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The White Hat Guide to Classical Music in Melbourne & Victoria

Comprehensive list of concerts and recitals in Melbourne
The White Hat Classical Music Map of Melbourne

Comprehensive list of concerts and recitals in Melbourne

Below is a comprehensive listing of classical music concerts and performances in Melbourne. We believe this to be the most comprehensive listing of such performances in Melbourne available either on the web or in print.

You may also choose to list concerts featuring particular composers or instruments by using the drop-down menus below.

If you are looking for concerts on a particular date, select the date from the drop-down box below.

What's on in Melbourne

Free Organ Recital

Get away from the city bustle and enjoy a free organ recital in historic St Michael's Church.
1pm to 1.30pm, every Thursday

St Michael's Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne -

Free Enquiries: (03) 9654 5120

Moonlight Cinema in the Royal Botanic Gardens - Don Giovanni

Watch a movie in the night air in the magical surroundings of Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens. Tickets from $18/$16/$14 plus booking fee. Full details and bookings at Moonlight Cinema. Entry is from Gate D on Birdwood Avenue (near the intersection of Domain Road), South Yarra. Gates open at 7pm in December, January and February, 6.30pm in March and screenings start at sundown. Food and drink available together with a full bar on site. Tonight's movie is Don Giovanni
Saturday 11th February 2012

Royal Botanic Gardens -

Opera Under The Stars

A concert version of Melbourne Opera Company's production of The Merry Widow. White Hat suggests it would difficult to find a more magical setting than the Royal Botanic Gardens under the stars to listen the song of Vilja - the nymph of the woods - together with the host of other melodies from this much loved operetta. full details and booking information at Opera Under the Stars.
6pm, Sunday 12th February 2012

Royal Botanic Gardens -

adult $45, concession $40, group 10+ $40, child (under 16 years) $25

Sidney Myer Free Concerts: No.1 - Russian Rhapsody

Sidney Myer Music BowlWhite Hat always looks forward to the Sidney Myer Free Concerts as one of the highlights of the summer in Melbourne. They are made available free to the people of Melbourne (and visitors) through the philanthropy of the late Sidney Myer and performed in the wonderful outdoor Music Bowl which he also contributed to the city.

The first concert in the season features intense Russian music opening with Rachmaninov's brooding Isle of the Dead and concluding with his brilliant Symphonic Dances

Performed by The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Simon Hewett (conductor) and Antoinette Halloran (soprano)

This is a free concert but tickets must be obtained in advance and there are conditions regarding what may be taken into the venue regarding fodd, drink, chairs, etc. Whiet hat will post this information here as soon as it becomes available.

Our rating:
Five Hats

Hat Hat Hat Hat Hat
7pm, Wednesday 15th February 2012

Sidney Myer Music Bowl -

Free but tickets required

Sidney Myer Free Concerts: No.2 - Kalkadunga

Sidney Myer Music Bowl  

White Hat always looks forward to the Sidney Myer Free Concerts as one of the highlights of the summer in Melbourne. They are made available free to the people of Melbourne (and visitors) through the philanthropy of the late Sidney Myer and performed in the wonderful outdoor Music Bowl which he also contributed to the city.

Here is your opportunity tp lie on your back under the stars while the orchestra conjures up the spirit of Mexico, Finland and Aboriginal Melbourne. Of course when the first white men arrived in Melbourne they wouldn't have heard the didgeridoo - at that time it was unknown to Aboriginal people in southern and eastern Australia as it was confined confined to the Pilbara area. Some time after white settlement, the 'didge' began to spread around Australia and was soon incorporated into the various local Aboriginal cultures around the country. You are unlikely to hear it better played than by that wonderful musician, William Barton

Performed by The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Benjamin Northey (conductor) and William Barton (didgeridoo).

This is a free concert but tickets must be obtained in advance and there are conditions regarding what may be taken into the venue regarding fodd, drink, chairs, etc. Whiet hat will post this information here as soon as it becomes available.

