Ambassador thoughts

Bach’s Christmas Oratorio a truly festive, world-class afternoon of music making

Sydney Philharmonia Chamber Singers | Bach’s Christmas Oratorio 13 December 2025, Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, NSW Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ presentation of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (Parts IV–VI) – a six-part sequence of cantatas that unfolds the Christmas story through reflection rather than drama – thoughtfully interwoven with two new Australian works commissioned through SPC’s inaugural Emerging Composer Awards, was a

Pepe Newton December 14, 2025

Ambassador thoughts

A packed house for WSO’s stimulating Ode to Joy

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra | Ode to Joy 2 September, 2025 | The Concourse, Chatswood, NSW No musical event has attracted so much attention and literature as the first performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in Vienna in May of 1824. He started its composition two years earlier, although he used ideas from his own Choral Fantasia while the theme for his

Tony Burke August 4, 2025

Ambassador thoughts

Royal Philharmonic produces ‘epic’ performance of Haydn’s Creation

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir | Haydn’s Creation June 14, 2025, St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, VIC In the middle of Haydn’s Creation the Archangel Raphael announces that ‘God saw ev’ry thing He had made, and, behold it was good,’ a sentiment that is amplified grandly by the entire choir and orchestra. And certainly, everything in the Royal Philharmonic epic performance of

Daniel Brace June 16, 2025

Bach Akademie Australia at SYD FEST 24, a truly impeccable lineup

Bach Akademie Australia | JS Bach: A Life in Music 23 January, 2024, ACO Pier2/3 Sydney Bach Akademie Australia Director Madeleine Easton Susannah Lawergren – soprano Hannah Fraser – alto Richard Butler – tenor Christopher Richardson – bass PROGRAM JS Bach Cantata BWV 106 ‘Actus Tragicus’ Brandenburg Concerto no.5 in D major BWV 1050 Motet ‘Lobet den Herrn’ BWV 230

Alan Holley January 26, 2024

Ambassador thoughts

Great Praise for Samson

Sydney Philharmonia Choir and Orchestra: Handel’s Samson Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Easter Saturday 2023 Samson was composed hot on the heels of Handel’s success with The Messiah and shows him at the height of his powers. It debuted at Covent Garden in London in 1743 and was so popular there where 8 performances. Samson along with Handel’s other oratorios and Bach’s

Daniel Kaan April 9, 2023

Ambassador thoughts

Christ Church St Laurence’s Passion shows superlative artistry

The Muffat Collective & Choir of Christ Church St Laurence | St John Passion Wednesday 6th April 2022 – Australian Digital Concert Hall Conductor – Sam Allchurch It is a rare treat in Australia to hear Bach’s St John Passion on period instruments, available to watch via delayed broadcast from the Australian Digital Concert Hall in a performance by the

Jane Downer April 7, 2022

Ambassador thoughts

The Song Company’s everlasting joy

The Song Company | Ein Deutsches Requiem February 19, 2022, City Recital Hall, Sydney The Song Company’s first MainStage performance of the year was a remarkable and moving event. It was remarkable in that it featured the new concept of The Song Co Apprentices, mentored by the brilliant members of The Song Company, who formed the core of the choir

Heidi Hereth February 23, 2022

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