Presented by Australian Chamber Orchestra
Cocteau's Circle
An Adventure to Paris.
Join the Australian Chamber Orchestra on an adventure to Paris as they close their 50th Anniversary National Concert Season with a night of celebration and surprise.
Step into the intimate, dreamy light of Le Boeuf sur le toit, the legendary cabaret bar of 1920s Paris. The liquor is strong and spirits are high. War is over and art is flourishing. Here, Europe’s most fashionable mingle with the city’s greatest minds: Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway Gertrude Stein…And you’re invited to join their circle.
Richard Tognetti directs the Australian Chamber Orchestra as they dive into an era of innovation and wonder,featuring renowned Australian soprano Alexandra Oomens.
Le Gateau Chocolat, of La Clique and La Soirée fame, will be the ACO maitre d’. Brilliant bass and exceptional entertainer, he’ll take you on a journey into les années folles (the crazy years).
The ACO have always been rule-breakers, so this program shines a light on the innovators who paved the way for future trend-setters. You’ll hear the music of Erik Satie, Lili Boulanger and the group dubbed ‘Les Six’ – composers including Francis Poulenc and Darius Milhaud, who took their inspiration from the transgressive jazz they heard at Le Boeuf as well as Cocteau’s avant-garde poetry.
Directed by Circa’s Yaron Lifschitz, who always brings the unexpected, this will be a spectacular evening of storytelling, song and surrealism.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra is celebrating fifty years in 2025 and is one of the most acclaimed chamber orchestras in the world, renowned for their inspired programming, unrivalled virtuosity, energy and individuality. Under the direction of Artistic Director Richard Tognetti, they take audiences on an adventure to create truly transformative experiences.
Duration: 1 hour 30 mins (no interval). Please note, running times are approximate and subject to change.
Tickets
Standard & Concession
Premium $167
A reserve $155 ($145 Concession)
B reserve $134 ($124 Concession)
C reserve $107 ($97 Concession)
D reserve $59
Group 8+
Premium $153
A reserve $133
B reserve $112
C reserve $86
Under 35
$35
Student
$30
A Transaction Fee between $4 and $8.50 applies to orders made online and by phone. Delivery Fees may also apply. A ticket limit of six is in place online to ensure fair ticket access for all. Want to bring a bigger party? Call our Box Office during business hours on (03) 9699 3333 to book.
ACO 2026
Explore Australian Chamber Orchestra's 2026 Season
Program
Elena Kats-Chernin
Pre-show: Intermission Music #
Georges Auric
Ouverture* [abridged]
Elena Kats-Chernin
Interlude 1: Les années folles (The crazy years)#
Igor Stravinsky
L'Histoire du soldat: Ragtime
Arthur Honegger
Les Mariés de la tour Eiffel: Marche funèbre *
Elena Kats-Chernin
Interlude 2: L'opéra (The opera) #
Henri Christiné
Phi-Phi: Bien Chapeautée *
Germaine Tailleferre
String Quartet: I. Modéré *
George Gershwin
Oh, Lady Be Good! *
Maurice Ravel
String Quartet: IV. Vif et agité **
Elena Kats-Chernin
Interlude 3: Le sacré (The sacred)#
Francis Poulenc
Les Chemins de l'amour *
Lili Boulanger
Pie Jesu
Igor Stravinsky
Trois piéces pour quatuor à cordes:
I. Danse
III. Cantique
George Gershwin
Porgy and Bess: I Loves You, Porgy *
Jean Françaix
Concertino for Piano & Orchestra: I. Presto leggiero *
Elena Kats-Chernin
Interlude 4: Les fantômes (The ghosts) #
Claude Debussy
String Quartet, Op.10: II. Assez vif et bien rythmé **
Janis Ian
Stars *
Elena Kats-Chernin
Interlude 5: Étonnez-moi (Astonish me)#
Darius Milhaud
Le Bœuf sur le toit, Op.58 ***
Edith Piaf
L'Hymne a l'amour
# Commissioned by the Australian Chamber Orchestra
* Arranged by Andrew Howes
** Arranged by Richard Tognetti
*** Arranged by Bernard Rofe
Artists
Richard Tognetti Director, Violin
Yaron Lifschitz Staging Director
Le Gateau Chocolat maitre d’
Chloe Lankshear soprano
Australian Chamber Orchestra
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