What's on at the Independent?

Choir InFusion is a project put together by the unlikely partnership of QEII Music Scholar, Lisa Roberts-Scott and Adam Sofo, contemporary pianist for some of Australia's biggest pop and rock groups.

Choir InFusion aims to support the development of original compositions and arrangements, providing a platform for their performance

This is an evening of entertainment that is not to be missed.

A prize-winning ensemble, comprised of Melbourne based musicians - Antony Field (ex Saffire), Ben Dix, Jeremy Tottenham, and Peter Karutz. Formed in 2005 by graduates of the Victorian College of the Arts, the quartet won first prize in the VCA Athenaeum Chamber Music Competition and played to sell out audiences in tours of regional Victoria and NSW.

In July, the Actors' Forum bids welcome to one of the great constant successes of the English Stage. In this hugely 'pleasant' Shaw play, the author satirises our romantic ideas about war and marriage. Stiff and noble in their frightfully upper-class Balkans home, the Petkoffs await the return of their noble warrior men to plan the marriage of lovelorn Raina to heroic Sergus; but then Bluntschli, a Swiss mercenary who carries chocolates rather than bullets and won't put up with nonsense, takes refuge in Raina's bedroom. A compromising note is left in the pocket of an old housecoat. The romp procees...... This play replaces the Neil Simon play, I Ought to be in Pictures, which was originally scheduled for July.

The delightful Duo Sol is joined by vibrant percussionist Claire Edwards for a program of classical and contemporary works for the unusual combination of piano, violin and percussion. In the ten years since Duo Sol was awarded the prestigious Primo Trio di Trieste and Claire was named ABC Young Performer of the Year, the musicians have performed to great acclaim across Australia and around the world. They are renowned for their refreshing programming, technical virtuosity and insightful musicality. This Coffee Concert program showcases the musicians individuality in delightful works by two rarely-heard composers, then together in American composer Paul Dresher’s virtuosic, dance-inspired work.

"A cappella is sometimes thought of as being minimalist, but when you can sing and entertain like The Idea of North, a band would just get in the way" - James Morrison

The Idea of North are back at Sydney's beautiful Independent Theatre after recently returning from sell-out concerts in Germany. They appeared as special guest artists at some of Germany's finest a cappella fesitvals and were featured on the same bill as GRAMMY award winning artists Take 6 (USA) along with other internationally acclaimed groups.

Now back home in Sydney The Idea of North are in the studio producing a much-anticipated new album, this time in collboration with Australia's jazz icon, James Morrison!

Come and see this award winning group as they briefly step out of the studio for a night of sublime a cappella that is "... as near as dammit to vocal perfection." The Courier Mail

In September 1853, after meeting the young Brahms, Robert Schumann jotted a few words into his journal: ‘Visit from Brahms, a genius’. Thus began one of history’s great three-way friendships, between Brahms and the two younger Schumanns. In this recital, Seraphim Trio explores this legendary relationship, performing works from all three composers, alongside readings from their letters.

Nexus - 2MBS Virtuosi performs chamber music with great passion and intensity, its nucleus being a piano quartet.
Nexus Musicians have performed extensively as members of renowned chamber music groups including the Whiteley Trio, the Grainger Quartet, the Australian String Quartet, the Tankstream Quartet, the Nash Ensemble (UK), and the Shanghai Quartet (US).

Catherine McCorkill is one of Australia’s most versatile instrumentalists, performing frequently as a soloist and a chamber musician as well as appearing as a principal clarinet with most Australian orchestras. Bernadette Balkus’ wide-ranging repertoire and intense musical intelligence make her one of Australia’s most sought-after pianists. Catherine and Bernadette’s program explores the wonderfully diverse repertoire for clarinet and piano, including Brahm’s masterful late work and Weber’s virtuosic showpiece.

The Australian Singing Competition’s Semi-Finals Concert is the second stage of the prestigious Mathy Awards held for classical singers under the age of 26.
Ten singers selected from Heats held around Australia will this year be accompanied by internationally renowned pianist David Harper in a programme ranging from lieder & art songs to opera & oratorio.
The concert will be compered by Greg Lenthen, a long time supporter of the Competition.