Our rating:
Five Hats

Hat Hat Hat Hat Hat
7pm, Saturday 18th February 2012

Sidney Myer Music Bowl -

Free but tickets required

Bach 4 - 2

The German Church in 2012 will present an International Bachfest with Music, Movies and More.. The first recitals 'Bach 4 - 2'will cover the complete cycle of Bach's Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord plus works for solo instruments played by Elizabeth Anderson (harpsichord) and Briar Goessi and Rachael Beesley (violin).
3pm, 19th & 26th Feb and 11th March

German Lutheran Trinity Church, 22 Parliament Place East Melbourne -

$35 and $25 (concession) Enquiries: (03) 9654 5743

Chopin & Mendelssohn's Octet

Polina Leschenko

The Australian Chamber Orchestra with Richard Tognetti (Artistic Director and Lead Violin) and Polina Leschenko (piano).  The orchestras three wonderful heritage violins – a Stradivari, a Guarneri and a Guadagnini - will display their wares in the Paganini caprices. Chopin's first piano concerto is a much loved work full of romantic lyricism and although Górecki is best known for his haunting and heartfelt Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, his Piano Concerto bristles with driving rhythms and energy. The concert ends with one of the glories of chamber music - Mendelssohn's Octet. In White Hat's experience ACO's performance of this work is the equal of any performance you are likely to hear anywhere else in the world.

2.30pm, Sun 19th Feb; 8pm, Mon 20th Feb 2012

Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne -

Buy tickets direct from ACO here

Sidney Myer Free Concerts: No.3 - Rising Star

Sidney Myer Music BowlWhite Hat always looks forward to the Sidney Myer Free Concerts as one of the highlights of the summer in Melbourne. They are made available free to the people of Melbourne (and visitors) through the philanthropy of the late Sidney Myer and performed in the wonderful outdoor Music Bowl which he also contributed to the city.

The remarkable music scheme that started in Venezuela in 1975 known as Venezuelan Sistema has given the world some wonderful and inspiring classical music performances and musicians. Diego Matheuz is one of the the latest musicians to emerge from this powerhouse, and at just 26, is bringing his combination of Latin flair and technical mastery to the world’s leading orchestras. This concert is your chance to experience one of today’s rising musical personalities in a program of sumptuous, powerful classics. He is joined in this concert by Australian pianist Ian Munro.

Performed by The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Diego Matheuz (conductor) and  Ian Munro (piano)

This is a free concert but tickets must be obtained in advance and there are conditions regarding what may be taken into the venue regarding fodd, drink, chairs, etc. Whiet hat will post this information here as soon as it becomes available.

Our rating:
Five Hats

Hat Hat Hat Hat Hat
7pm, Wednesday 22nd February 2012

Sidney Myer Music Bowl -

Free but tickets required

Italy's I Musici Performs at Robert Blackwood Hall

An opportunity to hear the legendary Italian string ensemble I Musici in their only Melbourne concert on their 60th anniversary world tour at Monash University's Robert Blackwood Hall, with a free pre-concert talk at 6 45 pm. Hear their iconic version of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and works by Donizetti, Rossini and Paganini.
7.30pm, Wednesday 22nd Feburary 2012

Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton -

Tickets from $40

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra - Venice Secrets

Australian Brandenburg OrchestraWhite Hat suggests that for those interested in an introduction to the period instruments of a Baroque orchestra it would be hard to find a better concert than this one. Vivaldi, writing to develop and show off the remarkable instrumental skills of the girls of the Ospedale Dell Pieta made sure there were passages to parade each instrument briefly in the spotlight as well as integrating them into the orchestral colour. And for those who need no introduction to Baroque period instrument performances this concert will provide you with the opportunity to see whether you agree with White Hat that the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra  (Artistic Director Paul Dyer)  is now of international standard in its performance on period instruments. The concert will feature Federico Guglielmo from Italy as guest director and violin soloist.

