Presented by Theatre North and Van Diemen's Band
VDB's hugely popular Lunchbox Concert Series comes to Launceston in 2024.
Curated by VDB’s artistic director, Julia Fredersdorff, our immensely popular lunchtime concert series debuts in Launceston.
Escape the hustle and bustle and step into an oasis of calm listening to beautiful music in a casual and welcoming setting, with an eclectic program of music spanning a rich variety of genres and styles - all for the price of a sandwich!
CONCERT #1: WEDNESDAY 5 JUNE - LUKE PLUMB & JAMES CRABB
Experience the virtuosic wizardry of two absolute masters of their craft - Tasmanian mandolinist Luke Plumb and Scottish-born, Australian-based James Crabb (piano accordion) - lighting up the stage with a stunning mix of folk, world and mando-pop!
CONCERT #2: WEDNESDAY 12 JUNE - QUERCUS TRIO
A piano trio with a difference! Combining French horn, violin and piano, Melbourne’s Quercus Trio joyfully explore the extensive palette of colours and musical possibilities of their unusual lineup of instruments with a program of Elena Kats-Chernin, Larry Sitsky and Peter Sculthorpe.
CONCERT #3: WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE - MINI VAN DIEMEN'S BAND
A pocket-sized version of VDB performs a tempting selection of Baroque favourites. Guest violinist Lucinda Moon is joined by Katie Yap (viola), Donald Nicolson (on VDB’s fabulous new harpsichord!) and special guests Natasha Kraemer (cello) and Nick Pollock (theorbo). The program traverses Renaissance and Baroque Italy and Germany with works by Corelli, Caldara, Hildegard von Bingen and Gabrielli.
CONCERT #4: WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE - XYRIS QUARTET
Discover the beguiling sounds of vintage saxophones, with Benjamin Price (soprano), Jabra Latham (alto), Thomas McKay (tenor) & Eva Nilssen (baritone) performing works by Bach through to Xenakis, alongside new Tasmanian works.
CONCERT #5: WEDNESDAY 3 JULY - A CAPPELLA SURPRISE!
Introducing .... Van Diemen's Voices! Directed by acclaimed lutruwitan/Tasmanian vocalist, composer and music director Quin Thomson, VDV explores the incredible array of music written for vocal ensemble.
This sublimely meditative performance celebrates reflective and transfixing works from the 12th-13th Centuries, including the mystic and visionary abbess, Hildegard of Bingen, alongside works by 21st century lutruwitan/Tasmanian composers Quin Thomson, Teri Young and Emily Sheppard.
Interspersed with these entrancing vocal performances are instrumental interludes from Van Diemen's Fiddles, bringing the Winter Lunchbox Concert series in Launceston to a captivating close.
"I can't believe I can fit a world-class experience like this into the middle of my day for $10. It's wild. A transporting, beautiful interlude which takes me out of the noise and into the music. Thank you. "
Luke Plumb & James Crabb | Luke Plumb, mandolin James Crabb, piano accordion |
Quercus Trio | |
Mini Van Diemen's Band | Lucinda Moon, Katie Yap violins Natasha Kraemer, cello Nicholas Pollock, theorbo Donald Nicolson, harpsichord Please note that Julia Fredersdorff will no longer be performing in this concert as previously advertised, due to injury. |
Xyris Quartet | XYRIS QUARTET “thrilling to listen to... technically secure... spectacularly so” - Peter Donnelly (The Mercury) comprises Tasmanian contemporary-classical saxophonists Benjamin Price (soprano saxophone), Jabra Latham (alto saxophone), Thomas McKay (tenor saxophone), and Eva Nilssen (baritone saxophone), performing captivating blends of classical and contemporary music. Their performances encompass classical masterpieces, ranging from the works of Bach, to modern compositions, and brand new music, ensuring a diverse and immersive experience for their audiences and bridging the gap between centuries of musical tradition. Xyris’ performances highlight the incredible versatility of the saxophone, exploring genres from classical classics to experimental contemporary pieces, underscoring the saxophone's evolution as an instrument and its potential for profound artistic expression. Xyris Quartet has recorded and performed for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and appeared as soloists with the Hobart Chamber Orchestra in the premiere of Jabra Latham’s Three Days of Rain. Notably, Xyris performs exclusively on vintage saxophones that preserve the acoustic properties intended by the instrument’s inventor, Adolphe Sax. This rare choice serves to present a lush and lyrical sound world, adding an extra layer of uniqueness to their performances. |
A Capella Surprise! | Quin Thomson, Director and soprano Van Diemen's Voices: Katie Yap Van Diemen's Fiddles: Julia Fredersdorff, Baroque Violin & Artistic Director |
This project was made possible by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia. |
CONCERT #5: A CAPPELLA SURPRISE! Gregorian Chant Christus Factus Est |
CONCERT #4: XYRIS QUARTET Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) "Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden" BWV 230 Seite 1 Johan Halvorsen (1864-1935) Passacaglia after G.F Handel's Suite No. 7 in G minor for Harpsichord, arr. Jabra Latham for saxophone quartet Karlin Love Movements 1 and 5 from Emerald Boa for clarinet quartet, arr. for saxophone quartet Percy Grainger (1882-1961) Shepherd's Hey J.S. Bach Prelude No. 4 in C-sharp minor BWV 849 Jabra Latham Over the Fence Britney Spears, Cathy Dennis, Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Henrik Jonback Toxic |
CONCERT #3: MINI VAN DIEMEN'S BAND Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) Sonata a 3 in D major Opus 4 No. 4 Domenico Gabrielli (1659-1690) Cello Sonata in G Major Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) Sonata in D minor K.64 & Sonata in D minor K.141 Sequentia/Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) Processional of Embodied Souls Antonio Caldara (1670-1736) Trio sonata in E minor Opus 1 No. 5 |
CONCERT #2: QUERCUS TRIO Catherine Likhuta (b. 1981) Tangle and Tear
Larry Sitsky (b. 1934) Barerq Elena Kats-Chernin (b. 1957) Velvet Revolution (movements 1-3) Peter Sculthorpe (1929-2014) Night Song Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Horn Trio IV. Finale. Allegro con brio |
Event and ticketing details
Date & Time
Luke Plumb & James Crabb |
Wed 5 June 1.05 - 1.50pm |
Quercus Trio |
Wed 12 June 1.05 - 1.50pm |
Mini Van Diemen's Band |
Wed 19 June 1.05 - 1.50pm |
Xyris Quartet |
Wed 26 June 1.05 - 1.50pm |
A Capella Surprise! |
Wed 3 July 1.05 - 1.50pm |
Tickets
Pre-booked / Friends of Theatre North | $10.00 |
Door sales | $15.00 |
Companion Card Holder | Free |
Location
Accessibility
Event notes
Duration
Each Lunchbox Concert is a 45-minute performance with no interval.