Concert Diary
Upcoming Events from Member Ensembles
Earth Music // Coruscalia Collective
Join Adelaide-based flute ensemble Coruscalia Collective as they explore the complex relationships between ecosystems, climate and humanity. Become immersed in soundscapes and melodies that will transport you from hazy eucalypt forests to the chaos of forest fires and dust storms, and the stillness of the desert at dawn. This program of contemporary art music includes works by Australian composers Fran Griffin, Diana Blom and Christopher Sainsbury.
Pipe Organ Recitals // St Francis Xavier's Cathedral
Once again St Francis Xavier's Cathedral is opening its doors for our popular lunch time organ recitals.
Struck and Strung
A mix of well known classical music, some Latin vibes, and a Belgian touch. Original arrangements for an unusual combination of instruments that will bring a smile on your face, a tear in your eye and a heartwarming feeling!
Sergej Krylov with Konstantin Shamray // Adelaide Festival
Pairing effortless lyricism with intense virtuosity, Italian-based violinist Sergej Krylov captures the brilliance of his instrument’s extremities. Greatly influenced by cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, with whom he regularly shared a stage as a young violinist, Krylov’s nuanced artistry has seen him perform with many of the world’s great orchestras, as well as holding the role of Music Director of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra.
Sergej Krylov with Konstantin Shamray // UKARIA
Pairing effortless lyricism with intense virtuosity, Italian-based violinist Sergej Krylov carries the influence of the great cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, with whom he regularly shared a stage as a young violinist. Krylov has held the multi-faceted role of Music Director of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra since 2008, while performing as soloist with orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, Orchestre National de Lyon and the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin…
Stories in Song // Nathan May with Adelaide Baroque and Julian Ferraretto
A powerful evening of story and song with singer-songwriter Nathan May, a chamber music concert that blurs the lines between contemporary country, folk and Baroque traditions. In a collaboration with genre-defying violinist, Julian Ferraretto and Adelaide Baroque string quartet. Directed by Chris Drummond. Created with the support of Create SA, Chamber Music Adelaide and Nexus Arts. Presented by Chamber Music Adelaide.
Twilight to Dawn // Elder Lunchtimes
Richard Mills’s recent Sonata for Cello and Piano introduces a contemporary Australian voice, exploring the expressive potential of the duo with inventive textures. Written during a period of separation from his wife, Shostakovich’s Cello Sonata contains his trademark rhythmic drive, wit and intensity, creating a dynamic dialogue between cello and piano.
Chindamo - "Trio Fantastique" (2021) & more
Programme:
Henri Brod - Trio for oboe, bassoon & piano, Op. 5
Ben Hoadley - Trio
Joe Chindamo - "Trio Fantastique" (2021)
Where Tradition Swings // Silk Strings & Friends
Adelaide’s own Silk Strings Ensemble (Felix Wang, David Dai and Lester Wong) returns with Turkish vocal virtuoso Dr. Aysegul Altiok, drummer Satomi Ohnishi, pianist Yundi Yuan and bassist Tim Matthew. Together they create rich arrangements, surprising twists and a heartfelt tribute to cultural diversity and connection.
Britten - "Temporal Variations", Previn - Trio & more
Programme:
Henri Brod - Trio No. 1, Op. 5
Benjamin Britten - Temporal Variations (oboe and piano)
Joe Chindamo - Trio Fantastique (2021)
- Interval -
William Hurlstone - Sonata for bassoon and piano
Andre Previn - Trio for oboe, bassoon & piano
Australian Guitar Quartet // UKARIA
Slava, Leonard, Vladimir and Andrew are renowned nationally and internationally as leading soloists and passionate advocates for their distinctive instrument. They are also recognised for their formidable and diverse repertoire. For UKARIA, they present a beautifully balanced program showcasing intimate delicacy and extravagant flair. The concert opens with Bach’s sixth Brandenburg Concerto, here arranged by James Smith for guitar quartet…
Lyra // Aurora Vocal Ensemble
Aurora Vocal Ensemble celebrates our Southern Skies and the land below in 'Lyra' — a shimmering program of music inspired by flight, light, and belonging. Named for the constellation that sings across the heavens, Lyra invites listeners to look upward and outward, to find beauty in the vastness above and wonder beneath our feet.
Elegance and Energy // Elder Lunchtimes
Elegance, virtuosity, humour and youthful energy will be on display in Mozart’s Divertimento in D major, K. 136. Sparkling with charm and graceful wit, it is a perfect example of his early mastery in light-hearted chamber writing. Alessandro Marcello’s Oboe Concerto in D minor follows, performed by Jade Elsdon. First attributed to Vivaldi, and then his brother, Marcello’s composition is a Baroque pearl renowned for its expressive lyricism and ornamentation. Rounding out the program is Carl Nielsen’s Little Suite for Strings, Op. 1, a youthful yet inventive work, with lively themes and textures that hint at the bold voice he would later develop.
Cédric Tiberghien // UKARIA
As a regular recitalist at London’s Wigmore Hall and as a soloist with the London and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras, French pianist Cédric Tiberghien is noted for his sensitive, versatile musicality as well as his innovative and engaging programming…
Adelaide Baroque // EXPLORATIONS SERIES 1 Leçons de Ténèbres: An Easter Reflection
François Couperin’s three surviving tenebrae lessons for Holy Week are widely regarded as the pinnacle of French Baroque vocal writing. Two solo movements and one sublime duet set the Lamentations of Jeremiah with stunning ornamentation. In the lead up to Easter, don’t miss this intensely beautiful and atmospheric program highlighting the sweet soaring voices of sopranos Kate Macfarlane and Emma Horwood with the grace and delicacy of French harpsichord music specialist Anne Whelan.
