Part two of a very big week with Van Diemen’s Band in NSW: a reprise of SYMPHONIAE SACRAE featuring sublime music Schütz, Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Cavalli, Schop - and importantly two new works (supported by Create NSW) from Brooke Shelley and Alice Chance - and the launch of the TRANSFORMATIONS album. This is my debut solo album, and VDB have truly been the perfect partners in every way. I am exceedingly grateful and cannot wait to share this body of work with audiences in Sydney. That I get to share some of the core material from the album alongside dear friends and colleagues in Hannah Fraser, Louis Hurley, Eric Peterson, Amy Moore, Michelle Ryan, Thomas Wilson, and the Choir of St James, King Street, who also collaborate in this marvellous poly-choral program.

Wednesday 16 September, 7pm, St James’ King Street

From the Van Diemen’s Band Website

Revel in the uplifting sounds of massed voices and orchestra as Van Diemen's Band - replete with brass - six vocal soloists and the Choir of St James' showcase some of the most sublime repertoire ever written, alongside new works by Alice Chance and Brooke Shelley.

These sacred symphonies - a collection of vocal and instrumental works based on religious texts and designed to be performed in the church - follow a path from Venice to northern Germany during the tumultuous and heart-rending times of the Thirty Years War.

Featuring works by Gabrieli, Cavalli, Schütz and Schop, and selections from Monteverdi's Selva morale e spirituale, this stunning program explores how the Venetian musical tradition paved the way for the golden era of northern German Baroque composition - ultimately leading to JS Bach himself. 

Connecting this music to the present day, two extraordinary Australian composers have created contemporary responses to this baroque repertoire - Brooke Shelley's Et Versa Est Victoria and Alice Chance's Au Nord - works that reimagine and recontextualize this rich musical heritage.