Canowindra is the place to be next weekend if you are a lover of baroque music.
There is a global revival of interest in this fabulous genre of European music from 17th and 18th century Europe and England, and five superb musician groups and songsters will be filling the cafes, Wallington and Rosnay wineries and All Saints Church of Canowindra with music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Telemann, Monteverdi, Purcell, Byrd, Tavener, Mendelessohn, Pachelbel, Corelli and others.
The official opening by Baroquefest’s glamorous patron, former ABC Classic FM radio presenter Marian Arnold, coincides with the Canowindra Arts exhibition opening at Montrose House at 5pm on Friday 13th October. The opening concert at 7:30pm at All Saints will be by the Song Company from Sydney, Australia’s leading acapella group.
Saturday afternoon will see the Blue Mountains- based Academy Singers directed by Dr Paul Terracini with pianist Jane Andino playing All Saints’ historic concert grand piano, built in 1956 for Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s famous director Isador Goodman.
On Saturday evening virtuoso baroque violinist Rachael Beesley will play Inspirations of JS Bach, Invisible Dances, interspersed with solo works by Australian composers for the violin.
Sunday lunch at Wallington Winery will have the Canberra-based Limestone Consort. Violins, cello and harpsichord will explore the trio sonata. Sunday evening dinner at Rosnay has Sydney’s Muffat Collective with harpsichord and baroque violins playing baroque sonatas. Baroquefest’s artistic director violinist Andrew Baker from Orange will play with both of these wonderful ensembles on Sunday.
In addition 150 students from the region attend special education sessions at All Saints, conducted by Rachael Beesley, one of Australia’s most accomplished violinists.
Ticket packages with various inclusions and individual concert tickets can be purchased on-line at www.baroquefest.org. au. Email baroquefest@gmail.com or ring 0429 443 215 for further information.