2009 Concert Programme
St Mark Passion - Richard Mills
Friday 17 April 7:30 pm
St John's Cathedral, Brisbane
The Queensland Orchestra
Conductor: Richard Mills
Sopranos: Amelia Ferrugia and Aivale Cole
Mezzo-soprano: Elizabeth Campbell
Tenor: Charlie Mellor
Bass: Harry Peeters
Choir: Canticum Chamber Choir
Presenter: Julian Day
Richard Mills has long been a major force in Australian music and this joint premiere of the co-commissioned St Mark Passion for the Tasmanian and West Australia Symphony Orchestras and The Queensland Orchestra is a major event. His compositions extend from operas to a rejuvenation of the ABC’s iconic news theme. A dramatic new direction for Mills, his St Mark Passion is modeled on the antiphonal choirs from St Mark’s, Venice – though it has more in common with Bach’s choral masterpieces. Blending operatic drama with soulful contemplation, it is attuned to the external world of contemporary problems; yet its message is timeless – the sublime and unfathomable incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ.
St John's Cathedral, Brisbane
The Queensland Orchestra
Conductor: Richard Mills
Sopranos: Amelia Ferrugia and Aivale Cole
Mezzo-soprano: Elizabeth Campbell
Tenor: Charlie Mellor
Bass: Harry Peeters
Choir: Canticum Chamber Choir
Presenter: Julian Day
Richard Mills has long been a major force in Australian music and this joint premiere of the co-commissioned St Mark Passion for the Tasmanian and West Australia Symphony Orchestras and The Queensland Orchestra is a major event. His compositions extend from operas to a rejuvenation of the ABC’s iconic news theme. A dramatic new direction for Mills, his St Mark Passion is modeled on the antiphonal choirs from St Mark’s, Venice – though it has more in common with Bach’s choral masterpieces. Blending operatic drama with soulful contemplation, it is attuned to the external world of contemporary problems; yet its message is timeless – the sublime and unfathomable incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ.
I Have A Dream
Sunday 6 September 3:00 pm
St Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point
Concert in conjunction with Music at St Mary's concert series.
Saturday 22 August 3:00 pm
Robert Channon Winery, Stanthorpe
Sunday 23 August 3:00 pm
St Luke’s Anglican Church, Toowoomba
The themes of peace, hope and triumph over adversity link the diverse works in this programme. You will hear music by renowned musical voices of our time, including Pärt, Copland, Howells, Mäntyjärvi and Tormis, works by lesser-known voices Tveit, Hemberg and Gjeilo and rising star Tarik O’Regan. Moved by significant world events and in honour of the 80th birthday year of the great peacemaker Martin Luther King, Music Director Emily Cox has created this programme to offer the powerful musical experience that Canticum audiences have come to expect.
St Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point
Concert in conjunction with Music at St Mary's concert series.
Saturday 22 August 3:00 pm
Robert Channon Winery, Stanthorpe
Sunday 23 August 3:00 pm
St Luke’s Anglican Church, Toowoomba
The themes of peace, hope and triumph over adversity link the diverse works in this programme. You will hear music by renowned musical voices of our time, including Pärt, Copland, Howells, Mäntyjärvi and Tormis, works by lesser-known voices Tveit, Hemberg and Gjeilo and rising star Tarik O’Regan. Moved by significant world events and in honour of the 80th birthday year of the great peacemaker Martin Luther King, Music Director Emily Cox has created this programme to offer the powerful musical experience that Canticum audiences have come to expect.
Battistelli's Miracle in Brisbane
Thursday 1 October - Saturday 3 October 7:30 pm
Judith Wright Centre of Performing Arts
Produced by Brisbane Festival 2009 www.brisbanefestival.com.au
Composer: Giorgio Battistelli
Conductor: Luca Pfaff
Director: Rhoda Roberts
Canticum Chamber Choir and the Queensland Orchestra, together with an outstanding cast of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, will bring to life the opera Miracle in Brisbane, a major production for the Brisbane Festival 2009. This opera, by the contemporary Italian composer Giorgio Battistelli, depicts the story of a group of homeless people whose shantytown on the margins of the city suddenly becomes valuable through the discovery of oil. Before the fringe dwellers can benefit from this windfall, people with powerful interests conspire to reap the profit.
Milan is the original setting for the opera Miracolo a Milano but Battistelli re-sets this production directly into modern day Australia by using a predominantly indigenous cast to explore themes of marginalisation and dispossession.
Miracle in Brisbane challenges the notion of opera: there is very little singing and the principal characters are mute. As Battestelli explains it: "the poor do not have a voice, nobody listens to them." But this does not mean vocal silence! The singers of Canticum will provide the sounds of protest and suffering with effects ranging from hand-rubbing and foot shuffling, through to murmurs, groans, and sighs. There is even the noise of improvised shelter being slapped together incorporated in Battistelli’s wonderful musical score.
