Welcome to All the Pleasures - Van Diemen's Band
Date
Friday 8th January, 7.00PM
Venue
St Patrick's Cathedral
Duration
60 minutes
What better way to open the Ballarat Organs & Fine Music Festival than with an invitation from Henry Purcell himself?
Australia’s Baroque supergroup, Van Diemen’s Band, brings its distinctive energy and virtuosity from Tasmania to launch the 2027 Festival with a sparkling celebration of Baroque music. At its heart is Purcell’s glorious Welcome to All the Pleasures, a work of irresistible energy and colour, written for St Cecilia’s Day and filled with jubilant voices, instruments and dance.
The programme also features the unmistakable splendour of Handel’s Water Music, whose brilliant fanfares and elegant dances have delighted audiences for centuries. Alongside this much-loved favourite comes the theatrical brilliance of Matthew Locke and more music by Purcell and Handel, from the sensual Music for a while and radiant Fairest Isle to the irresistible Chaconne from The Fairy Queen.
Four outstanding vocal soloists — soprano Myriam Arbouz, alto Alex Ritter, tenor Jacob Lawrence and bass-baritone Oliver Mann — join Van Diemen’s Band for a festive opening concert full of colour, drama and the sheer pleasure of Baroque music.
Tickets can be purchased for an Opening Night Supper after the concert or the Supper is included in both Gold and Weekend Passes.
Australia’s Baroque supergroup, Van Diemen’s Band, brings its distinctive energy and virtuosity from Tasmania to launch the 2027 Festival with a sparkling celebration of Baroque music. At its heart is Purcell’s glorious Welcome to All the Pleasures, a work of irresistible energy and colour, written for St Cecilia’s Day and filled with jubilant voices, instruments and dance.
The programme also features the unmistakable splendour of Handel’s Water Music, whose brilliant fanfares and elegant dances have delighted audiences for centuries. Alongside this much-loved favourite comes the theatrical brilliance of Matthew Locke and more music by Purcell and Handel, from the sensual Music for a while and radiant Fairest Isle to the irresistible Chaconne from The Fairy Queen.
Four outstanding vocal soloists — soprano Myriam Arbouz, alto Alex Ritter, tenor Jacob Lawrence and bass-baritone Oliver Mann — join Van Diemen’s Band for a festive opening concert full of colour, drama and the sheer pleasure of Baroque music.
Tickets can be purchased for an Opening Night Supper after the concert or the Supper is included in both Gold and Weekend Passes.
Artists
Van Diemen’s Band
Myriam Arbouz
Alex Ritter
Jacob Lawrence
Oliver Mann