Retired opera star Donald Shanks AO OBE, leading the panel of adjudicators, will announce several awards, including the Tinkler Encouragement Award, but the biggest ‘prize’ will be the opportunity for five singers to progress to the Finals where they will vie for valuable scholarships, cash prizes and the $30,000 Marianne Mathy Scholarship.

Australia’s most popular playwright is definitely at home in this comedic tilt at the idea of writing popular, money-making page turners, requires less skill than serious ‘elitist’ literature. When Melbourne Age book reviewer Danny O’Loughlin writes two scathing pieces on expatriate novelist Katie Best, she devises a plan of revenge worthy of a plot of one of her own novels. She sets up a situation that threatens the survival of Danny’s marriage to a woman who is an ardent fan of Katie’s. But revenge can backfire and truth can prove stranger than fiction.

Ukrainian-born guitarist Aleksandr Tsiboulski has won top prizes in eight international competitions, including the prestigious Tokyo International Guitar Competition (2006), the inaugural Australian Guitar Competition (2000) and the Gisbourne Instrumental Music Competition (2003).

His performances are widely praised for their emotional sensitivity, underpinned by a first-rate technique.

For its final recital in 2009, Seraphim Trio premieres a new, specially-commissioned set of variations on a waltz by Schubert, by eight of Australia’s leading composers. To conclude Schubertiade, or Schubert celebration, the trio is joined by Jacqui Cornin (viola) and David Campbell (bass) to perform Schubert’s beloved ‘Trout’ Quintet, recently voted Australia’s favourite chamber music piece by listeners of ABC Classic FM.

Be whisked away to Eastern Europe with this breathtaking repertoire from the Baltics. Let Symphony Australia conductor Rowan Harvey-Martin capture your imagination by leading the Symphony into a contrasting world of power and romance. Tchaikovsky’s presence throughout the program will allow your senses to be enriched whilst also basking in the talents of SIPCA pianist Alexy Yemtsov.

Be whisked away to Eastern Europe with this breathtaking repertoire from the Baltics. Let Symphony Australia conductor Rowan Harvey-Martin capture your imagination by leading the Symphony into a contrasting world of power and romance. Tchaikovsky’s presence throughout the program will allow your senses to be enriched whilst also basking in the talents of SIPCA pianist Alexy Yemtsov.

Playwright, novelist and screenwriter, Joanna Murray-Smith is one of this country’s acclaimed contemporary voices. Her play, Honor had a public reading in New York by Meryl Streep and Sam Waterston. In Love Child her vivid and distinctive style of dialogue brings into play every nuance if an extraordinary meeting between a woman who gave away her unwanted baby and one who comes looking for a mother. Both are unmasked in a dramatic confrontation of fact and desire, throwing into question conventional ideas of love and ties.

The Marais Project is at the forefront of presenting ancient and modern music for the viola da gamba.

Founded by Jennifer Eriksson to perform the complete works of 17th century viola da gamba master Marin Marais. To date the ensemble has performed 22 of his 36 suites. They also engage in unique collaborations with the likes of jazz master Kevin Hunt and world music legend, Mara!

New Work by Rosalind Page
Commissioned by Ars Musica Australis; music by Marais & consorts for baroque violin & viola da gambas.

The Navarra String Quartet came to international prominence when it won first prize at the 2005 Florence International Chamber Music Competition and second prize at the 2007 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. The Quartet now performs in major international venues and festivals including Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, London’s Wigmore Hall and the Verbier Festival in Switzerland. For its Coffee Concert debut, the Quartet is joined by leading pianist Alexander Boyd. The program features one of Haydn’s most graceful works and Dvorak’s much-loved Piano Quintet.

Nexus - 2MBS Virtuosi performs chamber music with great passion and intensity, its nucleus being a piano quartet.
Nexus Musicians have performed extensively as members of renowned chamber music groups including the Whiteley Trio, the Grainger Quartet, the Australian String Quartet, the Tankstream Quartet, the Nash Ensemble (UK), and the Shanghai Quartet (US).