This promises to be a thought provoking and challenging production - an event not to be missed.
Judith Wright Centre of Performing Arts
Produced by Brisbane Festival 2009 www.brisbanefestival.com.au
Composer: Giorgio Battistelli
Conductor: Luca Pfaff
Director: Rhoda Roberts
Canticum Chamber Choir and the Queensland Orchestra, together with an outstanding cast of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, will bring to life the opera Miracle in Brisbane, a major production for the Brisbane Festival 2009. This opera, by the contemporary Italian composer Giorgio Battistelli, depicts the story of a group of homeless people whose shantytown on the margins of the city suddenly becomes valuable through the discovery of oil. Before the fringe dwellers can benefit from this windfall, people with powerful interests conspire to reap the profit.
Milan is the original setting for the opera Miracolo a Milano but Battistelli re-sets this production directly into modern day Australia by using a predominantly indigenous cast to explore themes of marginalisation and dispossession.
Miracle in Brisbane challenges the notion of opera: there is very little singing and the principal characters are mute. As Battestelli explains it: "the poor do not have a voice, nobody listens to them." But this does not mean vocal silence! The singers of Canticum will provide the sounds of protest and suffering with effects ranging from hand-rubbing and foot shuffling, through to murmurs, groans, and sighs. There is even the noise of improvised shelter being slapped together incorporated in Battistelli’s wonderful musical score.
This promises to be a thought provoking and challenging production - an event not to be missed.
Haydn's Creation
Thursday 19 November 11:00 am
Brisbane City Hall
The Queensland Orchestra
Saturday 21 November 7:00 pm
QPAC Concert Hall
The Queensland Orchestra
Conductor: Johannes Fritzsch
Soprano: Taryn Fiebig
Tenor: David Hamilton
Bass: Stephen Bennett
Choir: Canticum Chamber Choir
Few other major composers succeeded in combining high spirits with deep spirituality, elegance with power and touching simplicity with majesty as did Josef Haydn, whose geniality was surpassed only by his humility. In this, the bicentenary of his death, The Queensland Orchestra and Canticum Chamber Choir present his oratorio The Creation. Written in the grand tradition of Handel, but with Haydn’s own inimitable voice, it is one of the inspired masterpieces composed in his old age. Experience the thrill of stirring choruses and three magnificent Haydn singers.
Brisbane City Hall
The Queensland Orchestra
Saturday 21 November 7:00 pm
QPAC Concert Hall
The Queensland Orchestra
Conductor: Johannes Fritzsch
Soprano: Taryn Fiebig
Tenor: David Hamilton
Bass: Stephen Bennett
Choir: Canticum Chamber Choir
Few other major composers succeeded in combining high spirits with deep spirituality, elegance with power and touching simplicity with majesty as did Josef Haydn, whose geniality was surpassed only by his humility. In this, the bicentenary of his death, The Queensland Orchestra and Canticum Chamber Choir present his oratorio The Creation. Written in the grand tradition of Handel, but with Haydn’s own inimitable voice, it is one of the inspired masterpieces composed in his old age. Experience the thrill of stirring choruses and three magnificent Haydn singers.
Sing Noel
Sunday 13 December 4:00 pm
St Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point
Our Christmas tradition continues! In collaboration with Music @ St Mary’s, Canticum brings back its much-loved Christmas concert and picnic, followed by a moving Service of Lessons and Carols. Canticum is delighted to welcome associate artist organist Christopher Wrench for this special occasion. The concert features the glorious Christmas Oratorio by a young Camille Saint-Saens. Full of gentleness and joy, this work will be enhanced by the historical ambience of St Mary’s.
Bring your own picnic to enjoy with friends and family on St Mary’s renowned lawns with stunning views over Brisbane. Then return to the church at 6:00 pm for the FREE Service of Lessons and Carols, giving you the chance to sing heartily and reflect on the coming of Christmas.
St Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point
Our Christmas tradition continues! In collaboration with Music @ St Mary’s, Canticum brings back its much-loved Christmas concert and picnic, followed by a moving Service of Lessons and Carols. Canticum is delighted to welcome associate artist organist Christopher Wrench for this special occasion. The concert features the glorious Christmas Oratorio by a young Camille Saint-Saens. Full of gentleness and joy, this work will be enhanced by the historical ambience of St Mary’s.
Bring your own picnic to enjoy with friends and family on St Mary’s renowned lawns with stunning views over Brisbane. Then return to the church at 6:00 pm for the FREE Service of Lessons and Carols, giving you the chance to sing heartily and reflect on the coming of Christmas.