Coffee Cantata & Canary Cantata
Australian Baroque and West Australian Opera present
Thursday, July 23rd, 7:30pm His Majesty's Theatre
Two short comic operas: the award‑winning London production of Bach’s brilliantly caffeinated Coffee Cantata & Telemann’s Canary Cantata, a whimsical lament for a beloved canary.
This multi‑award‑winning London production of The Coffee Cantata reimagines Bach’s ode to caffeine as witty, stylish music theatre performed in English — a playful clash of virtue, vice, and the irresistible pull of the daily cup. Featuring West Australian Principal Artist Prudence Sanders, stunning costumes and wigs adorned with hand‑beaded coffee cups crafted by Jane Corbett, milliner to Queen Elizabeth II and the Princess of Wales.
The program also includes Telemann’s Canary Cantata, starring West Australian Opera principal Brigitte Heuser — a theatrical drawn miniature in which private grief gives way to operatic indignation, and suspicion falls squarely on the household cat.
AUSTRALIAN BAROQUE CELEBRATES THE RHYTHMS OF COUNTRY WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE SIX NOONGAR SEASONS - A NEW CYCLE OF SIX CONCERTOS
Australian Baroque presents two major Western Australian performances in 2026, culminating in the world premiere of The Six Noongar Seasons, a powerful new cycle of six concertos, inspired by Antonio Vivaldi's beloved Four Seasons and deeply connected to the landscapes, stories and seasonal cycles of Noongar Country.
Composed by acclaimed Noongar violist and composer Aaron Wyatt, with original poetry by Gina Williams AM, The Six Noongar Seasonsoffers a distinctly Western Australian response to one of classical music's most recognisable works.
Drawing inspiration from Vivaldi's Four Seasons, the new composition, written for Director and violinist Helen Kruger, traces the six Noongar seasons of the south-west, reflecting the changing rhythms of Country through music and spoken word. Audiences will journey through cycles of heat and rain, abundance and renewal, joy and reflection, experiencing the landscape through a uniquely Noongar perspective.
The work explores the deep connection between people, place and seasonality, capturing moments both dramatic and intimate:
"Bunuru comes, bringing an angry stare. We yearn for shade, well away from the blazing sun, holding rain as memory."
Australian Baroque Artistic Director Helen Kruger said the work represents a significant artistic milestone for the ensemble.
"The Six Noongar Seasons creates a dialogue between one of the most celebrated works of the European classical tradition and the world's oldest continuing living culture. It is a work that speaks profoundly to Western Australia and offers audiences a fresh way of listening to both music and Country."
Commissioned by Australian Baroque, the project reflects Australian Baroque's commitment to creating meaningful artistic experiences that connect deeply with Western Australian communities.
Albany Performance
Thursday 9 July, 7.00pm
Albany Entertainment Centre
In collaboration with Albany Chamber Orchestra
Perth Performance *tickets on sale soon
Thursday 1 October, 7.30pm
His Majesty's Theatre
Presented in collaboration with West Australian Opera and Gina Williams AM
Australian Baroque is a Perth-based, National ensemble with a never-ending spirit of enquiry. They perform on instruments from the baroque period, and have been recorded by ABC Classic, Tall Poppies, and Master Performers.
Touring the state and performing over 100 concerts a year, Australian Baroque also delivers performances in aged care homes, schools, libraries and nurseries.
Dedicated to both community outreach and music education, the Australian Baroque Perth String Project is a thriving weekly string program in Perth now in it’s 4th year.
Australian Baroque specialises in collaboration and the development of unique programs such as Space Music, Bach and Beer and The Coffee Cantata.Australian Baroque is a Perth-based, National ensemble with a never-ending spirit of enquiry. They perform on instruments from the baroque period, and have been recorded by ABC Classic, Tall Poppies, and Master Performers. Touring the state and performing over 100 concerts a year, Australian Baroque also delivers performances in aged care homes, schools, libraries and nurseries. Dedicated to both community outreach and music education, the Australian Baroque Perth String Project is a thriving weekly string program in Perth now in it’s 4th year.
Australian Baroque specialises in collaboration and the development of unique programs such as Space Music, Bach and Beer and The Coffee Cantata.
SUPPORTED BY: Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
Performance Partners: West Australian Opera, UWA Choral Society, Giovanni Consort, Aquinas College Schola Choir, Theatre 180, National Digital Concert Hall
Venue Partners: Arts Narrogin, John Curtin Gallery, Balingup Arts and Cultural Hub, WA Museum Boola Bardip, Government House Ballroom Lost Eden Creative, Dwellingup, Faber Vineyard, Cygnet Theatre, Como, The Dam, Denmark, Brugan, Wokalup Tavern
Media Partners: Master Performers, Artshoot Media, National Digital Concert Hall, Audio Technik
Education Partners: Aquinas College, Perth Summer Orchestra Camp, Guildford Grammar, WAAPA ECU, Shark Bay School
Touring Partners: Arts Narrogin, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Circuit West
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We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together.