Program

ANON. Toccata (Chigi MS) Anon/Dufay Ave Maris Stella (15th Century) 

HILDEGARD OF BINGEN (12th Century) - O viridissima virga 

TRADITIONAL IRISH (15th or 16th Century) arr. R. Meyers - Wexford Carol/I Saw Three Ships

TRADITIONAL/PRAETORIUS (15th Century) - Es ist ein’ Ros’ Entsprungen

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH (16th Century) arr. Q. Thomson - Coventry Carol

T. ARBEAU (1589) arr. D. Nicolson - Bransle de l’Officiel

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH (15th Century) - Hayl Mary full of Grace

TRADITIONAL WELSH (16th century) - Deck the Halls

F. GRUBER  (1818) - Stille Nacht

J. F. WADE (1751) - O Come all ye faithful

About the Artists

QUIN THOMSON

Quin (formerly Helen) Thomson (they / them) is a composer, classically trained soprano, multi-instrumentalist, improviser, live sound designer, musical director, and advocate through making. Their compositions have featured in the Festival of Voices, Qtas Choir’s Queer Narratives: Story to Song, Sequenza Ensemble’s Birdsong cycle, performances by the TYO Chorale and Percussion ensemble, and a piece written for Canberra’s Oriana Chorale as part of the Text/ure project; their concert-length oratorio A Tasmanian Requiem premiered in 2018 to extraordinary critical acclaim. 

Their international performing career encompasses appearances with Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir, the Netherlands Bach Society, the Egidius College, the Song Company, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Van Diemen’s Band and Ludovico’s Band. 

VAN DIEMEN'S BAND

Founded in 2016 by violinist Julia Fredersdorff, Van Diemen’s Band (VDB) delivers extraordinary performances across lutruwita/Tasmania as well as online. Varying in size from an intimate chamber group to a larger orchestra, VDB explores the creativity and expressiveness of the Baroque while also performing new works on original instruments.

Always seeking to break new ground, VDB has collaborated with artists such as French Baroque specialist Martin Gester, Persian/Afghani musicians Ensemble Kaboul and Tasmanian mandolinist Luke Plumb. VDB has performed for Ten Days on the Island, Dark Mofo and Mona Foma, toured nationally for Musica Viva Australia and internationally for Chamber Music New Zealand, and recorded for ABC Classic and the prestigious Swedish label BIS.

VDB is also an active concert presenter in lutruwita/ Tasmania, presenting Lunchbox Concerts in nipaluna/Hobart, Launceston and pataway/Burnie, and delivers a range of education and community programs each year.

For this performance, Van Diemen's Band features:

Julia Fredersdorff, Artistic Director & Baroque violin

Natalya Bing & Susie Furphy, violins

Rachel Meyers, viola

Laura Vaughan, viola da gamba

Hannah Lane, triple harp

Sim Walters, dulcian

Quin Thomson, vocals

VAN DIEMEN'S VOICES

Formed in 2024, Van Diemen's Voices comprises vocalists and instrumentalists wanting to enhance their early music practice by exploring the intersection of the human voice (phrasing, articulation, affect) with Baroque style and technique, by exploring the rich array of works for vocal ensemble.

For this performance, Van Diemen's Voices will feature:

Matthew Anning, Carmen Burnet, Alethea Coombe, Julia Fredersdorff, Joseph Freeman, Susie Furphy, Sophie Greenlees, Rachel Meyers, Anne Morgan, Charlie Parr, Veronika Vincze, Jess Wright