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October 2009 Issue
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Early music month for players

 Music

Music students and graduates are helping Adelaide's newest orchestra - and the only chamber orchestra in town - to go from strength to strength.

Adelaide Chamber Players was founded in 2007 by University of Adelaide Music Honours graduate and violist Heather Lloyd.

The chamber orchestra consists of Adelaide's finest young musicians from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the city's best chamber ensembles, as well as many students and graduates of the Elder Conservatorium of Music.

The players all share a passion for music-making and for communicating the invigorating and exciting music that has been written for chamber orchestra over the centuries.

Since its inception, Adelaide Chamber Players has performed Vivaldi's Four Seasons with Adelaide graduate and Young South Australian of the year, violinist Niki Vasilakis, and has been invited to perform in Adelaide Festival Centre's Sunday Spectrum series and for the Adelaide International Cello Festival's Boccherini Concerto Marathon.

In 2009, Adelaide Chamber Players launched its first season of concerts: two in Elder Hall (including an Elder Hall lunch hour concert at the end of August) and two in St Peter's Cathedral.

Joining the orchestra as guest performers are some of Australia's finest musicians, including the eastern states-based early music ensemble, Ironwood, the leader of the Australian String Quartet, Sophie Rowell, and Handel aficionado and music educator Graham Abbott.

October sees the orchestra performing two contrasting programs of music from the Baroque era, under the direction of Graham Abbott and with rising stars Greta Bradman (soprano) and Robert Macfarlane (tenor). Greta and Robert are two of the Elder Conservatorium's most promising singing graduates - and two of Adelaide's favourite young singers.

Graham Abbott has the special touch when it comes to Handel, his favourite composer. The first concert, on Saturday 3 October, features Handel rarities - including a performance of a cantata for soprano and tenor, Cecilia, Volgi un Sguardo. The stunning baroque strings will be led by Lucinda Moon, formerly concertmaster of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra in Sydney.

Lucinda Moon returns for the second of the Baroque concerts on Sunday 25 October, to direct and perform in a programme of 17th century Baroque gems, by the likes of Muffat, Becker and Fischer. For this program, the orchestra will be joined by interstate Baroque supremos Laura Vaughan (viola da gamba) and Tommie Andersson (lute and other plucked instruments).

The quality of the orchestra and these programs will excite audiences, with those who love Baroque music in for a real treat. St Peter's Cathedral has gone so far as to rename October "Baroquetober" in honour of this feast of early music.

Adelaide Chamber Players perform at St Peter's Cathedral on Saturday 3 October, 7.30pm and Sunday 25 October, 3.00pm.

Tickets $30 or $20 concession, or $50/$30 for both concerts when you quote "Cathedral Offer" (booking fees apply). Book at BASS: 131 246.

For more information, visit www.adelaidechamberplayers.com.au or www.stpeters-cathedral.org

Story by Edward Joyner, Concert Manager, St Peter's Cathedral

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Adelaide Chamber Players
Photo by Jacqui Way

Adelaide Chamber Players
Photo by Jacqui Way

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