Transformations
In this stunning program, Van Diemen's Band and bass-baritone Andrew O’Connor perform a program of sacred and secular works from 17th Century Germany and Venice, alongside two newly commissioned works by Alice Chance and Brooke Shelley that reimagine and recontextualize this rich musical heritage.
This gloriously expressive repertoire, characterised by rich harmonies and playful dialogue, is the perfect medium to showcase the beauty of the baritone voice.
Set in the soaring acoustic of St Canice's, this concert features works by Heinrich Schütz, Franz Tunder, Nicolaus Bruhns, and Dieterich Buxtehude—composers whose music explores profound themes of faith, readiness, and human vulnerability.
Connecting this music to the present day, two extraordinary Australian composers have created contemporary responses to this baroque repertoire.
Brooke Shelley's Et Versa Est Victoria takes Schütz's deeply moving Fili mi, Absalom—a father's lament for his son—as its point of departure, and Alice Chance's Au Nord draws on one of the program's central works, Mein Herz ist bereit (My heart is ready), exploring the unexpected paths life presents and our courage to keep striving for the things for which we yearn.
Transformations offers our audience a meditation on how we inherit, honour, and reimagine the artistic voices of the past.
For this program VDB comprises some of Australia's most respected musicians on gut strings and instruments of the past, including our new piccolo violin built by Nipaluna/Hobart luthier Douglas Coghill, the rarely-heard sackbut and cornetto, and VDB's very own triple harp, harpsichord and chamber organ.
About the artists
ANDREW O'CONNOR, BASS-BARITONE
For more than a decade Perth-born Andrew O’Connor has maintained a busy freelance career encompassing opera, the concert platform, vocal chamber music, and the classroom.
Praised for his 'remarkable musicianship' (Limelight Magazine) and 'textured, fine-wine bass baritone' (ArtsHub) he appears regularly with many of Australia's leading music organisations.
Formerly a permanent member of The Song Company from 2015-2019, he is a Lay Clerk at St Mary's Cathedral, was an Associate Artist with Pacific Opera in 2019, and winner of the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Prize in 2020. In 2022 he made his international debut with the VOCES8 Foundation and in 2023 joined the American Bach Soloists Academy in San Francisco.
In 2024 Andrew made solo debuts with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra singing Handel's Messiah and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra singing the world premiere of Katy Abbott's Hidden Thoughts III: Stories of Awe.
Other recent projects included the entirety of Pinchgut Opera's 2024 Season including the role of Achilla in Handel's Giulio Cesare, three projects with The Song Company as part of their 40th Anniversary Season, further touring, recording, and creative development with AVÉ – Australian Vocal Ensemble, and numerous projects with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Bach Akademie Australia, Salut! Baroque, Moorambilla Voices and more.
VAN DIEMEN'S BAND
Based in the wild and unspoiled island state of Lutruwita/Tasmania at the southernmost tip of Australia, ‘Australia’s Baroque supergroup’ Van Diemen’s Band breathes new life into historically-informed performance, delivering extraordinary performances across Lutruwita/Tasmania and beyond.
Founded in 2016 by violinist Julia Fredersdorff, VDB varies in size from an intimate chamber group to a larger orchestra and comprises some of the country’s most highly respected early music specialists. Always seeking to break new ground, VDB has collaborated with guest artists such as French Baroque specialist Martin Gester, Persian/Afghani musicians Ensemble Kaboul and Tasmanian mandolin player Luke Plumb.
VDB is an active concert presenter in Lutruwita/Tasmania and delivers a range of education and community engagement programs each year.
Partners
| Soloist | Andrew O'Connor, bass baritone |
| Van Diemen's Band | Julia Fredersdorff, Artistic Director, Baroque violin, piccolo violin Simone Slattery, Baroque violin Karina Schmitz, Baroque violin & viola Katie Yap*, Baroque viola Laura Vaughan, viola da gamba Matthew Manchester, cornetto Nigel Crocker, tenor sackbut Brett Page, bass sackbut Donald Nicolson, harpsichord Thomas Wilson, organ Sim Walters*, dulcian, Baroque bassoon Meriel Owen*, triple harp
* denotes VDB Fellows |
Commissioned works by Alice Chance and Brooke Shelley have been supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW. Alice Chance's work was developed with the kind assistance of the Peggy Glanville-Hicks Trust's Prelude Composer in Residence program and All That We Are. |
|
JOHANN SCHOP (c.1590-1667) Pavan à 5 in D minor HEINRICH SCHÜTZ (1585-1672) Fili Mi, Absalon SWV 269 BROOKE SHELLEY (b.1975) Et Versa Est Victoria World premiere FRANZ TUNDER (1614-1667) O Jesu Dulcissime MATTHIAS WECKMANN (1616-1674) Sonata Quinta à 4 DIETERICH BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707) Mein Herz ist Bereit ALICE CHANCE (b.1994) Au Nord World premiere NICOLAUS BRUHNS (1665-1697) Der Herr Hat Seinen Stuhl |
Event and ticketing details
Date & Time
| St Canice Sandy Bay |
Sun 15 Feb 2.00pm |
| St Canice Sandy Bay |
Sun 15 Feb 5.00pm |
Tickets
| Premium | $59.00 Front 5 rows |
| Standard Seating - Full price | $55.00 |
| Standard Seating - Concession | $49.00 |
| $30 under 30 | $30.00 Limited availability |
| Child 12 and under | $25.00 |
| Concession Card Holder | Free |