Pergolesi - Stabat Mater, Buxtehude - Cantate Domino
Anna Pope, soprano
Emma Horwood, soprano
Kenneth Pope, bass
New Blood // Elder Lunchtimes
Join us in welcoming newest jazz faculty members Timothy Clarkson (saxophone) and Alex Taylor (trombone) for an afternoon of chamber jazz featuring special guests from Adelaide's vibrant jazz scene.
Nordic Lights // ASO
Journey from Australian shores to the elemental landscapes of Scandinavia. Strings swell in Barber’s Adagio for Strings. In Richter’s On the Nature of Daylight, a repeating melody rises with quiet resignation – cinematic and deeply tender. Sibelius and Thorvaldsdóttir evoke endless skies, frozen air, and distant warmth – a still, slow-moving northern landscape conjured in the quiet language of strings.
Nordic Lights // ASO
Journey from Australian shores to the elemental landscapes of Scandinavia. Strings swell in Barber’s Adagio for Strings. In Richter’s On the Nature of Daylight, a repeating melody rises with quiet resignation – cinematic and deeply tender. Sibelius and Thorvaldsdóttir evoke endless skies, frozen air, and distant warmth – a still, slow-moving northern landscape conjured in the quiet language of strings.
Sylvan Glades & Crystal Fountains // Austral Harmony
BACH & HANDEL: Pastoral love from the myth of Acis & Galatea, and outdoor wedding music celebrating the delights of blossoming love.
Austral Harmony
Elinor Warwick - baroque violin
Jane Downer - baroque oboe
Kim Worley - baroque ‘cello
Passion & Pleasure // State Opera of South Australia
Explosive romance and fiery dance. A young Richard Strauss falls hopelessly in love in his romantic Violin Sonata; paired with the invigorating music of Spain from Sarasate and de Falla. Featuring the virtuosic playing Kate Suthers, Concertmaster of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra; guest tenor Jihoon Son, star of State Opera’s La Cenerentola; and one of Australia’s most exciting young pianists, Melbourne-based Laurence Matheson.
Sacred and Secular // Elder Lunchtimes
In this special solo organ recital, Joshua van Konkelenberg (a lecturer at the Elder Conservatorium, and one of its most outstanding graduates) performs four works that showcase the majesty and grandeur of our resident instrument…
Light of Angels // Austral Harmony
LIGHT of ANGELS: Celebrating 300 years of Johann Sebastian Bach with TRIO settings from his Leipzig Cantatas of 1726 full of lyrical emotion in their depiction of celestial imagery.
Austral Harmony
Elinor Warwick - baroque violin
Jane Downer - baroque oboe, oboe d’amore & oboe da caccia
Thomas Marlin - baroque ‘cello
Michelle Nicolle and Paul Grabowsky // UKARIA
Michelle Nicolle and Paul Grabowsky have been aware of each other for a very long time. As Michelle says, she ‘grew up’ watching Paul on television and was aware of his work with the great Vince Jones and others; somewhat later Paul became aware of Michelle’s trajectory toward becoming, in his words, ‘one of the greatest jazz singers Australia has produced’…
Ancient to Modern // Elder Lunchtimes
A fascinating aspect of music is its capacity to transport us through time. The luminous, ethereal sound world of Hildegard von Bingen is brought to life by her Ave generosa, arranged here by Donald Nicolson. Selections from J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations follow, featuring the immortal aria transformed across a vast universe of variation. Contemporary voices then take the stage, with Jakub Jankowski’s The Orchid and the Wasp and Missy Mazzoli’s Lies You Can Believe In – works combining lyricism with inventive atmospheres. The program concludes with a selection of folk tunes from Bulgaria and Scandinavia.
David Elton and Friends // UKARIA
David Elton is no stranger to either Australian or international audiences. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Principal Trumpet, virtuosic soloist and esteemed chamber musician brings an engaging program that highlights the range and versatility of his instrument. David is joined in his explorations by three colleagues, each renowned musicians in their own right: SSO Concertmaster Andrew Haveron, SSO Associate Principal Cello Simon Cobcroft and concert pianist and composer Stefan Cassomenos…
For the End of Time // Elder Lunchtimes
Captured and imprisoned by the German Army in a prisoner-of-war camp, Messiaen wrote Quartet for the End of Time using paper and a pencil given by a sympathetic guard. The work is a series of eight movements relating to a Biblical passage from Revelation, depicting the Angel of the Apocalypse. Though one might interpret the work as owing to his own experiences as a prisoner, Messiaen intended it to be an acknowledgement of the end of past and future, and the beginning of eternity.
Janáček - "In the Mists" & Sibelius - 6 Impromptus // Ida Pelliccioli
Ida Pelliccioli, piano
Programme:
Sibelius - 6 Impromptus, Op. 5
Janáček - "In the Mists"
Leonkoro Quartet // UKARIA
The Berlin-based Leonkoro Quartet has been making waves on the international chamber music scene since triumphing at the 2022 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition. Now partnering exclusively with the Alpha Classics recording label, the Quartet has a string of critically-acclaimed albums and performs regularly at venues such as the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Leipzig Gewandhaus and NYC’s Carnegie Hall. On their first Australian tour, their recital programs reflect their interpretative range and their ‘profound sensitivity’…
Leonkoro Quartet: Opus 131 // UKARIA
In their second offering for UKARIA, the Leonkoro Quartet presents a unique selection of Austro-German voices old and new…
The Music of Hoagy Carmichael // Elder Lunchtimes
The Jazz Honours Ensemble performs the music of Hoagy Carmichael, the legendary composer and pianist behind some of the Great American Songbook's most enduring standards – including Georgia on My Mind, The Nearness of You, Skylark, and Stardust.