  • Vivaldi Ciaccona from Concerto for Strings in C major RV 114
  • Vivaldi Concerto for several instruments in G minor RV 576
  • Vivaldi Concerto for several instruments in F major RV 572, Il Proteo
  • Vivaldi Concerto for several instruments in D major RV 562
  • Vivaldi Concerto for several instruments in F major RV 574
  • Vivaldi Concerto for two violins and two cellos RV 564
  • Vivaldi Concerto for several instruments in G minor RV 577


7pm, Sat 25th Feb; 5pm Sun 26th Feb 2012, Melbourne Recital Centre

7pm, Sat 25th Feb; 5pm Sun 26th Feb 2012

Melbourne Recital Centre -

Enquiries & bookings: 1300 782 856

Sidney Myer Free Concerts: No.4 - Four South American Seasons

Sidney Myer Music Bowl  

White Hat always looks forward to the Sidney Myer Free Concerts as one of the highlights of the summer in Melbourne. They are made available free to the people of Melbourne (and visitors) through the philanthropy of the late Sidney Myer and performed in the wonderful outdoor Music Bowl which he also contributed to the city.

The Venezuelan conductor Diego Matheuz, here brings a celebration of dance music which is sure to have patrons on the grass itching to get up and dance because are not the simple repetitive rhythms of a Summdayze or Big Day Out, but the full complex classical rhythms of a full orchestra. Astor Piazzolla's masterpiece, Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, is the Latin equivalent of Vivaldi’s famous work, and for it Matheuz will be joined by young Australian violinist, Kristian Winther. The concert culminates in a blaze of rhythmic energy with Moncayo’s jubilant Huapango.

  • Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet: Suite No.2
  • Marquez Danzon No.2
  • Piazzolla Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
  • Moncayo Huapango

Performed by The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Diego Matheuz (conductor) and Kristian Winther (violin).

This is a free concert but tickets must be obtained in advance and there are conditions regarding what may be taken into the venue regarding fodd, drink, chairs, etc. Whiet hat will post this information here as soon as it becomes available.

Our rating:
Five Hats

Hat Hat Hat Hat Hat
7pm, Saturday 25th February 2012

Sidney Myer Music Bowl -

Free but tickets required

Melbourne Town Hall Proms - Tognetti Plays Mendelssohn

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Nigel Westlake (conductor), MSO Chorus, Richard Tognetti (violin) and Simon Casey (treble).

Although Mendelssohn wrote more than one violin concerto, the Violin Concerto in E minor is universally referred to as the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. It deserves its position as one of the most popular, most tuneful and beautifully crafted concertos in the repertoire. Australian composer Nigel Westlake, possibly best known as a composer of film music (including award-winning scores for Babe, Miss Potter, Antarctica and Solarmax) introduces his newest and powerful work born out of profound tragedy

Melbourne Town Hall -

7.30pm, Friday 2nd March 2012

Tafelmusik - The Galileo Project Music of the Spheres

Tafelmusik

Canadian ensemble Tafelmusik will take you on an epic space odyssey, performing period music before stunning images from the Hubble deep space telescope. Combining music, photography and story-telling, The Galileo Project brings to life the brilliant minds of the early astronomers and the music that inspired them, as a large-scale, ever-changing backdrop of stars and planets unfolds.

The publicity states "Using the best of Bach, Handel, Monteverdi and Vivaldi, come and hear the tunes that were probably stuck in Galileo’s head when he discovered the moons of Jupiter." Now you are probably thinking, like White Hat how could tunes of composers who hadn't been born yet be stuck in his head. However we are sure that this program has been meticulously researched so all will be revealed. The program will also feature works by Lully, Purcell, Rameau, Telemann & Michelangelo Galilei brother of the astronomer). From the reputation of the group and the reviews of this concert, White Hat suggests you go out of your way to attend.

[For those wanting a little background to the history of the concept that over the centuries was known as The Music of the Spheres, White Hat suggests that you consult the program notes of Music of the Spheres - given by Ars Nova of Melbourne. This concert is unrelated to the one above but was also based on the relationship composers, mathematicians and scientists long saw between music, mathematics and the heavenly bodies.]

8pm,Sat 3rd March & 7pm, Tue 6th March 2012

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

TarraWarra Festival

The Australian Chamber Orchestra performs three intimate concerts over one weekend at the stunning TarraWarra Museum of Art, an hour from Melbourne.

