2027 at Melbourne Recital Centre
Melbourne Recital Centre announces 2027 subscription season, ‘First Songs, Last Songs’
The program explores how music marks life’s beginnings and endings, bringing new compositions and final masterworks to the stage through world-leading artists.
Melbourne Recital Centre (MRC) is inviting audiences to experience the expressive breadth of classical music with the launch of its 2027 subscription season, ‘First Songs, Last Songs’. Bringing together leading international artists and outstanding Australian musicians, the program explores music’s place in life’s first encounters, final experiences and enduring memories.
Featuring acclaimed pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, composer and vocalist Caroline Shaw (pictured) with the Kamus Quartet, the Idrîsî Ensemble and the Leonkoro Quartet alongside cellist Umberto Clerici, the season places some of today’s most distinctive musical voices in conversation with centuries of artistic expression.
‘First Songs, Last Songs’ marks Iain Grandage AM’s first season as Melbourne Recital Centre’s Chief Curator, reflecting his belief in giving artists space to share the stories and ideas behind their music.
“There is a particular excitement in hearing a living composer perform their own work, and a profound poignancy in encountering a composer’s final masterpiece,” says Iain Grandage AM.
“‘First Songs, Last Songs’ brings those experiences together through extraordinary artists, each with something personal to say. It’s an invitation to spend time with music that moves us, challenges us and connects us to one another.”
The season unfolds across three concert series – Evening Lights, Morning Stars and Mostly Mozart.
Evening Lights opens in February with the Idrîsî Ensemble, bringing ancient and endangered Mediterranean singing traditions to the concert hall. In March, Víkingur Ólafsson makes his long-awaited return, drawing connections between the intricate keyboard music of Rameau, Debussy’s colour and atmosphere, and the repeating patterns of Philip Glass.
The Kleio Quartet makes its Australian debut in May alongside pianist Konstantin Shamray. In October, Caroline Shaw joins the Kamus Quartet, singing her own songs in a program spanning Josquin des Prez, Scarlatti and Beethoven. The Evening Lights finale sees the Leonkoro Quartet return with cellist Umberto Clerici in November for Schubert’s String Quintet, bringing the season to a poignant close with the composer’s final completed chamber work.
Morning Stars offers daytime encounters with three compelling musical communicators: cellist Natalie Clein with Stefan Cassomenos, baritone Roderick Williams with Timothy Young, and violinist Francesca Dego with Andrea Lam.
Mostly Mozart returns in partnership with the Australian National Academy of Music, with morning programs featuring Mozart’s Gran Partita and Symphony No.29 alongside Beethoven and Haydn.
Beyond the ‘First Songs, Last Songs’ subscription season, the Centre’s broader 2027 program includes ‘International Up Close’, bringing some of the world’s finest artists to the intimate surrounds of the Primrose Potter Salon. From the Baroque splendour of Les Kapsber’girls to acclaimed German baritone Benjamin Appl singing Schubert, the series spans emerging talent, new work premieres and masterpieces of song.
The Centre also welcomes Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung songwoman Dr Lou Bennett AM as Artist in Residence. Building on her collaboration with Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO to deliver the ‘Look Above’ spectrogram artwork for the centre’s recently opened third venue, The Beacon, Bennett will play a key role in supporting and platforming the next generation of First Nations musicians.
Melbourne Recital Centre CEO Sandra Willis adds, “‘First Songs, Last Songs’ speaks to why music matters throughout our lives – its power to carry memory, give expression to emotion and create a sense of belonging”.
“Across our wider program, that belief takes many forms – bringing audiences closer to extraordinary performers, giving artists room to explore and supporting the next generation of musical voices. Together, these experiences strengthen our role as Melbourne’s year-round festival of music and an enduring cultural home within our evolving Arts Precinct.”