Poulenc - Trio, Elgar - "Romance" & more
Celia Craig, oboe
Mark Gaydon, bassoon
Michael Ierace, piano
Programme:
Francaix - Trio
Elgar - "Romance" (bassoon & piano)
Cawrse Trio (World Premiere)
~Interval~
Poulenc - Trio
Hyde - "Nightfall and Merrymaking"
Odermatt - "Le Bruissement du vent"
Beethoven's Ghost // Musica Viva Australia
Australian pianist and storyteller Aura Go has worked with Finnish/Australian-based cellist Timo-Veikko (Tipi) Valve for many years, performing nationally and internationally as a duo. She’s also toured extensively with virtuoso Australian violinist Kristian Winther…
Bobby Singh and Friends // UKARIA
ARIA Award-winning tabla player Bobby Singh returns to UKARIA for a collaboration that spans cultures, generations and borders. Featuring the compositions of tabla maestro Aneesh Pradhan, the music revolves around the nucleus of Bobby Singh – himself a student of Aneesh. Bridging Indian classical tradition, jazz and blues, the presence of Tjupurru’s didgeridoo grounds this collaboration in the roots of this land, with Bobby as the musical sutradhaar – the narrator who connects all the threads in this story…
Interwoven // ASQ
A stunning array of musical threads that intersect in a program of vivid contrasts.
Contemporary Winds // Elder Lunchtimes
Join the Elder Conservatorium Wind Orchestra for three contemporary works that explore texture, rhythm, and inventive musical landscapes…
Interwoven // ASQ
A stunning array of musical threads that intersect in a program of vivid contrasts.
Eroica // Elder Lunchtimes
A symphony so monumental it ushered in a new period of composition, Beethoven’s Eroica expanded the possibilities of the symphonic form…
Adelaide Baroque // House Concerts: Mr Purcell and Mr Playford
Following on from our sold-out ‘Alehouse Sessions’, join us for a deeper dive into the music of old London Town from two of its most colourful characters – from fantasias to folk tunes, music for the spirit and music for merry-making!
Tchaikovsky - "Children’s Album", Boulanger & more // James Huon George
Programme:
Tchaikovsky - "Children’s Album", Op. 39
Jankowski - "Time Sphere"
Boulanger - "Trois Morceaux pour piano"
Alexander Gavrylyuk // UKARIA
Ukrainian-Australian pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk returns with a characterful and dramatic program that showcases his ‘revelatory’ and ‘electrifying’ artistry. Each half opens with a distinctive evocation of childhood: Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood) offers an adult’s perspective, in a series of reminiscences of childhood experience. By contrast, Tchaikovsky’s Children’s Album – which begins the second half – is a twenty-four-part cycle written specifically for children…
Versailles to Vienna // Elder Lunchtimes
From the grandeur of ceremonial fanfares to the hushed reverence of sacred reflection, these works chart a journey through time, colour, and sound featuring brass and organ…
Radical Son: Bilambiyal // UKARIA
Radical Son is the creative moniker of David Leha, an artist from the Kamilaroi nation of Australia and the South Pacific nation of Tonga. His voice carries the compelling story of his turbulent past, restoration through culture and ever-deepening connection to Country, which has been captured in two critically-acclaimed albums: Cause ‘N Affect (2014) and Bilambiyal (2024)….
Spring and Remembrance // Elder Lunchtimes
Deeply contrasting with its partner work D'un soir triste, D'un matin de printemps is a brief, sweet and playful work, a fleeting moment of happiness that asks only to be remembered. It is rather appropriate, then, that Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50, In Memory of a Great Artist, follows. Initially hesitant about the trio medium, Tchaikovsky wrote the work after the death of his close friend and pianist Nikolai Rubinstein, ultimately creating a deeply personal work that combines heartfelt remembrance with rich chamber textures.
Lucas Debargue // UKARIA
The charismatic French pianist and composer Lucas Debargue makes his UKARIA debut. Since his sensational appearance at the 2015 Tchaikovsky competition, where he was awarded the prestigious Moscow Critics Award, Debargue has forged an international career as a virtuosic soloist and sought-after chamber musician. To regular performances as a soloist in Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, he adds chamber music collaborations with artists including Janine Jansen, Gidon Kremer and Renaud Capuçon. As a Sony Classical recording artist, Lucas Debargue has released five solo albums, with a sixth to appear in early 2026…
The Music of Gao Ping // Elder Lunchtimes
Gao Ping’s music combines his Chinese heritage with his musical education in the United States, bridging tradition and innovation, and blending lyricism, colour, and subtle wit…
Maximilian Hornung // UKARIA
German cellist Maximilian Hornung presents a program uniquely suited to our intimate space. Hornung’s sophisticated musicality and virtuosity have enabled him to forge a unique career path. Following his 2007 win of Germany’s prestigious ARD competition (with his Tecchler Piano Trio), Hornung served for four years as principal cellist of Munich’s hallowed Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, before leaving the post to devote himself to solo and chamber music repertoire. A former protégé of Anne-Sophie Mutter, Hornung appears regularly with orchestras such as the Berlin and London Philharmonics, and counts Vilde Frang, Daniil Trifonov and Mutter among his chamber music partners…
Adelaide Baroque // Orchestral Series 1: Bach And Handel By The Waters Of Babylon
A program of great masterworks, we open with Bach’s uplifting 1st Orchestral Suite, leading into Handel’s wonderful Ode for the birthday of Queen Anne of England. From 1713, it is subtitled ‘Ode for the Peace’ in reference to the Treaty of Utrecht which the monarch was about to sign, marking the end of the War of the Spanish Succession.
