The Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra joins forces with classical voice students and a special guest soloist for an evening of operatic favourites. From beloved arias to stirring choruses, this gala concert celebrates the drama, passion, and vocal brilliance of the operatic tradition under the baton of Dane Lam.

Australian Ross Edwards' piano trio gem opens this program with two of pianist Kathryn Selby’s long-time friends, violinist Susie Park and cellist Julian Smiles. Anton Arensky’s second Piano Trio, stormy and passionate, is an audience favourite.. Capping off this terrific concert is Beethoven's own arrangement for piano trio of his stunning Septet. 

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.

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.

Join the Australian String Quartet for a memorable weekend of music set across iconic venues in Angaston, Tanunda, Seppeltsfield and Nuriootpa. Over the weekend, they invite you to share some of their favourite string quartets, along with performances by award-winning singer Parvyn Kaur Singh and multi-instrumentalist Josh Bennett.

Join genre-defying singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke as she launches her new album, and explores territory that is at once ancient and new – deconstructing our past, illuminating the present, and casting her eye towards our future – with her new gothic folk masterpiece, The Kiss and The Abyss.

Join genre-defying singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke as she launches her new album, and explores territory that is at once ancient and new – deconstructing our past, illuminating the present, and casting her eye towards our future – with her new gothic folk masterpiece, The Kiss and The Abyss.

Join genre-defying singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke as she launches her new album, and explores territory that is at once ancient and new – deconstructing our past, illuminating the present, and casting her eye towards our future – with her new gothic folk masterpiece, The Kiss and The Abyss.

Experience the full spectrum of jazz vocal excellence as the Elder Conservatorium presents two exceptional ensembles in one lunchtime concert.

Reuben Tsang, piano

Programme:
Scarlatti - Keyboard Sonata in D major, K. 119
Scarlatti - Keyboard Sonata in G major, K. 427
Mozart - Piano Sonata in C major, K. 330
Rachmaninov - Etude-Tableaux, Op.39

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.

Inspiration: Creation stories. Cycles of life. Music as marker of time and history, and teacher of cultural context.
Recognise: The sound worlds of Mozart and Fauré.
Discover: The piano virtuosity of Nikolai Medtner, and how his songs transport you to heaven.

Royce Wong, flute
Haowei Yang, piano

Programme:
Mozart - Sonata in A, K331 F
Rossini - Overture from the Thieving Magpie
Strauss - Voices of Spring

Inspiration: Music as communicative tool. Storytelling through the centuries. Characterisation using voice. Theatre of song. What does the voice have that other instruments don’t have? What are the risks of miscommunication?
Recognise: Schubert’s undulating Gretchen am Spinnrade (Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel).
Discover: Rachel Fenlon singing like an angel while accompanying herself at the piano… it’s mind-blowing.

Inspiration: Music as philosopher and provocateur. Asking ourselves hard questions. Building tolerance and respect. Uniting in our commonalities and celebrating our differences.
Recognise: If you liked my performance of Messiaen’s Poèmes pour Mi at UKARIA in 2020, you will love this!
Discover: Due to the virtuosic nature of this piece, it’s rare to hear it performed live.