  • 12noon, Saturday 3rd March 2012 - Concert featuring Bach’s A minor Violin Concerto and Grieg’s Holberg Suite.
  • 6pm, Saturday 3rd March 2012 - Concert featuring Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.4 and Pachelbel’s Canon.
  • 7.45pm, Saturday 3rd March 2012 - Gala Dinner with Musicians  $220 per head, includes 3 courses and matching TarraWarra Estate wines. Book at TarraWarra Estate Restaurant on (03) 5957 3510
  • 11am, Sunday 4th March 2012 - Masterclass by Richard Tognetti
  • 3pm, Sunday 4th March 2012 - Concert featuring music by Rameau, Debussy, Paganini and Prokofiev.

Ticket Booking Package: $240 for 3 concerts Individual concerts: $90 Master class: $20 Or call ACO Box Office on 1800 444 444

3rd & 4th March 2012

TarraWarra Museum of Art, 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Healesville -

Buy tickets direct from ACO here

Mozart By Moonlight

Enjoy a wonderful night of Mozart’s best known arias from operas including The Magic Flute, Cosi Fan Tutte, The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni. White Hat suggests that a night of Mozart under the stars in the Royal Botanic Gardens could be a perfect romantic outing - provided you keep an eye your partner. Ladies may find that inspired by Don Giovanni their gentleman friend has disappeared with another woman before the end of the night. And a pair of gentlemen heading off to buuy drinks for their girlfriends at interval could come back and find them, inspired by Fiordiligi and Dorabella, already hooked up with two other men. Full details and booking information at Mozart by Moonlight.
6pm, Sunday 4th March 2012

Royal Botanic Gardens -

adult $45, concession $40, group 10+ $40, child (under 16 years) $25

Australian String Quartet - Towards Light

The Australian String Quartet have new personnel for 2012 and White Hat feels it is appropriate that for their first concert the new ensemble should emerge out of the dreamtime with Peter Scunthorpe's Jabiru Dreaming (String Quartet No.11). Dvořák as at his tuneful best in his String Quartet No.10 then the concert finishes with one of the great 20th century chamber works - Shostakovich's Piano Quintet. This work captures Shostakovich in one of his rare moments of relaxation and seeming contentment. We have rated this concert at 4 hats on potential and, who knows, after this new ensemble has been heard for the first time this may become 5 hats.

Our rating:
Four Hats

Hat Hat Hat Hat  
7pm, Wednesday 14th March 2012

Melbourne Recital Centre -

Tickets available from Australian String Quartet

Australian Chamber Orchestra & The Hilliard Ensemble

Hilliard EnsembleThe Australian Chamber Orchestra (Helena Rathbone Lead Violin) with The Hilliard Ensemble. White Hat refards The Hilliard Ensemble to be one of the finest male vocal ensembles in the world. Their attention to tuning and chording in Medieval and Renaissance music gives it a 'ring' not heard in ensembles who stick to compromise of the equal temperament of the keyboard. This attention to ensemble tuning also pays dividends in contemporary music. This promises to be a special concert.
  • Elgar Serenade for strings
  • Sheryngham Ah, gentle Jesu
  • Raskatov Obikhod (Australian Premiere)
  • Pärt Most Holy Mother of God
  • Gregorian Chant Veni Creator Spiritus
  • Anon (French Medieval) Veni Creator Spiritus
  • Edwards Veni Creator Spiritus
  • Arensky Variations on a theme by Tchaikovsky
2.30pm, 18th March: 8pm 19th March 2012

Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne -

Buy tickets direct from ACO here

St Lawrence String Quartet and Diana Doherty

St Lawrence String QuartetWhite Hat suggests that lovers of the oboe should head out of their way for this concert. Diana Doherty is an Australian oboist who has won international acclaim. In this concert she joins with the fine St Lawrence String Quartet to perform Mozart's F major oboe quartet which is tuneful and refined - you would expect nothing less of Mozart and later performs Australian composer Matthew Hindson's Rush with its driving rhythms borrowing strongly from rock and pop music. Mozart's quartet is flanked by string quartets from fellow Viennese, Haydn and Beethoven.

Diana Doherty

7pm, Tuesday 24th April 2012

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

St Lawrence String Quartet and Diana Doherty

A fine string quartet, one of the best oboists in the world, a Mozart chamber work full of tuneful grace and a Dvorák quartet ending with a movement of exuberant optimism. White Hat suggests it would be a dreary soul indeed who wouldn't enjoy this concert.Diana Doherty

St Lawrence String Quartet

8pm, Saturday 28th April 2012

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

Melbourne Town Hall Proms - Beethoven and Dvorák

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Andrew Grams (conductor) and Andreas Haefliger (piano).

