Awards, three Academy Awards and one Emmy. Bacharach's chart success included 73 US and 52 UK top 40 hits over four decades.

What the World Needs Now: A Celebration of Burt Bacharach will feature some of his most memorable songs including What the World Needs Now, Alfie, Walk on By, I Say a Little Prayer, Close to You, One Less Bell to Answer, Any Day Now, That's What Friends Are For and more.  

What the World Needs Now: A Celebration of Burt Bacharach
Presented by Ryman Healthcare

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Benjamin Northey
Director Shaun Rennie
Executive Producer Mark Sutcliffe

Event details: 
Dates:   Saturday 22 June, 1pm and 7.30pm
Venue:  Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Tickets:  mso.com.au

What the World Needs Now is presented in association with Make My Mark