Songmakers Australia presents a program of songs and piano music inspired by one extraordinary woman, Clara Schumann. Her husband Robert wrote his Heine Liederkreis op 24 as an engagement present, during his “wondrous year of song”, 1840.
Her friend Johannes Brahms was facing his own mortality when he composed his Four Serious songs, stricken by grief after her death in 1896, on texts collected from the Scriptures.
The poignant and whimsical Papillons op 2 is in itself a cycle, based on a short story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, one of Schumann's favourite writers.

Tickets available here

Songmakers Australia, presents a wonderful collection of French songs, duets and piano music, performed by Merlyn Quaife AM (soprano), Nicholas Dinopoulos (bass-baritone), and Andrea Katz (piano).

The year is 1863 and Emperor Napoleon III has decreed that all paintings rejected by the Salon’s judges can be exhibited in a nearby room “wishing to let the public judge the legitimacy of the artists’ complaints”. Thus was born the first Salon des Refusés and the seed of Impressionism was planted.

Using five famous paintings as focal points, this program explores French poetry and music inspired by them through songs by Debussy, Fauré, Duparc and duets by Chausson.

Looking to future generations of painters and composers, we pay tribute to Poulenc with a performance of his monumental song cycle Le Travail du peintre.

Tickets available here

Australia’s leading vocal chamber ensemble, Songmakers Australia, presents a wonderful collection of French songs, duets and piano music, inspired by life, love and death during ‘La Belle Époche’ in Paris (1880-1925).

The ensemble pays homage to Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) and Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947), two of the greatest song composers of the time, whose timeless musical significance is now unassailable.

Tickets available here

This performance in Primrose Potter Salon presents passionate works from Wagner and Berg. Love is the greatest inspiration for poetry and songs. ‘To the Angel who has lifted me so high’ – with those words Wagner dedicated his only song cycle to his muse, poetess and paramour, Mathilde Wesendonck.

Berg’s Seven Early Songs were also inspired by the love in his life, his wife Helene. Emotionally and musically attached to the great German Romantic style, it reflects Berg’s obsession with driving back to the beginning.

ARTISTS
Merlyn Quaife, soprano
Christina Wilson, mezzo-soprano
Andrea Katz, piano

PROGRAM

Richard Wagner
Wesendonck Lieder WWV 91

Alban Berg
Piano Sonata Op.1
Sieben frühe Lieder

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Presented by the Sydney Conservatorium Art Song Festival

Featuring three stunning cycles by Richard Mills, Luke Severn and Keith Humble, this performance represents Songmakers Australia vast influence and commitment in support of Australian Art Song.

More information here

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
During his years of exile, Wagner tried, unsuccessfully, to ‘make it’ in Paris.
His influence on composers was almost non-existent, but he gathered great support by other artists with similar aesthetic ideas about the correlation between words and music. Charles Baudelaire was a great admirer of Wagner and would have great influence on a later generations of composers who would embrace the greatness in a very French way.
For Baudelaire, Wagner’s work embodies “an awareness of the magical power of suggestion of music”, which replicated the musicality of many of his own poems in ‘Les Fleurs du Mal’ (The Flowers of Evil).

More information here

Presented by Art Song Canberra

Songmakers Australia presents a program of quartets by Schubert and Brahms, and a rarely performed extended version of Schumann’s ‘Spanisches Liederspiel’ including gems such as the breathtaking ‘Hoch, hoch sind die Berge’ and the cheeky ‘Der Contrabandist’.

Tickets available here

This performance in Primrose Potter Salon celebrates 200 years of Die schöne Müllerin (The Fair Maid of the Mill), a song cycle based on 20 poems written by Wilhem Müller.

‘I feel myself to be the most unhappy and wretched creature in the world. Imagine a man whose health will never be right again, and who in sheer despair over this ever makes things worse and worse, instead of better; imagine a man, I say, whose most brilliant hopes have perished, to whom the happiness of love and friendship have nothing to offer but pain… My peace is gone, my heart is sore, I shall find it never and nevermore… I may well sing now, for each night, on retiring to bed, I hope I may not wake again…’ With these poignant words Schubert described his state of mind after writing Die schöne Müllerin.

