Sublime sounds come to Perth Concert Hall and Cathedral this year with a variety of top quality musical experiences from St George’s Cathedral Concert Series.
In 2023, the Cathedral joins once again with West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO); launches a new partnership with the Australian String Quartet (ASQ); and presents soul-stirring experiences by WA’s favourite artists.
Artistic Director Dr Joseph Nolan describes the 2023 season as continuing to maintain the Concert Series’ reputation for top quality music:
“We are doing what we always do, and that is to strive for the highest level of music making, free of gimmicks and politics. St George’s Cathedral Concert Series is purely about the beauty of music, serving the community of Perth and beyond.”
The series is clearly achieving this aim, as reflected in music reviewer Will Yeoman’s words from a 2022 article in Limelight:
“St George’s Cathedral Concert Series has, under Dr Joseph Nolan’s artistic direction, always felt like a fissure of frisson in the rock-face of banality. And it’s growing wider. That’s to say, regardless of whatever else is going on artistically in Perth, the series has, from year to year, offered … premiere performances …”
MOZART & HAYDN ~ IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WASO
The 2023 series begins at Easter as the Cathedral Consort joins with WASO and Australia’s top soloists to present two thrilling works by Mozart and Haydn, directed by Dr Joseph Nolan.
Mozart’s Great Mass is a revered masterpiece whose dark monumentality is unique in Mozart’s sacred vocal music, and whose unfinished nature has radiated an aura of mystery down the centuries. Haydn’s Nelson Mass is one of jubilation, with exuberant choral writing and vocal solos radiating hope and joy.
This will be the series’ highlight performance at Perth Concert Hall, featuring Australia’s cream of singers in Samantha Clarke, Fiona Campbell, Ashlyn Tymms, Paul McMahon, David Greco and St George’s Cathedral Consort.
WORLD-RENOWNED ORGANIST ~ JOSEPH NOLAN
In June, internationally acclaimed organist Joseph Nolan returns for another virtuosic performance on the king of instruments. Described as ‘one of the greatest organists of our time’ by ABC Radio National, Joseph has recently been signed as an exclusive artist with Mark Stephan Buhl Artists Management, based in Vienna, lifting his international profile even higher.
Joseph’s 2021 concert at St George’s Cathedral sold out early and prompted both a standing ovation and an encore, followed by fabulous reviews. Now he is back to present the Sir Francis Burt Memorial Concert with powerful pieces by Bach, Liszt and Widor.
THE DIVAS RETURN BY POPULAR DEMAND
Soprano Sara Macliver and mezzo Fiona Campbell share a connection that creates a magnetic energy, adding infectious joy to their performances. August sees their third Divas’ Delight soirée at St George’s Cathedral, and will once again be a delightful mixed repertoire of their favourite classical and cabaret songs.
As well as being two of Australia’s most sought-after singers, WA’s beloved divas also happen to be long-time friends. Sara and Fiona say their rapport makes them intuitive when singing together, and their sense of fun is irrepressible. Their last Divas’ Delight was a sell-out, and their 2023 midwinter concert in St George’s Cathedral promises to warm hearts once again.
WELCOME TO THE AUSTRALIAN STRING QUARTET
In November, the Concert Series welcomes a new partnership between the Cathedral and the superb Australian String Quartet.
In a compelling program, violinists Dale Barltrop and Francesca Hiew, violist Christopher Cartlidge and cellist Michael Dahlenburg, are joined by award-winning clarinettist Dr Ashley Smith for Mozart’s sublime Clarinet Quintet in A major. This radiant work is full of light and virtuosity, and remains one of the composer’s most celebrated works.
The program also includes the fugal sounds of Neapolitan baroque and the harmonies of mid 20th century London, with works by Alessandro Scarlatti and Benjamin Britten. This will be a very special evening of exquisite music wrapped in the Cathedral’s heavenly architecture.
