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The Adelaide International Cello Festival will run from 11-20 April. Photo by Randy Larcombe. Full Image (49.03K)

Tuesday, 1 April 2008

For 10 days in April, the University of Adelaide's Elder Hall will become the hub for Australia's first international cello festival.

Hosted by the University's Elder Conservatorium of Music and supported by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, the Adelaide International Cello Festival (11-20 April) features a wide range of events aimed at giving the public a better understanding of and appreciation for the cello.

Among the festival's wealth of live music is the special Cellos at Lunch mini concert series in Elder Hall.

Every weekday in Elder Hall between 11-18 April at 1.10pm, the Elder Conservatorium will present hour-long concerts featuring artists such as:

• Lu Bing Xia and Wu Dai Dai from Singapore;
  
• Nicholas Altstaedt from Germany;
  
• Frenchman Michel Strauss;
  
• Natalie Clein from England;
  
• Chinese/Australian Li-Wei; and
  
• Adelaide's very own rising global stars, Pei-Jee and Pei-Sian Ng.

Staff and students of the Elder Conservatorium are an integral part of the lunch hour recitals, which feature pianists David Lockett, Rodney Smith, Lucinda Collins, Diana Weekes and the Elder Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra, as well as guest pianist Caroline Almonte.

Claire Oremland, Elder Hall Concert Manager, says the International Cello Festival is a perfect opportunity for music lovers to engage with music and the music-making process.

"Back-to-back activities will thrill audiences morning, noon and night as internationally renowned musicians feature in recitals, chamber music, concertos, masterclasses, forums and much, much more," Ms Oremland says.

"Concert programs will be a veritable feast, ranging from the great and much-loved classics of the cello repertoire through to modern and innovative works. This includes two Australian premieres as well as Crouching Tiger - Tan Dun's concerto for cello and chamber orchestra, known to most from the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Weekend events will include Adelaide's Pei-Jee and Pei-Sian Ng presenting Cello Duoissimo at Elder Hall on Sunday 13 April at 3pm.

Other highlights at Elder Hall include a daily Twilight Series of concerts, with many local and international guest artists including the Australian String Quartet.

An Evening Series of four concerts at Elder Hall will feature:

• Li-Wei in Tribute to Rostropovich (12 April);
  
• stunning Latvian cellist Marta Sudraba in the Gala Concert (14 April);
  
• Natalie Clein performing one of the most loved of all concertos, the Elgar Cello Concerto (16 April); and
  
• world-renowned cellist Ralph Kirshbaum, who will be joined by pianist Kathy Selby (17 April).

The final Cello Extravaganza in Elder Hall on Saturday 19 April will feature Le-Wei performing on a newly made cello - to be made as part of the Cello Challenge being held at the Migration Museum - as well as a massed cello ensemble.

WHAT: Cellos at Lunch and other Adelaide International Cello Festival sessions
WHERE: Elder Hall, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide
WHEN: Cellos at Lunch: every weekday 11-18 April, 1.10pm
Other sessions: 11-19 April. Check Cello Festival Guide for details.
COST: Cellos at Lunch: $6, tickets available at the door from 12.30pm.
Special subscription passes are also available - for more information contact the Concert Office on (08) 8303 5925.
Other sessions: check Festival Guide for details.

For Cellos at Lunch program details, visit the Elder Conservatorium website:
www.music.adelaide.edu.au/events

For more information about the Adelaide International Cello Festival, visit the website:
www.adelaidecellofestival.com.au