Michel Richard Delalande, a French Baroque composer and organist in the service of King Louis XIV is known best for his masterful grand motets and Super Flumina Babylonis is one of the most sublime (with one of our choristers being a direct descendent of the composer!).
Vitality // ASO
From hushed lyricism to fiery folk rhythms, this concert celebrates the incredible versatility of the ASO’s string players. Joseph Bologne’s Violin Concerto No.9 is a joyful window into the bright and energising performance styles of 18th-century France. Dvořák’s Nocturne offers a moment of tenderness and quiet melancholy before Bartók’s Divertimento dances between rustic spirit and shadowy reflection.
She Speaks // Elder Lunchtimes
Presented in partnership with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO), She Speaks returns in 2026 to spotlight the voices of women composers…
SHE SPEAKS, CONCERT 1 // ASO
WOMEN COMPOSERS, SPANNING CONTINENTS AND GENERATIONS, MEET IN A WEEKEND OF MUSICAL STORYTELLING.
James Ehnes with Orion Weiss // UKARIA
Superstar Canadian violinist James Ehnes joins forces with his longtime duo partner, the celebrated American pianist Orion Weiss, to present a recital of duo repertoire. Ehnes is one of the great violinists on the global stage: a fixture as concerto soloist with orchestras like the New York and London Philharmonics and the Boston Symphony, and recitalist at Carnegie Hall, Verbier Festival and other venues across Europe, Ehnes is a two-time GRAMMY Award-winner with an extensive discography. Weiss is one of the most sought-after concert pianists in the US: a regular soloist with LA and New York Philharmonics, he is renowned for his 'powerful technique and exceptional insight’. For their recital at UKARIA, Ehnes and Weiss offer a rare opportunity for Australian audiences to experience two star soloists in an exceptionally intimate setting…
Name: Doric String Quartet & Lloyd Van't Hoff // Musica Viva Australia
Musica Viva Australia is excited to present the London-based Doric String Quartet performing Thomas Ades with the brilliance of Australian clarinettist and FutureMaker Lloyd Van't Hoff…
The Gesualdo Six // UKARIA
The Gesualdo Six is an award-winning and critically-acclaimed vocal ensemble made up of some of the UK’s most esteemed consort singers. The group, who are lauded for their ‘imaginative programming and impeccable blend’, has toured around the world and records exclusively for Hyperion Records (their tenth album was released in August 2025). Following their residency at the 2023 A Cappella Academy, The Gesualdo Six returns to UKARIA with a program that traces the evolution of the vocal consort tradition…
Adelaide Baroque // House Concerts: Sunday afternoon at the Schönbrunn Palace
In 18th-century Vienna, house concerts (or chamber music performances) were a significant part of the musical culture, particularly among the aristocracy and emerging middle class. These events were intimate gatherings in private residences, contrasting with the large public opera houses and concert halls that became more common later in the century. We present the music of Haydn, Beethoven and Corelli.
Adelaide Baroque // House Concerts: Sunday afternoon at the Schönbrunn Palace
In 18th-century Vienna, house concerts (or chamber music performances) were a significant part of the musical culture, particularly among the aristocracy and emerging middle class. These events were intimate gatherings in private residences, contrasting with the large public opera houses and concert halls that became more common later in the century. We present the music of Haydn, Beethoven and Corelli.
Joshua Barry and Friends // UKARIA
Perfect Imperfections is a bold reimagining of the flute as an instrument of power, soul, and raw humanity. This journey takes us into the emotional landscapes of each listener, inviting us to find beauty within imperfection, connection through vulnerability, and uplift through music…
Name: Leila Josefowicz & John Novacek // Musica Viva Australia
Event description: Prepare to be kissed by a fairy, haunted by a dream and transformed by music when Canadian virtuoso violinist Leila Josefowicz and fellow-Canadian pianist John Novacek bring their fantastical tales and captivating sounds to tour Australia. ..
Sitkovetsky Trio // UKARIA
The Sitkovetsky Trio is one of the pre-eminent piano trios at work on today’s global stage. Formed by classmates at the UK’s Menuhin School over twenty years ago, the trio performs regularly in venues such as Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and London’s Wigmore Hall, and their extensive discography for BIS Records has won numerous awards…
Sitkovetsky Trio with Stefanie Farrands // UKARIA
For their second concert, the Sitkovetsky Trio is joined by Australia’s own Stefanie Farrands, Principal Viola of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, in a program of distinctively Hungarian flavour. The scene is set with Haydn’s Hungarian-influenced Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, written during one of Haydn’s ‘liberating’ sojourns in London and dedicated to his student and intimate confidant Rebecca Schroeter…
Andrea Lam // UKARIA
Andrea Lam is one of Australia’s most recognised concert pianists. The host and star of hit ABC TV series The Piano, Andrea is a passionate advocate for her instrument, introducing a new generation of Australians to its expressive power and possibility. In demand as concerto soloist with Australia’s major orchestras, and following a celebrated US career, Andrea returns for her first solo recital at UKARIA with a nuanced, wide-ranging program that showcases her interpretative sensitivity…
Are We There Yet? (Relaxed Session) // ASO
Much loved Australian young person’s author Alison Lester’s book Are We There Yet? comes to life through music in this unique family performance.
