
FEBRUARY

If Music Be The Food Of Love
Sunday 5 June
2:00pm, McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery
Narre Warren, Vic
Tickets: HERE
Be enchanted by Evergreen Ensemble’s new program of ancient Irish airs and celebrated baroque works by Henry Purcell. Irish Gaelic songs and dance sets by Ireland’s famous harpist, Turlough O’Carolan, are interspersed by Handel sonatas and Purcell’s most well-known songs, including ‘If Music Be the Food of Love’ and ‘Come Ye Sons of Art’. The program features some of the finest names in Australia’s early music scene: Claire Patti (soprano, Celtic harpist), Nicholas Pollock (theorbo), Ryan Williams (recorders), and Shane Lestideau (violin, viola d’amore).
Evergreen Ensemble is known for its ability to bridge the gap between folk music and baroque music, performing virtuosic compositions from the past as well as its own colourful arrangements. The ensemble specialises in the music of 18thC Scotland and released two albums for ABC Classics in 2019 exploring early Scottish-Australian music manuscripts and collections. It tours regionally and interstate on a regular basis and has collaborated with nearly a dozen international soloists.
Voice & Celtic harp: Claire Patti
Baroque violin: Shane Lestideau
Recorders: Ryan Williams
Theorbo & Baroque Guitar: Samantha Cohen

The Baillie Fantasias
Fri 30 Sep
Mungo Park, Newlyn, Vic. Tickets: HERE
Sat 1 Oct
Clunes, Vic. Tickets: Coming
Sun 2 Oct
Geelong, Vic. Tickets: HERE
Mon 3 Oct
Melbourne Recital Centre
Primrose Potter Salon, 6pm
Tickets: HERE
Come and discover the Romantic Scottish music of the Baillie family of violinists.
Together with the inimitable Donald Nicolson, this performance in Primrose Potter Salon will showcase the Scottish music of the Baillie violinists, works that are as peaty as they are virtuosic. Beginning with the trademark Baillie Fantasias and Scotch Selections for violin and piano, two charming 19th century compositions punctuated by dazzling cadenzas, harmonics, double-stopping and dance sets.
Finishing with a series of spine-tingling Scotch fiddle solos and Robert Ballantyne Baillie’s favourite encore from the period he spent as a soloist in Rockhampton, Schubert’s L’Abeille. Shane Lestideau will perform this program on Robert Ballantyne Baillie’s own violin – a Carl Schneider model from 1777.
An evening of dramatic flourishes and virtuosity not to be missed.
Shane Lestideau: Violin (Baillie's own instrument)
Donald Nicolson: Piano