BY CUTCOMMON
Are you ready to start your year with live music?
In 2024, we rounded up some of the top events hitting the stages of Melbourne. We’re back again – and we’re getting in early so you can fill out your event calendar as early as Valentine’s Day.
We have five experiences to let you know about this time (and if you’re a fan of Baroque music, you’re in for a serious treat). So open up your scheduling app, or grab your diary and a pencil – it’s time to add some entries.
The Balanas Sisters
You don’t need Romantic-era music to feel the love on Valentine’s Day. In fact, all you need is to get yourself to the Primrose Potter Salon, and you’ll share in the spirit of connection and joy with fellow concertgoers. You’ll be there to see Kristine and Margarita Balanas performing at the venue for the very first time.
The Latvian musicians and sisters (pictured above) will play music from local Australian composer Anne Cawrse, whose Sanctuary is tastefully paired with mystical and meditative works from Ravel, Vasks, and Halvorsen.
14 February, Primrose Potter Salon
Bach Cello Suites – Part II
You’ll be coming to this concert with one of two impressions: excitement to attend the second part in the series – or regret that you missed the first. Luckily, you don’t need to have heard all the music to enjoy the sequel. You can simply rock up to this event, and sink into the music that everyone has been raving about for 300 years.
Three stand-out musicians will each play one of Bach’s Suites for Cello including Melbourne Symphony Orchestra cellist Rohan de Korte, Zoe Knighton of Flinders Quartet fame, and Rosanne Hunt who you’ve probably seen performing with one of Australia’s many top orchestras.
27 February, Primrose Potter Salon
La Compañia – Baroque Echoes
Let’s face it – it’s not often you get the chance to hear jigs from the Scottish Highlands in the middle of Melbourne.
But you do get to hear La Compañia: this in-demand group will perform at the Melbourne Recital Centre this March, and not for the first time. Celtic and English Baroque music will make its way to your heart, and guest soprano Jacqueline Porter will help it land there.
1 March, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
Paolo Pandolfo — Adieu Sweet Love — The Art of Melancholy
Have you heard a viola da gamba? Have you heard of a viola da gamba?
Paolo Pandolfo is an Italian expert on this unusual stringed instrument that looks a little bit like a small cello, and was far more popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods than it is today. And that makes it a rare find – so if you’re interested in the chance to hear sounds that would have been heard by people living 400 years ago, the time is now.
12 March, Primrose Potter Salon
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra’s first concert boasts an indulgent quantity of good music.
You’ll hear two symphonies – one from Mozart, and another from JC Bach (son of the famous JS). You’ll also hear two concertos – one for piano, another for violin. Works are led by German violinist-conductor Gottfried von der Goltz; Australian pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout will feature as a soloist.
Kristian returns for the second concert in which popular Australian soprano Siobhan Stagg will sing Mozart’s arias alongside a program featuring even more symphonies and concertos. These two weeknight concerts are going to be filled to the brim.
25 and 26 March, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
After more live music? Check out the full program of concerts happening at the Melbourne Recital Centre as the year begins.
Images supplied. FBO credit Valentin Behringer.
Have your say.