Are We There Yet? // ASO
Much loved Australian young person’s author Alison Lester’s book Are We There Yet? comes to life through music in this unique family performance.
Schubert - Lebensstürme, Schumann, Rachmaninov & more
Federico Bucaioni, piano
Gioia Barbera, piano
Attacca Quartet // UKARIA
Two-time GRAMMY Award-winning Attacca Quartet is one of the most fearless and opinionated young quartets at work today. They make their UKARIA debut with a recital that exemplifies the ensemble’s unique character and programming style…
Adelaide Baroque // ORCHESTRAL SERIES 2: Baroque Rarities
18th century Germany was a hotbed of innovation and exploration for both composers and instrumentalists alike, and wind instruments in particular were developing and fascinating repertoire was being conceived.
We’re fortunate to have Emma Gregan display her skills as one of the top natural horn players in Australia, whilst Brendan O’Donnell has established himself as one of the finest and most versatile historical woodwind players in Australia since returning from Germany.
This will be a treat for the ears with a colourful and fascinating program of rarely heard works by Bach, Telemann, Graun, Zelenka and Fasch (with likely SA premieres) in the wonderful acoustics of St John’s Halifax St.
In Bloom // Elder Lunchtimes
Adelaide University’s Quartet-in-Residence, the Australian String Quartet (ASQ), joins forces with the Elder Conservatorium’s Dean, Professor Anna Goldsworthy, for a program that pairs fresh creative talent with one of the great cornerstones of the Romantic repertoire…
Nicolas Altstaedt & Thomas Dunford // Musica Viva Australia
In the intricate weave of sounds that make up a baroque ensemble, the lute is central. It's fitting, then, that French-American lutenist Thomas Dunford is at the centre of some of the most exciting early music-making of the moment…
Vignettes // Elder Lunchtimes
In his youth, Shostakovich was employed as a cinema pianist, improvising soundtracks for silent films. This theatrical flair and narrative sensibility can be found in his Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano. A suite of vignettes, each piece tells its own story and unfolds like a reel of miniature scenes. Composed during his so-called Year of Chamber Music’ , Schumann’s Piano Quintet won him the valuable approval of Richard Wagner, who remarked, ‘I liked the Quintet very much: I asked your lovely wife to play it twice.’ Guest artist Ikki Opitz’s appearance is made possible by the EMR Distinguished Visiting Artist Fund.
Flair and Invention // Elder Lunchtimes
In the era after the legendary virtuosi of the nineteenth century, instrumentalists continually redefined the limits of technical brilliance and expressive possibility…
Shostakovich and Franck // Elder Lunchtimes
There is perhaps not a more exciting time in an artist’s career than the beginning – full of possibility and promise, works are infused with a certain youthful vigour. Ensemble Lumen guides audiences back to almost the beginning of Shostakovich and Franck’s careers…
Waltzes of Love // Elder Lunchtimes
Johannes Brahms’s Liebeslieder-Walzer reveals the composer at his most intimate and warmly expressive. Drawing on folk-inspired dance forms and poetic texts about love in its many guises, these short waltzes balance elegance with emotional directness. The music moves effortlessly between light-hearted charm and moments of deep tenderness, combining a vocal quartet with four-hand piano accompaniment Though modest in scale, the Liebeslieder display Brahms’s extraordinary craftsmanship, weaving rich harmony and lyrical melody into works that feel both immediate and timeless. Together, these selections offer a glimpse into Brahms’s deeply human, affectionate musical world.
Adelaide Baroque // ORCHESTRAL SERIES 3: Old Worlds And New 2
Following our highly successful ‘Old Worlds and New’ project in 2024, we now continue our journey eastwards to explore the historical musical worlds of current-day Greece, Syria and Persia, amid the overarching influence of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. We will weave a narrative in music and words telling of this time and of travelling musicians, exchange of arts and instruments, and the diasporas from religious persecution.
Adelaide Baroque // ORCHESTRAL SERIES 3: Old Worlds And New 2
Following our highly successful ‘Old Worlds and New’ project in 2024, we now continue our journey eastwards to explore the historical musical worlds of current-day Greece, Syria and Persia, amid the overarching influence of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. We will weave a narrative in music and words telling of this time and of travelling musicians, exchange of arts and instruments, and the diasporas from religious persecution.
Adelaide Baroque // ORCHESTRAL SERIES 3: Old Worlds And New 2
Following our highly successful ‘Old Worlds and New’ project in 2024, we now continue our journey eastwards to explore the historical musical worlds of current-day Greece, Syria and Persia, amid the overarching influence of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. We will weave a narrative in music and words telling of this time and of travelling musicians, exchange of arts and instruments, and the diasporas from religious persecution.
In Honour of Beryl Kimber (Leske) // Elder Lunchtimes
This special concert honours the memory of Beryl Kimber (Leske), whose distinguished career as an international virtuoso and violin teacher at the Elder Conservatorium spanned decades, shaping generations of musicians…
Barossa Weekend of Music // ASQ
Join us for a memorable weekend of music set across iconic venues in Angaston, Tanunda, Seppeltsfield and Nuriootpa. Over the weekend, we invite you to share some of our favourite string quartets, along with performances by award-winning singer Parvyn Kaur Singh and multi-instrumentalist Josh Bennett. Blending classical Indian raga melodies and rhythms with contemporary genres like soul, jazz, and pop, Parvyn is internationally acclaimed for her genre-defying sound.