Tickets on sale here

The year is 1863 and the Emperor Napoleon III has decreed that all paintings rejected by the Salon’s judges can be exhibited in a nearby room “wishing to let the public judge the legitimacy of the artists’ complaints”. Thus was born the first Salon des Refusés and the seed of Impressionism was planted.

Using 5 famous paintings as focal points, this program explores French poetry and music inspired by them through songs by Debussy, Fauré, Duparc and duets by Chausson.

Looking to future generations of painters and composers, we pay tribute to Poulenc with a performance of his monumental song cycle 'Le Travail du peintre'.

Tickets on sale here

This performance in Primrose Potter Salon presents passionate works from Wagner and Berg. Love is the greatest inspiration for poetry and songs. ‘To the Angel who has lifted me so high’ – with those words Wagner dedicated his only song cycle to his muse, poetess and paramour, Mathilde Wesendonck.

Berg’s Seven Early Songs were also inspired by the love in his life, his wife Helene. Emotionally and musically attached to the great German Romantic style, it reflects Berg’s obsession with driving back to the beginning.

ARTISTS
Merlyn Quaife, soprano
Christina Wilson, mezzo-soprano
Andrea Katz, piano

PROGRAM

Richard Wagner
Wesendonck Lieder WWV 91

Alban Berg
Piano Sonata Op.1
Sieben frühe Lieder

Tickets on sale here

fortyfivedownstairs Music Series

Nostalgia: a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past. Artistic Director Andrea Katz goes back to her homeland Argentina in a soul searching voyage to the music that shaped her youth. Nicholas Dinopoulos sings songs and tangos by Gardel, Mores, Piazzolla and Ziegler threaded together with some of the most iconic Argentinian piano pieces.

Tickets on sale here

Music at McClelland

Nostalgia: a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past. Artistic Director Andrea Katz goes back to her homeland Argentina in a soul searching voyage to the music that shaped her youth. Nicholas Dinopoulos sings songs and tangos by Gardel, Mores, Piazzolla and Ziegler threaded together with some of the most iconic Argentinian piano pieces.

Tickets on sale here

Schubert's last song cycle was published after his untimely death at the age of 31. It comprises songs by Ludwig Rellstab, the only 6 Heine settings by Schubert and his very last song, Die Taubenpost, a fitting message of love to all of us.
Schubert’s intentions for the publication of these songs, including the order for their performance, is not clear. Hence, Songmakers conception for a cycle after Schubert’s earlier models – a journey there and back again, traversing an emotional gamut ranging from love hopeful and/or renewed, fearful foreboding to bitter disillusionment.

As part of our 10th anniversary celebration, this performance in the Primrose Potter Salon celebrates fearless soprano Merlyn Quaife’s life, career and unwavering love and support of Australian Art Song.

Featuring four stunning cycles by Johanna Selleck, Richard Mills, Luke Severn and Keith Humble, the performance represents aspects of her vast influence and commitment spanning three generations of composers.

Merlyn Quaife, soprano
Andrea Katz, piano

PROGRAM
Selleck: The prospect and bower of bliss
Mills: Here where death and life are met
Severn: 2 Goethe Songs
Humble: Cabaret Songs

Tickets on sale here

Nostalgia: a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past. Artistic Director Andrea Katz goes back to her homeland Argentina in a soul searching voyage to the music that shaped her youth. Nicholas Dinopoulos sings songs and tangos by Gardel, Mores, Piazzolla and Ziegler threaded together with some of the most iconic Argentinian piano pieces.

Ginastera Cuyana

Gardel y Lepera Mi Buenos Aires querido

Piazzolla y Ferrer Balada para un loco

Villoldo (arr. Bacalov) El choclo

Cobián y Cadícamo Nostalgias

Mores y Discépolo Uno

Piazzolla y Ferrer Oblivion

Piazzolla Tzigane Tango

Piazzolla y Ferrer Chiquilín de Bachín

Piazzolla y Ferrer Balada para mi muerte

Ziegler Sandunga

Ziegler y Balducci Rojotango

Nicholas Dinopoulos, bass-baritone

Andrea Katz, piano

Nostalgia: a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past. Artistic Director Andrea Katz goes back to her homeland Argentina in a soul searching voyage to the music that shaped her youth. Nicholas Dinopoulos sings songs and tangos by Gardel, Mores, Piazzolla and Ziegler threaded together with some of the most iconic Argentinian piano pieces.

Tickets on sale here

Leading vocal ensemble Songmakers Australia captivates with a garland of songs, dedications and serenades. The delightful collection of flower-inspired songs features duets and trios by great masters, including Robert Schumann’s romantic Mit Myrten und Rosen (With Myrtles & Roses), and English and Australian classics, such as Percy Grainger’s lovesick Willow, Willow. Dedicated to its fans and newcomers on the 10th anniversary of Songmakers’ debut, this enchanting concert is a perfect fit for the intimate beauty of the Primrose Potter Salon.

Merlyn Quaife, soprano
Christina Wilson, mezzo-soprano
Nicholas Dinopoulos, bass-baritone
Andrea Katz, piano

PROGRAM
Schumann: Mit Myrten und Rosen
Schumann: Du bist wie eine Blume
Schumann: Herbstlied
Schumann: Aus den oestlichen Rosen
Schumann: Die Lotosblume
Schumann: Ich bin dein Baum

Mendelssohn: Herbstlied
Mendelssohn: Maiglöckchen

Mozart: Due pupille amabili, K.439
Mozart: Mi lagnerò tacendo, K.437
Mozart: Più non si trovano, K.549

Linda Phillips: Plum tree
Roger Quilter: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal
Roger Quilter: Blossom Time

Alan Tregaskis: Vision
Benjamin Britten: The Salley Gardens
Percy Grainger: Willow, Willow

Massenet: Le poème des fleurs

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A beautiful collection of songs and duets by Brahms, Dvořák, Roger Quilter and Cole Porter in a special summer sunset program for a warm and beautiful Melbourne twilight.

Merlyn Quaife AM, soprano
Nicholas Dinopoulos, bass-baritone
Andrea Katz, piano

PROGRAM
Brahms: Spannung Op. 84 No. 5
Brahms: Feldeinsamkeit Op. 86 No. 2
Brahms: Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen Op. 32 No. 2
Brahms: Sapphische Ode Op. 94 No. 4
Brahms: Unbewegte laue Luft Op. 57 No. 8
Brahms: Die Mainacht Op. 43 No. 2
Brahms: Weg der Liebe Op. 20 No. 1

Dvořák: Four Moravian Duets from Op. 32

Porter: Love Song Medley
Wood: The Roses of Picardy
Quilter: Summer Sunset
Quilter: Windy Nights

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Festival favourites, the sensational Songmakers Australia, return to bring us a heart-warming exploration of great repertoire written for one of music’s most winning combinations – clarinet, soprano and piano. In the midst of German vocal and chamber music tradition, they present Francis Poulenc’s mellifluous clarinet sonata, as well as showcasing the beautiful work of prolific Australian composer Margaret Sutherland, before concluding with Franz Schubert’s much-loved Shepherd singing his song of longing for a distant sweetheart, consoled only by his dreams of a Springtime reunion.

ARTISTS
Merlyn Quaife AM, soprano
Andrea Katz, piano
David Griffiths, clarinet

PROGRAM
Spohr Six German Songs op 103
Poulenc Clarinet Sonata
Sutherland The Orange Tree
Schubert The Shepherd on the Rock

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Nick and Andrea revisit some of their favourite songs in this special
broadcast as part of the new Melbourne Digital Concert Hall series.

Quirky vignettes by Poulenc sit alongside some of the most heroic and beautiful Schumann settings of poems by Heinrich Heine.

The program also includes Franz Schubert’s final settings in the lieder genre and a selection of beloved English Art Songs.

Nicholas Dinopoulos - Bass-Baritone, Teaching Artist & Conductor
Andrea Katz, Pianist Down Under

PROGRAM
Benjamin Britten: The Salley Gardens
Roger Quilter: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal
Francis Poulenc: Le Bestiaire
Robert Schumann: Die beiden Grenadiere
Robert Schumann: Three Heine Settings (from Mythen, op. 25)
Franz Schubert: Six Heine Settings (from Schwanengesang, D. 957)
Franz Schubert: Die Taubenpost
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Silent Noon
Charles Villiers Stanford: Homeward Bound

Tickets on sale here

In a recital from the formidable Bass-baritone Nicholas Dinopoulos, accompanied on piano by the Artistic director of Songmakers Australia Andrea Katz, the duo returns to Healesville to perform a collection of "Schwanengesang" or "Swan songs" from poems by German poets (Rellstab, Heine, Seidl) set to music by Schubert; these are enhanced by several lied by local wunderkind composer & performer Alexander Owens using poems by Heinrich Heine (who provided material for Schubert). This Autumn concert will fasten upon the passionate 19thC Romantic era of "Sturm und Drang".

3MBS Fine Music Melbourne celebrates the 250th birthday of one of the world's most recognised and influential composers, Ludwig van Beethoven.

Concert 4 includes a selection of Scottish Songs op 108, performed by Artistic Director and pianist Andrea Katz, and 2019 Young Songmakers Development Program members, soprano Emilia Bertolini, tenor Alastair Cooper-Golec and baritone Stephen Coutts.

Tickets available here.

Fabulous British ensemble The Gesualdo Six meets Songmakers Australia on their very first tour Down Under

The ensembles will present some of their favourite repertoire individually, and join forces for performances of Brahms' Zigeunerlieder op. 103 and Calvin Bowman's Crossing the Bar.

PROGRAM
The Gesualdo Six:
Johannes Brahms Nachtwache Op. 104 # 1
Franz Schubert Die Nacht
Max Reger Nachtlied

Songmakers Australia:
W.A. Mozart 6 Notturni for 3 voices and piano

The Gesualdo Six & Songmakers Australia:
Calvin Bowman Crossing the Bar
                                     
~ Interval ~

The Gesualdo Six:
Owain Park Fantasia on English Children’s Songs

Songmakers Australia:
Antonin Dvorak Die Vöglein
Robert Schumann Ich bin dein Baum, o Gärtner
Felix Mendelssohn Herbstlied

The Gesualdo Six & Songmakers Australia:
Johannes Brahms Zigeunerlieder op 103

Melbourne Recital Centre - Local Heroes Series

Merlyn Quaife, soprano
Nicholas Dinopoulos, bass-baritone
Andrea Katz, piano

Let us take you on a guided tour of German, French, and Russian songs of the nineteenth century from the perspective of Mignon, Goethe's tragic heroin, one of the most beguiling and mysterious figures of modern literature.

Victorian Opera - 5 Fridays in August

Merlyn Quaife, soprano

Brenton Spiteri, tenor

Andrea Katz, piano

Soprano Merlyn Quaife AM and tenor Brenton Spiteri, together with pianist and Artistic Director Andrea Katz, explore the songs of opera composers Rossini, Dvorak, Puccini and Donizetti, together with less known repertoire by de Falla, Weill and Duparc, culminating with some Operetta gems by Lehar and Kalman.

Tickets on sale here.

Presented by Art Song Canberra

Merlyn Quaife, soprano

Christina Wilson, mezzo-soprano

Andrew Goodwin, tenor

Andrea Katz, piano

Nursery rhymes and lullabies are insightful windows into the parent-child relationship. Love and death, desires and fears are reflected in the lyrics, some of them allegoric, some outright confronting. Songs and duets by Tchaikovsky, Glinka, Mussorgsky and Kabalevsky frame the centrepiece of this program, Shostakovich’s most touching, unusual and melancholy song cycle From Jewish Folk Poetry, Op.79.

Melbourne Recital Centre - Local Heroes Series

Merlyn Quaife, soprano
Christina Wilson, mezzo-soprano
Brenton Spiteri, guest tenor
Nicholas Dinopoulos, bass-baritone
Andrea Katz, piano

Join us in the intimate setting of the Primrose Potter Salon for a feast of Mediterranean music and songs from France, Spain and Italy that will make your heart sing!