Eve to tempt concert goers

Music

A mix of international performers and high-quality local talent will be on display when the popular Elder Hall Lunch Hour Concert Series returns to the University of Adelaide this month.

The lunch hour concerts, held every Friday during semester, feature an eclectic mix of chamber music, orchestral repertoire, recitals and jazz.

The first concert of the 2005 program features the internationally acclaimed Australian String Quartet (ASQ), quartet in residence at the University of Adelaide's Elder School of Music.

To be held on Friday, March 4 in Elder Hall at 1.10pm, the opening concert features five internationally acclaimed musicians; the ASQ will be joined by Melbourne-based pianist Benjamin Martin to perform Schumann's much-loved Piano Quintet Op.44.

Ensembles making their debut in the series include Caliente, Eve Vocal Trio and the Southern Cross Soloists. In addition there will be performances by the Elder School of Music's major orchestral ensembles and many of its staff and students.

Caliente specialise in Brazilian music and for their concert on March 11 they will perform contemporary and traditional songs and choros. The ensemble is flamboyant and colourful, and uses an extensive range of percussion.

Eve Vocal Trio features three outstanding singers who are all graduates of the Elder School of Music. For their concert on April 15 three musicians from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will join them. Their program includes some stunning new compositions by leading Adelaide composers.

Southern Cross Soloists are ensemble in residence at the Queensland Conservatorium, where its members also teach. Led by Paul Dean, one of Australia's leading clarinettists, the program features familiar repertoire which has been arranged to specifically suit the unusual instrumentation of the ensemble.

Other highlights include a performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto with Natsuko Yoshimoto (leader of the ASQ) as soloist with the Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra on June 3 and a performance of Peteris Vasks's Violin Concerto with Margaret Blades (leader of the ASO) as soloist with the Elder Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra on June 17.

The concerts will be held in Elder Hall every Friday at 1.10pm from March 4 until June 17. Admission is $5 and tickets are available at the door from 12.30pm on the day of each concert.

Special subscription passes are also available for $60. For more information or to obtain a detailed brochure contact the Concert Office on (08) 8303 5925.

For full program details visit: www.music.adelaide.edu.au

Story by Alison Beare & Ben Osborne