The Keys To Our Sonorous Garden
The Keys to our Sonorous Garden showcases two of the nation’s favourite sopranos, Anna Fraser and Jane Sheldon, supported by an ensemble of exceptional Australian early music specialists from Pinchgut Opera, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Latitude 37 and the Australian Haydn Ensemble. The concert also features international guest artist, Albert-Jan Roelofs from the Netherlands’ The Wallfisch Band, playing the organ and continuo.
The theme for these events is based on the idea of sound gardens – the physical and psychological relationship we have with gardens and the pleasures and enlightenment we gain from them. These programmes feature vocal works of Handel, including his cantata Armida Abbandonata and selections from his Nine German Arias, vocal duets of Monteverdi and Couperin, Lecons de Tenebres, as well as additional vocal delights by Caccini, Scarlatti and Pepusch. Instrumental gems include Marini’s Passacalio, Contrapunti from Bach’s Art of Fugue for organ, works by Marais for viola da gamba and other instrumental selections featuring baroque violins, including an arrangement of Greensleeves.
Anna Fraser and Jane Sheldon are both Sydney born singers who specialise in early and contemporary opera and chamber music. They have collaborated on many different projects, from 17th productions presented by Pinchgut Opera to sharing the stage in festival bonanzas with the likes of Mike Patton from Faith No More. Earlier this month. Anna Fraser has already collaborated with England based period ensemble The Wallfisch Band, at the Canberra International Music Festival in May 2014, as well having worked with them in London last year. For early music players they’re rock’n’roll stars!
Fraser has devised this programme with the focus on sound gardens in all their variations – the material is luscious, exotic, erotic and is inspired by the natural, the personal, the grand, the intimate and the ethereal gardens of historical cultures and beyond.
The artists:
Anna Fraser, Jane Sheldon – sopranos/featuring special guest Albert-Jan Roelofs (Netherlands) – harpsichord, baroque organ/ Matthew Greco, Skye McIntosh – violins/ Laura Vaughan – viola da gamba, lirone.
The event includes musical talks from the artists about the programme, an orientation talk by the Delmar’s resident curator, Catherine Benz, on the gallery’s current exhibition and a wine-tasting experience to compliment the programme.
Delmar Gallery: Tickets: $30 Full/$20 Concession
Mosman performance: Tickets: $40 Full/$30 Concession
Event includes musical talks from the artists about the programme, an orientation talk by one of the gallery’s curators on the current exhibition, ‘Une Australienne – Hilde Rix Nicholas in Paris’ and a wine-tasting experience to compliment the programme.
