THE inaugural Albury Chamber Music Festival is shaping up to be a spectacle.
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A series of seven recitals will be held on November 11-13 at iconic Albury venues: St Matthew’s Church, the Adamshurst Ballroom and MAMA.
Festival highlights include Australia’s leading mezzo-soprano Sally-Anne Russell, Melbourne’s exciting new string quartet the Quartz Quartet, Sydney’s highly acclaimed and established Acacia Quartet, cellist Josephine Vains (from The Firebird Trio) and Melbourne organist Rhys Boak.
The festival, an initiative of the St Matthew’s Music Association, aims to bring quality chamber music, performed by some of Australia’s leading chamber musicians, to the Border.
Festival director Fr Peter McLeod-Miller said the program would surprise and delight.
“At a time when there is so much political division in communities, music is the international language,” he said.
“Musicians can come from many different communities around the world but through music they can all be on the same page; together they can make something beautiful.”
The festival’s artistic director Helena Kernaghan, who was also a member of the Orpheus Piano Trio, said the audiences would be impressed with the variety of the program.
She said the Saturday night concert was a highlight.
“It’s the first concert performance at MAMA,” she said.
“This concert features the wonderful melodic writing of Schubert with a selection of his Lied, as well as Dvorak’s famous Dumky Trio.”
One of the great Australian voices of the 20th century, Nance Grant AM has agreed to be the Patron of the Albury Chamber Music festival.
Described as being one of the elite Australian sopranos, along with Dame Nellie Melba, Florence Austral, Marjorie Lawrence and Dame Joan Sutherland, Grant brings great credibility and distinction to the festival.
After retirement from opera, Grant taught with Dame Joan Hammond at the Victorian College of the Arts.
“Nance Grant was born on the Border and her voice has gone all over the world,” Fr Macleod-Miller said.
There will be a free masterclass workshop for Border up-and-coming performers in the Adamshurst Ballroom on November 11 at 4pm.
Josephine Vains (strings) and Sally-Anne Russell (vocals) will critique student performers.
Scholarships will be awarded to rising musicians during the festival.
Tickets for festival events are available at the MAMA shop, at the door or online at www.alburychambermusicfestival.com.au/program.
