Experience timeless pieces including the Queensland Conservatorium’s Puccini Double bill, and Handel's House a vocal masterpiece featuring Yukie Sato. Discover contemporary compositions such as Ngapa William Cooper, Interstellar with Roger Sayer, and Spirit of the Wild: A Vision of Nature. Enjoy a day out at Voices of Victoria Park, a free concert that showcases classical music performances set in one of the city’s most picturesque green spaces. These immersive and inspiring experiences are suitable for classical music enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The musicians featuring in these performances are experts in their fields with deep knowledge and expansive experience. Similarly, Brisbane Festival sponsor Gadens provide expertise in their legal services across an extensive number of market segments and industry specialisations. Enjoy the results of hard-work and dedication at these classical showcases.
Brisbane Festival offers a rich program of classical music, featuring performances by world-class orchestras, ensembles, and soloists.
4 – 5 Sep
Eucalyptus – The Opera
Jonathan Mills’ new opera is based on the Miles Franklin Award-winning novel Eucalyptus, by Murray Bail. Renowned Australian playwright Michael Gow directs this co-production for Victorian Opera, Opera Australia and the Perth and Brisbane Festivals, with designs by Simone Romaniuk. Desiree Frahn and Simon Meadows create the roles of Ellen and Holland, conducted by Tahu Matheson.
13 – 14 Sep
Spirit of the Wild: A Vision of Nature
Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici, bring you a musical response to climate change featuring two major works, Nigel Westlake: Spirit of the Wild for solo oboe (Diana Doherty) and John Luther Adams: Become Ocean for large orchestra.
Adams’ Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning visceral work Become Ocean does more than evoke the pull of the tides, it invites you to become one with the sea itself – to remember life’s humble beginnings on our water-based planet and ponder a future in which we return to its depths. Equally as evocative is Nigel Westlake’s Spirit of the Wild, brought to life by Australian oboe royalty Diana Doherty.
Sun 8 Sep
Voices of Victoria Park
Whether you're a lifelong classical music aficionado or new to the genre, Voices of Victoria Park offers a captivating experience, showcasing local talent against the backdrop of one of the city's most picturesque green spaces.
Our line-up features all-abilities choir the House of Soul Singers performing original songs composed by its members, alongside the renowned Brisbane Excelsior Band, known as Brisbane’s premier marching brass band.
Enjoy the harmonious sounds of The Crunchy Chickpea Salad Quartet, a saxophone quartet presented by Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium, and the captivating quartet Angel Strings. Headlined by the dynamic and powerful voice of coloratura soprano, Katie Stenzel, immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of Canticum Chamber Choir, one of Australia’s leading chamber choirs.
Sat 7 Sep
Camerata, Lou Bennett & Lior: Ngapa William Cooper
o Don’t miss this Queensland premiere of the chamber orchestra arrangement of Lior, Nigel Westlake and Lou Bennett’s moving song cycle Ngapa William Cooper, exploring the extraordinarily powerful story of Yorta Yorta man, Uncle William Cooper. In this very special, completely unconducted performance, Camerata — Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and Lior once again join forces, this time with Lou Bennett, for this moving and heartfelt performance.
Ngapa William Cooper was born out of a rich collaboration between composer Nigel Westlake, singer-songwriter Lior, and performer and academic Dr Lou Bennett AM. This collaboration has resulted in a momentous orchestral work. In performance’s first half, audiences will also be treated to a selection of Lior and Lou’s beautiful songs especially arranged for string orchestra.
3 – 7 Sep
Puccini Double Bill
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of one of the world's most celebrated opera composers, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University presents two of Puccini’s One Act Operas. Suor Angelica is a tragic tale of repentance within an Italian convent. This heartbreaking opera will be paired with Puccini’s only comedy, Gianni Schicchi in which love, lies and treachery take place around a family funeral.
Two stunning tales performed back-to-back. Conducted by the Conservatorium’s Professor of Opera and Orchestral Studies, Johannes Fritzsch, and directed by the acclaimed Lindy Hume, this is one double bill that is not to be missed.
Fri 20 Sep
Chamber Music Side-by-Side
Experience a delightful musical collaboration as students from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University join forces with the world-renowned LA Philharmonic Wind Quintet.
This unique concert celebrates the beauty and intimacy of chamber music, showcasing the exceptional talent of these young musicians alongside the seasoned expertise of the LA Philharmonic members.
Join Andrew Bain on horn, Whitney Crockett on bassoon, Boris Allakhverdyan on clarinet, Denis Bouriakov on flute, and Marc Lachat on oboe, along with the faculty and students of the Queensland Conservatorium for a performance that promises to be both joyous and inspiring.
Tue 10 Sep
Handel’s House
Experience the magnetic allure of Yukie Sato as she transforms Handel's House into her own with her radiant soprano alongside The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.
Making her highly anticipated Australian debut, this Japanese-born, Swiss-educated soprano delivers a George Frideric Handel experience with uncompromising clarity. Sato’s voice holds audiences in the palm of her hand, cracks open hearts, and lovingly reassembling them. Revel in her technical prowess and natural charisma, perfectly befitting Handel's Germanic approach to Italian style.
Gadens is a proud sponsor of Brisbane Festival.