The inspiration of the folk music and culture of his native Bohemia invests Dvorák’s music with enormous energy and spirit, and his Seventh Symphony explodes with all the passion and vigour of this inspiration. Paired with works by two German masters who inspired him, this concert of great classics is pure delight.

Dvorák took the Germane tradition of music developed by Beethoven and Brahms and combined it with inspiration drawn from the folk music and culture of his native Bohemia to create the wonderful Symphony No.7. It is both tuneful and exuberant and well suited to a prom concert.

Melbourne Town Hall -

7.30pm, Friday 18th May 2012 Bookings through Ticketmaster: 1300 72 30 38

Trio Dali

Trio Dali

The young and glamorous French trio are named after a Chinese marble, rather than the Spanish artist. With two of the great works from the piano trio repertoire, White Hat suspects this may turn out to be a memorable concert.

7pm Tue 22nd May & 8pm Sat 26th May 2012

Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

Woodend Winter Arts Festival

The Woodend Winter Arts Festival showcases music, literature and the visual arts in intimate historical venues over three pleasurable days.
9th to 11th June 2012 (tbc)

Woodend -

Enquiries: (03) 9842 9740

Australian String Quartet - Legacy

The Australian String Quartet's second concert in their 2011 combines early Beethoven, late Brahms and the Australian composer Brett Dean who will also be playing viola. White Hat suggests that the richness of texture provided by the additional viola should make this a particularly satisfying concert.

  • Beethoven String Quartet in D, Op 18 No 3

  • Brett Dean Epitaphs for Viola and String Quartet

  • Brahms String Quintet in G, Op 111 (with Brett Dean, viola)

7pm, Thursday 14th June 2012

Melbourne Recital Centre -

Tickets available from Australian String Quartet

Danielle de Niese with the Australian Chamber Orchestra

Danielle de Niese

Danielle de Niese (soprano) has long been on White Hat's list of Significant Melbourne People. She was born in Melbourne and won Young Talent Time aged 9, then moved to Los Angeles, won an Emmy and made her debut with the LA Opera aged 15. She has blossomed into one of the hottest properties in opera, enrapturing audiences in roles like Cleopatra, Euridice and Susanna at Glyndebourne, the Metropolitan Opera and on screen.

To celebrate her professional debut in her home country, De Niese sings a specially commissioned Australian work, which also marks the centenary of Australia’s Nobel laureate Patrick White. The fireworks of Mozart's Exsultate jubilatee is contrasted Schubert's haunting song, Death and the Maiden. The Australian Chamber Orchestra (Richard Tognetti Artistic Director and Lead Violin) will then perform Schubert's masterly quartet (arranged for string orchestra) which uses that same song as an inspiration.

2.30pm,17th June; 8pm, 18th June 2012

Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne -

Buy tickets direct from ACO here

Melbourne Town Hall Proms - Organ Classics at Town Hall

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Andrew Davis (conductor) and Cameron Carpenter (organ)

The concert opens in Sir Andrew Davis’ own transcription of Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, for orchestra. This is followed by Poulenc's organ concerto - a work well suited to show off the mighty Town Hall Organ - before finishing with Brahms second symphony.

Melbourne Town Hall -

7.30pm, Friday 22nd June 2012 Bookings through Ticketmaster: 1300 72 30 38

Takács Quartet

Takács Quartet  

Two of the finest string quartets of the 20th century performed by one of the world's most respected chamber groups. White Hat suggests that you attend both of the Takács Quartet concerts if you can. That way you can hear the pair pair of  Janáček quartets and the Ravel & Debussy Quartets (often regarded as a 'pair') both separated across tow nights - in our opinion the best way to hear them.

7pm, Tuesday 26th June 2012

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourn -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

Takács Quartet

Takács Quartet

White Hat expects that this may well be on of the standout chamber music concerts of the year in Australia. Debussy's delicate and atmospheric string quartet together with Janáček's passionate first quartet both played by the ensemble most acknowledge to be one of the finest string quartets in the world.

8pm Saturday 30th June 2012

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

Trout Quintet & Quartet for the End of Time

Saleem Abboud Ashkar

A rare treat. Two of what White Hat regards as the finest works in the chamber music repetoire presented in the one concert. The Schubert Trout Quintet is full of sunshine and youthful optimism while Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time is, in White Hat's opinion, one of the great works of the 20th century. A prisoner of war, Messiaen wrote the Quartet for the End of Time for the musicians he found in the camp, premiering it to an audience of inmates and guards. “Never” he said, "was I listened to with such rapt attention and comprehension."

Australian Chamber Orchestra Principals are joined by clarinettist Paul Dean and dynamic young pianist Saleem Abboud Ashkar, making his Australian debut.The performers are Helena Rathbone (violin), Christopher Moore (viola), Timo-Veikko Valve (cello), Maxime Bibeau (double bass), Paul Dean (clarinet) and Saleem Abboud Ashkar (piano).

Our rating:
Five Hats

Hat Hat Hat Hat Hat
8pm, 16 July; 2.30pm, 22 July; 8pm, 23 July 2012

Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank, Melbourne -

Buy tickets direct from ACO here

Amarcord

Amarcord  

White Hat suggests that if you want to become a world class a capella ensemble, a good tsarting point is growing up singing Bach as boy sopranos in the Leipzig church where Bach himself presided. Since that time Amacord have gone on to be regarded as one of the finest male vocal ensembles in the world.

The Singing Club – Four Centuries of Song Renaissance madrigals, part-songs by Schubert, Schumann, Elgar, Dvorák, Grieg and others, alongside folk songs from around the world.

8pm ,Thursday 26th July 2012

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra - Dazzling Virtuoso

Australian Brandenburg OrchestraMost people know of the surprising loud chord in Haydn's Surprise Symphony. White Hat suggests that fewer people realise how surprising the opening three notes by the soloist of Haydn's trumpet concerto were at the time. The natural trumpet had already become an accepted part of larger Baroque orchestras but, just like a bugle, it could basically play fanfares - melodies only being possible at the top of its range. By the end of the 18th century a keyed trumpet had been created to overcome this limitation. It was for this keyed trumpet and the same particularly skilled player that both Haydn and Hummel wrote their trumpet concertos. Hummel introduces the trumpet with a suitable fanfare flourish but Haydn creates the real surprise by having the trumpet play the first three notes of the major scale in the middle of its range. To see why this was such a surprise go to The White Hat Guide to Haydn's Trumpet Concerto.

The keyed trumpet never found widespread use in the orchestra and was eventually replaced by the valve trumpet. However Gabriele Cassone from Italy  has become a skilled performer on the keyed trumpet so when he joins with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra (Artistic Director Paul Dyer) you know you are in for a truly surprising concert.

7pm, Sat 28th July; 5pm 29th July 2012

Melbourne Recital Centre -

Enquiries & bookings: 1300 782 856

Amarcord

AmarcordWhite Hat suggests that if you love unaccompanied singing you take several weeks off work and visit "a cappella" - the annual international festival of unaccompanied vocal music in Leipzig - where you will hear great a cappella ensembles from around the world. If you don't have that time or cash to spare, a much cheaper but highly satisfying option is to head along to this concert performed by the ensemble who initiated the festival and who are recognised as one of the finest male vocal ensembles in the world.

Tales of Love and Murder. Renaissance madrigals by Encina, des Prez, Lassus, Gesualdo and others, and part-songs by Saint-Saëns, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Poulenc, and folk songs from around the world.

7pm, Tuesday 31st July 2012

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

Beethoven 9 - Ode to Joy

Clare College Choir

The Australian Chamber Orchestra with Richard Tognetti (Artistic Director and Lead Violin), Choir of Clare College, Cambridge (Graham Ross Director), Lucy Crowe (soprano), Fiona Campbell (mezzo soprano), Allan Clayton (tenor) Matthew Brook (bass)

White Hat has long believed that many modern performance of Beethoven symphonies by large symphony orchestras lack the vitality and drive of a performance by a first rate chamber orchestra - supplemented where necessary - of the proportions that Beethoven was writing for For those who share this view we suggest you look no further. Critics called the ACO's recent Beethoven concert in London “the finest concert of the summer” and spoke of “thrilling playing”, “vibrant drive” and “total involvement”, concluding, “this compact chamber orchestra matches anything Europe can offer in energy, precision and interpretative rigour.”

