Details

An aural impression of an 18th century concert.

About the artists

Austral Harmony perform on historical instruments conserving traditions of the past. Innovatively designed repertoires cover an extensive range of Baroque styles and highlight captivating instrumental sonorities.

About the concert

Their performance in Primrose Potter Salon presents intimate chamber music focusing on the highly ornate Italian style of two esteemed composer-performers of the Baroque era, George Frideric Handel and Arcangelo Corelli.

Handel’s pastoral cantata and floral arias are highly expressive and dramatic, with the florid poetic language illustrated to great effect as the voice is accompanied by exquisite melody-instrument obbligato.

Fancifully embellished Adagio movements are a feature of Corelli’s virtuosic sonata for violin and harpsichord. The pieces provide an insight into the musical fashions of the day, in particular the innovative nature of basso continuo (cello and harpsichord) which encourages each performance to be created afresh, offering much scope and freedom for individual ornamentation.

By using historically relevant instruments, the musicians of Austral Harmony aim to recreate an aural impression of an 18th century concert.

COVID Safety

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ARTISTS

Anna Sandström soprano
Shane Lestideau Baroque violin
Jane Downer Baroque oboe
Fiona Piggott baroque cello
David Macfarlane harpsichord

Series

This production is part of the following series: