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