The Adelaide Connection x The Wardells // Elder Lunchtimes
Experience the full spectrum of jazz vocal excellence as the Elder Conservatorium presents two exceptional ensembles in one lunchtime concert…
In Colour // Elder Lunchtimes
While this unusual combination of instruments has little historical repertoire, this concert features three fantastic modern works that illuminate the unique sound world of double reeds and piano…
Serenade // Elder Lunchtimes
The charismatic and energic ensemble Arcadia Winds presents a delightful afternoon of chamber music for woodwind instruments…
Adelaide Baroque // EXPLORATIONS SERIES 2: After An Easy And Elegant Taste
Salvatore Lanzetti was an Italian cello virtuoso whose works had largely been forgotten until modern times. Brilliantly virtuosic, and yet cellistic, his style contributed to several developments in cello technique, and his cello sonatas are revered today as some.
Paul Lewis: Mozart+ // Musica Viva Australia
Acclaimed British concert pianist Paul Lewis is celebrated for his interpretations of the great piano works of Beethoven and Schubert. He now turns his laser-like focus and insightful musicianship to Mozart…
Spring Spectacular // Elder Lunchtimes
Experience an exhilarating concert featuring the Elder Conservatorium Wind Orchestra, performing music full of exuberance, virtuosic brilliance, and wonder…
Paul Lewis: Mozart+ Program Two // UKARIA
Internationally regarded as one of the leading musicians of his generation, Paul Lewis’ cycles of core piano repertoire by Beethoven and Schubert have received universal critical acclaim. For his latest project beginning in 2026, Paul turns his attention to Mozart…
Rhapsody // Elder Lunchtimes
The Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra take to the stage under the baton of Lien Boon Hua from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, National University of Singapore…
Bohemian Wanderlust // Elder Lunchtimes
Join mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble and pianist Anna Goldsworthy for a journey through the passionate songs of Europe and Latin America. From Brahms's fiery Zigeunerlieder and Bizet's seductive Habanera, to the folk-inspired artistry of Manuel de Falla and the melancholic beauty of Carlos Guastavino's Argentine songs, this recital celebrates wandering spirits and musical passion across cultures.
Serenity with Strings // Elder Lunchtimes
Elder Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra
Elizabeth Layton director / violin
Sterling Rieck viola
Hindemith Trauermusik for Viola and Strings
Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings, Op. 48
The two works in today’s concert were both composed under remarkable circumstances, and in close connection with other celebrated pieces. Paul Hindemith travelled to London to premiere his Viola Concerto, only for his plans to be interrupted by the death of King George V. In response, Hindemith spent the following day in the BBC studios composing Trauermusik, written between 11.00am and 5.00pm. and broadcast that very evening with the composer as soloist. Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings was written alongside the famous 1812 Overture. Though Tchaikovsky felt little affection for the latter, the Serenade stands as a deeply personal work, inspired by Mozart and infused with the spirit of Russian folk music.
Top Class // Elder Lunchtimes
Our annual classical performance showcase concert, featuring top student performers from the Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts. Supported by the Peter Brooker Prize for Musical Excellence.
Adelaide Baroque // House Concerts: The Devil and the Priest
One renowned for devilish skills yet who spent his time in the company of cardinals; the other a priest with a colourful reputation! Corelli and Vivaldi feature along with the mysterious Iganzio Sieber, recorder virtuoso who kept the company of them both…
Evolution // Elder Lunchtimes
lthough Beethoven and Schoenberg were physically and harmonically worlds apart, the Transfigured String Trio presents two works that perfectly complement each other. Beethoven’s Op. 9 trios, while not as perennially popular as the quartets, were among his earliest mature chamber works. Each of the four movements is filled with the humorous wit and joie de vivre for which Beethoven was known. While at this point, Beethoven was likely in denial about the onset of his deafness, Schoenberg was very much open about his own illness: this trio was written after a near-fatal heart attack. He regarded the work as a portrait of his illness in music, a representation of the delirium, agitation, and suffering he experienced throughout his life.
Latvian Radio Choir & Genevieve Lacey // Musica Viva Australia
The Latvian Radio Choir spread their wings and fly with Australia’s own recorder queen, Genevieve Lacey. Join them as they look to the skies for dancing planets and soaring birds in the music of Peteris Vasks…
Adelaide Baroque // Handel’s Messiah At The Cathedral
Handel’s music is eternal, optimistic, lively, and given fresh life in this invigorating and inspiring performance. What Christmas is complete without the joyous music of “For unto us a child is Born”, the Hallelujah Chorus, and the resounding final Amen? And no more fitting venue than the beautiful surrounds of St Peter’s Cathedral. Adelaide Baroque is very excited to be again partnering with the St Peter’s Cathedral Consort for what is becoming a annual ‘Messiah’ on historical instruments in Adelaide. The Concert is presented by the St Peter’s Cathedral Music Foundation.
Adelaide Baroque // Handel’s Messiah At The Cathedral
Handel’s music is eternal, optimistic, lively, and given fresh life in this invigorating and inspiring performance. What Christmas is complete without the joyous music of “For unto us a child is Born”, the Hallelujah Chorus, and the resounding final Amen? And no more fitting venue than the beautiful surrounds of St Peter’s Cathedral. Adelaide Baroque is very excited to be again partnering with the St Peter’s Cathedral Consort for what is becoming a annual ‘Messiah’ on historical instruments in Adelaide. The Concert is presented by the St Peter’s Cathedral Music Foundation.