Joined by one of the finest British choirs this concert promises to be something special where every note Beethoven wrote can be heard rather than lost in a sea of overblown orchestral 'atmosphere'.

2.30pm 12 Aug; 8pm, 13 Aug 2012

The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne -

Buy tickets direct from ACO here

Kuss Quartet & Naoko Smizu

Kuss QuartetThe Kuss Quartet is a regular at Carnegie and Wigmore Halls and Shimizu was the first female Principal Viola of the Berlin Philharmonic so this concert promises to deliver string quintet playing of the highest level

  • Gordon Kerry String Quintet (2012)
  • Bedrich Smetana String Quartet no 2 in D minor (c 1882-3)
  • György Kurtag Officium Breve in Memoriam Andreae Szervánszky, op 28
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart String Quintet no 3 in C major, K515
7pm, Tuesday 18th September 2012

Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

Kuss Quartet & Naoko Smizu

Kuss Quartet  

The Kuss Quartet is a regular at Carnegie and Wigmore Halls and Shimizu was the first female Principal Viola of the Berlin Philharmonic so this concert promises to deliver string quintet playing of the highest level.

  • Gordon Kerry String Quintet (2012)
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart String Quartet no 21 in D major, KV575
  • György Kurtag Officium Breve in Memoriam Andreae Szervánszky, op 28
  • Johannes Brahms String Quintet no 2 in G major, op 111
8pm, Saturday 22nd September 2012

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

Monteverdi's L'Orfeo

Australian Brandenburg OrchestraIn the early 17th century, Claudio Monteverdi was one of of a handful of Italian composers pioneering a new form of music drama which we know now as opera. His L'Orfeo is one of the earliest operas ever written and , in White Hat's opinion, still one of the best. It calls on the full palette of the Renaissance orchestra as well as the virtuoso vocal techniques of the time. This performance presents one of the rare opportunities to hear it in Australia performed with period instruments. Markus Brutscher  fro will perform m Germany) Orfeo with international and Australian guest artists and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra (Artistic Director and conductor Paul Dyer)
5pm, Sunday 23rd September 2012

Hamer Hall, The Arts Centre, Melbourne -

Enquiries & bookings: 1300 782 856

Melbourne Town Hall Proms - Enigma Variations

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Christopher Seaman (conductor), Radovan Vlatkovic (horn) and Oystein Baadsvik tuba.

This concert celbrates the tenth anniversary of the Melbourne International Festival of Brass and two of the world’s great brass soloists join the MSO. Framing the classic concertos for the horn and tuba are the brilliant, folksong-inspired orchestral variations by Kodály and the stirring Enigma Variations by Elgar. The Enigma is a particularly appropriate choice because of the starring and virtuosic role Elgar assigns teh brass in his masterly orchestration.Presented in collaboration with the Melbourne International Festival of Brass.

Melbourne Town Hall -

7.30pm, Friday 28th September 2012 Bookings through Ticketmaster: 1300 72 30 38

Mozart, Handel & Vivaldi Concertos

Richard Egarr

The Australian Chamber Orchestra with Richard Egarr (Guest Director, Harpsichord, Fortepiano) and Satu Vänskä (Lead Violin)

Keyboard players, conductor, historian, and director of the Academy of Ancient Music, Richard Egarr directs this concert from the harpsichord and performs Mozart's delightful Piano Concerto No.12 on the fortepiano. White Hat suggests you take the opportunity to hear the difference it make to have a Mozart concerto played on the fortepiano rather than an overblown concert grand. Satu Vänskä is soloist in a Vivaldi concerto on the ACO's Stradivarius violin.

