HAYDN, MOZART & PURCELL
In the Ballroom
An evening of symphonies reimagined
Thursday, August 27, 7:30pm
The Ballroom, Government House.
An evening of chamber music at its finest — where great symphonic works meet the intimacy of the parlour, under the direction of one of Australia’s most distinguished period-performance specialists- Australian Baroque patron Dr Geoffrey Lancaster AO.
Step into the elegance of The Ballroom at Government House for an intimate evening where Haydn’s most beloved symphonies are reborn in exquisite chamber arrangements. Hear the wit and drama of the “Surprise” Symphony and the bold theatrical flourishes of the “Military” Symphony as you’ve never heard them before — reimagined with fresh clarity and intimacy, revealing the intricate musical conversations at their heart.
The program opens with the electric energy of Mozart’s Don Giovanni Overture, before Haydn’s Symphony takes centre stage in a chamber setting that brings you closer than ever to the composer’s genius. After interval, Purcell’s contemplative Fantasia offers a moment of Baroque reflection, leading into the rousing “Military” Symphony — complete with its famous percussion effects, reimagined for this intimate ensemble.
AUSTRALIAN BAROQUE CELEBRATES THE RHYTHMS OF COUNTRY WITH THE PERTH PREMIERE OF THE SIX NOONGAR SEASONS - A NEW CYCLE OF SIX CONCERTOS
Australian Baroque presents the Perth 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.
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
TICKETS ON SALE SOON…
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.