The Evolution of Aṉangu Music // Iwiri Choir
Rooted in the rich traditions of the APY Lands, this performance celebrates the spirit of Aṉangu culture. Blending tradition with contemporary expression, audiences will be immersed in a diverse array of performance styles, from the ancient and deeply spiritual rhythms of Inma (cultural song and dance), to the harmonious strength of choir, and the contemporary voices of rap, reggae, and R’n’B.
Each element speaks to the ongoing evolution of Aṉangu expression — blending tradition with the modern, and honouring connection to Country, community, and culture. More than a performance, this is a statement: of resilience, of creativity, and of the unbroken, ever-adapting story of the Anangu people.
Sergej Krylov with Konstantin Shamray // UKARIA
Pairing effortless lyricism with intense virtuosity, Italian-based violinist Sergej Krylov carries the influence of the great cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, with whom he regularly shared a stage as a young violinist. Krylov has held the multi-faceted role of Music Director of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra since 2008, while performing as soloist with orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, Orchestre National de Lyon and the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin…
Piano Perspectives // Elder Lunchtimes
Carl Vine, one of our nation’s foremost composers, gained prominence for his compositions for dance. In his first Piano Sonata (1990), he explores complex textures with interesting cross-rhythms and rhythmic drive, building up layers of resonance that vary from ‘pointed polyphony’ to being ‘granite-like in density, propelling the music irresistibly towards its climax.’ Peter Sculthorpe's Left Bank Waltz is a nostalgic, jazz-inflected piano piece that evokes the atmosphere of 1930s Parisian café culture with its gentle waltz rhythm and wistful melodic charm.
El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered
The soaring oratorio El Niño by John Adams, one of the leading composers of his generation, had its Australian premiere at the 2002 Adelaide Festival in a landmark production directed by Peter Sellars.
El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered is a new chamber adaptation of this monumental work, featuring Grammy Award-winning singer Julia Bullock. Hailed as “intimate, affecting and quietly rich with activism” (The New York Times), this distilled rendering centres the maternal voice within what has historically been delivered as a patriarchal narrative.
Kneale, Bijl, and Yuan // Prokoviev and more
Programme:
Prokofiev - Symphony No. 1, "Classical" arr. for Bassoon, Saxophone and Piano
Recitals Australia // Songs for Voice and Classical Guitar
Join mezzo soprano / soprano and classical guitarist Katelyn Crawford, and classical guitarist Caleb Lavery-Brook, for ‘Songs for Voice and Classical Guitar’, a Recitals Australia Special Event celebrating repertoire written and arranged for voice and classical guitar. Featuring Lennox Berkeley’s evocative song cycle ‘Songs of the Half-Light’, Manuel de Falla’s song cycle ‘Siete canciones populares españolas’, as well as pieces including Beethoven’s ‘Adelaide’, Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Scarborough Fair’, and Quique Sinesi’s ‘Cielo Abierto’.
Alma's World // Alma Moodie Quartet with Konstantin Shamray and Robert Nairn
Alma Moodie, born in 1898 in regional Queensland, was one of the pre-eminent violin soloists in Europe during the early 20th century. Helping to bring this remarkable Australian virtuosa out of the historical shadow, the Alma Moodie Quartet shares the dedication to music, both popular and neglected, that their namesake championed.
James Huon George // Schubert - 34 Valse Sentimentales and more
Programme:
Franz Schubert
- 12 Viennese German Dances, D. 128
- 12 Ecossaises, D. 299
- 34 Valse Sentimentales, D. 779
Swivel & Swerve // Elder Lunchtimes
Ensemble Lumen has the privilege of opening our 2026 Lunchtime Concert Series with Swivel & Swerve – a recent work by Holly Harrison, a composer noted for writing some of ‘the most exciting works to come out of Australia over the past decade’ (Limelight). Wynton Marsalis’s Meeelaan follows, introducing a taste of the composer-performer’s New Orleans style in an intriguing work for bassoon and string quartet. Rounding out the program is Ravel’s beloved Piano Trio, offering its own exploration of diverse influences: the first movement honouring his Basque heritage, the second an ode to Malayan poetry, and the third a Baroque-inspired Passacaglia.
Orfeo by Luigi Rossi // Ensemble Pymalion
Rediscover a forgotten masterpiece
The myth of Orpheus and his lost wife Eurydice grapples with the inescapable forces of love and death that define our existence. It has captured the imagination of composers, writers and audiences for millennia.
Marwood & Mustonen // Adelaide Festival
For the first time ever together, we are proud to present Anthony Marwood and Olli Mustonen in an exclusive duo performance that marks the culmination of their individual Adelaide Festival residencies. Though long-time admirers of one another’s artistry, incredibly they have never shared the stage, until now. This final concert showcases their extraordinary talents as soloists before they come together for Shostakovich’s mysterious Sonata for Violin and Piano.
A Winter's Journey // Musica Viva Australia
British tenor Allan Clayton and Australian pianist Kate Golla set out once again on A Winter’s Journey in the internationally-acclaimed production reimagines Schubert’s Winterreise…
Monteverdi's Vespers // Ensemble Pygmalion
Experience one of the greatest works of sacred music ever written
Be transported through time and space to one of the cultural glories of western civilisation and spend an evening in Saint Mark’s Basilica, Venice at the dawn of the Italian Baroque.
Tyshawn Sorey // Adelaide Festival
Jazz titan, Tyshawn Sorey performs in solo piano mode for one-night-only.