  • Corelli Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.1
  • Castello Two Sonatas, “per stromenti d’arco”
  • Biber Battalia
  • Vivaldi Violin Concerto, RV190
  • Mozart Piano Concerto No.12
  • Handel Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.1
2.30pm 7th Oct; 8pm 8th Oct 2012

The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne -

Buy tickets direct from ACO here

Russian Visions

Steven OsborneThe Australian Chamber Orchestra with Richard Tognetti (Artistic Director and Lead Violin), Steven Osborne (piano) and David Elton (trumpet).

Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir is one of his sunniest and most exuberant works and Shostakovich's first piano concerto is full of pyrotechnics for the pianist and accompanying trumpet. What is sometimes less recognised is that this work calls for first rate string playing from the orchestra. For that reason, White Hat suggests you take the opportunity to get along and hear it with one of the best string ensembles in Australia - or any other country for that matter.

2,30pm 11th Nov; 8pm 12th Nov 2012

The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne -

Buy tickets direct from ACO here

Anthony Marwood and Aleksandar Madžar

Anthony Marwood and Aleksandar Madžar

Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata is justifiably well-known and loved as one of the great works of the violin sonata repertoire. However White Hat believes that Debussy's Violin Sonata, the last work he completed and the last that he performed in public, is yet to be afforded the status it deserves by the public. This fine pair of instrumentalists are sure to do them both justice.

7pm Tues 13th Nov & 8pm Sat 17th Nov 2012

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne -

Enquiries & bookings: 1800 688 482

The White Hat Classical Music Map of Melbourne

Click on the chosen venue link to the right of the map. Use the controls to zoom in or out on the map or change to satellite view.

 

Chamber Orchestra - Surrey Hills:

Meets Tuesdays at Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills 7.45pm for rehearsals and holds up to 3 concerts year. String players are very welcome.

$65 and $45 term fees. Enquiries: 9877 5286

Beginner Strings

Feeder strings for the Surrey Hills Chamber Orchestra rehearse at Holy Trinity, Surrey Hills, Tuesdays at 6.15pm - 7.15pm. One years playing experience needed.

$40 term. Enquiries: 9434 2147

Forthcoming Events

These events are ones which have run in the past and we expect to run in the future. As yet we do not have confirmed details, dates and contact details. To be informed of those details when they become available you can subscribe to our newsletter "Great things to do in Melbourne".

The Port Fairy Spring Music Festival

A festival featuring classical and contemporary music.
October 2012 ? Port Fairy

Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields

A festival of fine music in historic venues. Artistic director Sergio de Pieri.
January 2012 ? Ballarat and district

Symphony Under The Stars

Symphony under the Stars is a free outdoor concert that has become a summertime community tradition. Families and music-lovers are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the relaxed surrounds of the beautiful Malvern Gardens, whilst hearing and seeing the much acclaimed Stonnington Symphony orchestra live.
February 2012 ? Malvern Gardens, Hight Street, Malvern.

Melbourne International Festival of Brass

An international festival initiated in 2003 and featuring a series of workshops. Further information at Melbourne International Festival of Brass.
September 2012 ? Various venues around Melbourne

Opera in the Alps

Enjoy a relaxing evening of fine food, wine and classical favourites under the stars, in the picturesque grounds of LaTrobe at Beechworth.
January 2012? Mayday Hills Oval, La Trobe at Beechworth

Choral@Montsalvat

Choral@Montsalvat is a music-in-the-round choral festival. Fourteen choirs will sing a variety of music, including the Latin-American Missa Criolla and the African Missa Luba with colourful instrumental ensembles. The final concert will invite audience participation in the Vivaldi Gloria led by the two host choirs of the festival. $28 full, $22 concession, $12 child under 16, $65 family. Sunday May 3 2009, 12pm-5pm. Gates open at 9am.
May 2012 ? Montsalvat, 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham
These events are ones which have run in the past and we expect to run in the future. As yet we do not have confirmed details, dates and contact details. To be informed of those details when they become available you can subscribe to our newsletter "Great things to do in Melbourne".
Page last updated: 03 February, 2012
URL:
 
 
Web White Hat

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House and
Opera Australia
Dinner Package

Restaurant and Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House and
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Dinner Package

Revolutions Australian Ballet

Sydney Opera House and
Australian Ballet
Dinner Package

 

 

 

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