AUSTRALIAN BAROQUE - PERTH BASED ORCHESTRA
Australian Baroque is a national ensemble and early music initiative, formed at its core by WA-based artists. We are world-class players with a spirit of investigation and historical inspiration, bringing you stunning classical music programs, live concerts, and immersive projects. Some of our flagship series include Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight, Bach and Beer, Baroque Babies, Space Music, and Vivaldi in the Vines.
The ensemble formed in December 2018, have been Ensemble in Residence at the WA Academy of Performing Arts, recorded by ABC Classics, Tall Poppies and filmed by Master Performers. 2024 has been our busiest year yet with: 78 concerts, 12 weeks of regional WA touring from Broome to Esperance, countless free performance masterclasses in Perth and regionally for students of all ages and stages, and a 3-week cross arts residency at Shark Bay School. Our Perth-based weekly music education program is in its 3rd year, with over 40 pupils and our advanced program, Perth Summer Orchestra Camp is now in its 5th year!
Being part of the WA community is central to the aims of Australian Baroque. This is not just an orchestra for the concert hall. Our aim is to build significant and long-lasting ties with both regional and metropolitan communities, performing in galleries, schools, museums, Men’s Sheds, churches, cafes and town halls.
Our 2024 Patron is Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lancaster AO and our programming, regional touring and regional residency is supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
AUSTRALIAN BAROQUE PATRON
Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lancaster AO
PhD (Syd) HonDMus (Syd) FAHA FACE FRSA
Geoffrey Lancaster is among the world’s most acclaimed fortepianists. In a career spanning 40 years, he has profoundly influenced the development of the historically inspired performance practice movement. He has featured as soloist on modern and early keyboard with such orchestras as the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester; the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic; the Rotterdam Philharmonic; the Gürzenich Orchester Köln; Tafelmusik of Toronto; La Cetra Barockorchester Basel; Ensemble 415 of Geneva, Concerto Copenhagen, and with every major Australian orchestra.
Dr Lancaster studied fortepiano at the Royal Conservatorium in The Hague. He was the first Australian to win a major international keyboard competition, receiving First Prize in the 23rd Festival van Vlaanderen International Mozart Fortepiano Competition, Brugge. An inspiring teacher and public intellectual, he is the author of three scholarly monographs and undertakes regular residencies at significant European conservatoria. In 2011 Dr Lancaster delivered the inaugural Henry Wood Lecture Recital at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Dr Lancaster has held various professorial and emeritus appointments, including at the Royal College of Music in London, the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, and as Professor and
Head of Keyboard at a Group of 8 university for more than a decade. His many career honours and prizes include Gramophone and ARIA awards for some of his 56 published recordings, the Australia Council’s Australian Artists Creative Fellowship, the HC Coombs Creative Arts Fellowship, elected Fellowships of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, the Australian College of Educators and the Royal Society of Arts, and the Order of Australia. Geoffrey is also a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters. In 2006, he was Australian of the Year for the Australian Capital Territory. Since 2014 he has lived in Perth, Western Australia.
Helen Kruger violin
Helen Kruger - Artistic Director and Violin
I am a Perth violinist, returned from almost 20 years in the UK, studying at the Royal Academy of Music, London and working with leading early music ensembles and orchestras throughout the UK, Europe and Australia. I couldn’t be happier being back in Perth and I love the energy and excitement our players bring to our concerts.
THE TEAM:
Patron - Dr Geoffrey Lancaster AO
Helen Kruger - Artistic Director
Antony Brian - Director of Finance
Andy Skinner - Director of Philanthropy & Sponsorship
Brad Coleman - Marketing & Media
Georgina Harper - Logistics
Brian Kruger - Recording Editing & Filming
String Project Directors: Rebecca Hooper, Helen Kruger, Amelia Peachment & Josie Fountain
Flute: Andy Skinner
Violins: Helen Kruger, Jane Cameron, Rachael Aquilina, Ruth Klein Cook, Hannah Herriman, Julia Watson, Teresa Vinci
Violas: Christian Read, Alix Hamilton, Erica Ketterer
Cellos: Noeleen Wright, Josie Fountain, Krista Low
Double Basses: Jacqueline Dossor, Libby Browning
Bassoon: Joanne Littlely
Percussion: Tim White, Genevieve Wilkins
Harpsichord & Fortepiano: Dr Geoffrey Lancaster AO, James Huntingford, Stewart Smith