Tyshawn Sorey is a remarkable figure in contemporary music – an acclaimed composer and multi-instrumentalist and one of the most in demand drummers amongst the titans of the jazz scene. Collaborating with icons like John Zorn, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano and Vijay Iyer, Sorey stands at the vanguard of the contemporary classical world.
Perle Noire: Meditations for Joséphine
Experience the brilliance of soprano Julia Bullock in a work that shines a light on the life and legacy of Joséphine Baker
The Beethoven Sonatas - Moonlight // Olli Mustonen
The final concert features the beloved Moonlight sonata and the profound Op. 110 – Beethoven’s
penultimate sonata, written in ill health and filled with transcendent beauty.
Adelaide Baroque Quartet // Enlightened Strings
The early 1700's saw a new period in the Arts, a time of great change and transformation with incredible advances in composition and performance. The Age of Reason, termed The Age of Enlightenment, promoted ideas such as liberty, progress, and democracy. Our program highlights composers including Mozart, Haydn, and Mendelssohn.
Brodsky Quartet with William Barton
Music history takes sonic form in this extraordinary pairing of master yidaki artist William Barton with the legendary Brodsky Quartet.
Tracing an arc through time and across cultures, this performance showcases a profound musical dialogue between traditions, where First Nations wisdom converses with the rich textures of European chamber music.
Adelaide Baroque Quartet // Enlightened Strings
The early 1700's saw a new period in the Arts, a time of great change and transformation with incredible advances in composition and performance. The Age of Reason, termed The Age of Enlightenment, promoted ideas such as liberty, progress, and democracy. Our program highlights composers including Mozart, Haydn, and Mendelssohn.
The Beethoven Sonatas - Les Adieux // Olli Mustonen
The second concert in Mustonen’s Beethoven cycle centres on three consecutive sonatas written in a period of intense creativity, culminating in the famed Les Adieux, and preceded in the first half by two elegant early works.
The Beethoven Sonatas - Appassionata // Olli Mustonen
Mustonen’s Beethoven cycle opens with the composer’s very earliest sonatas, youthful works full of wit and invention. The concert closes with the famed Appassionata, a work of staggering technical demands written as Beethoven grappled with his hearing loss.
Bach: Good Night World // Ensemble Pygmalion
Experience the emotional power of JS Bach’s choral genius in this Adelaide Festival exclusive. Framed by music born of the Thirty Years’ War, this program explores how composers sought beauty and consolation amid political and spiritual upheaval. It features what was perhaps Bach’s first cantata, alongside his most ambitious and inspiring motet, in the hands of the finest Baroque performers of today.
Adelaide Baroque Quartet // Enlightened Strings
The early 1700's saw a new period in the Arts, a time of great change and transformation with incredible advances in composition and performance. The Age of Reason, termed The Age of Enlightenment, promoted ideas such as liberty, progress, and democracy. Our program highlights composers including Mozart, Haydn, and Mendelssohn.
Adelaide Baroque Quartet // Enlightened Strings
The early 1700's saw a new period in the Arts, a time of great change and transformation with incredible advances in composition and performance. The Age of Reason, termed The Age of Enlightenment, promoted ideas such as liberty, progress, and democracy. Our program highlights composers including Mozart, Haydn, and Mendelssohn.
Debussy's Romantic Piano by Candlelight - 'Clair de Lune'
Following last year’s sold-out Edinburgh Fringe show, romantic piano pieces meet candlelit Venetian masked balls as award-winning British pianist Matthew Shiel exposes the scandalous love affairs of the great composers. Features a new romance composed specially for tonight's artist by Dr Alfredo Caponnetto – Notturno VI, alongside digital animations by acclaimed Shanghai artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen.
Adelaide Baroque Quartet // Enlightened Strings
The early 1700's saw a new period in the Arts, a time of great change and transformation with incredible advances in composition and performance. The Age of Reason, termed The Age of Enlightenment, promoted ideas such as liberty, progress, and democracy. Our program highlights composers including Mozart, Haydn, and Mendelssohn.
AI MOZART // Matthew Shiel
Matthew Shiel made history by performing the world’s first piano recital of music composed by artificial intelligence at the Edinburgh Festival 2025; this event was broadcast on Al Jazeera and subsequently commissioned by Dame Wendy Hall's Web Science Institute (UK). AI Mozart is a ground-breaking concert of original piano pieces composed by artificial intelligences in an eclectic variety of styles blurring the line between human genius and artificial intelligence. For the grand finale, YOU the audience compose a brand new piece using AI! This show is where Mozart meets machine.
Adelaide Baroque Quartet // Enlightened Strings
The early 1700's saw a new period in the Arts, a time of great change and transformation with incredible advances in composition and performance. The Age of Reason, termed The Age of Enlightenment, promoted ideas such as liberty, progress, and democracy. Our program highlights composers including Mozart, Haydn, and Mendelssohn.
Stories in Song // Nathan May // Adelaide Baroque
A powerful evening of story and song with singer-songwriter Nathan May, a chamber music concert that blurs the lines between contemporary country, folk and Baroque traditions. In a collaboration with genre-defying violinist, Julian Ferraretto and Adelaide Baroque string quartet. Directed by Chris Drummond. Created with the support of Create SA, Chamber Music Adelaide and Nexus Arts. Presented by Chamber Music Adelaide.
Death Whistle // Melanie Walters
Adelaide flutist Melanie Walters and her piccolo return to the Adelaide Fringe with a new concert of contemporary music for the much-maligned little instrument.