Desandre & Dunford

Presented by Musica Viva Australia & Opera Australia

A pocketful of love songs.

Love is in the air when mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre and lutenist Thomas Dunford embark on a voyage across three centuries of French song.

Lea Desandre, named Female Singer of the Year at the Opus Klassik awards in 2022, is one of the brightest talents of her generation. Thomas Dunford, her partner in life and music, is the inspiring artistic director of Ensemble Jupiter. Together, they are taking the world of classical music by storm.

For her Australian debut, Lea Desandre explores an exquisite bouquet of songs from the Baroque to now, which explore the many shades of love, from tenderness to passion to heartbreak. At her side, Thomas Dunford brings sunny harmonies and captivating lute solos.

'It doesn't matter whether the texts are by Shakespeare or by modern songwriters', says Desandre. 'These are songs born out of someone grabbing an instrument and bringing the words to life, straight from the heart.'

This is a rare opportunity to hear 'the duo with the most chemistry in classical music' (OperaWire) in an intimate recital setting, singing and playing from the heart. Be charmed, mesmerised and utterly seduced by Lea Desandre and Thomas Dunford.

Special thanks to Ensemble Patrons Philip Bacon AO and Susie Dickson for their generous support of this tour.

Presented by Musica Viva Australia and Opera Australia, in partnership with Opera Queensland, State Opera South Australia and West Australian Opera.

Reviews

‘Lea Desandre brought life and beauty to everything she touched.’ — New York Times

‘The best lute player since Dowland himself.’ — The Times

Dates & Times

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Duration: 1 hour 20 mins (no interval). Please note, running times are approximate and subject to change.

Single tickets on sale 11am Wednesday 7 October

Standard
Premium $165
A Reserve $138
B Reserve $103
C Reserve $74

Concession
Premium $146
A Reserve $122
B Reserve $89
C Reserve $63

Under 40
A - C Reserve $50

Under 18
A - C Reserve $20

Group 10 +
Premium $148.50
A Reserve $124.20
B Reserve $92.70
C Reserve $66.60

Season Tickets

Opera Australia season tickets are available now via opera.org.au

Musica Viva Australia season tickets are available from 26 August 2026 via musicaviva.com.au

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.

Artists

Lea Desandre mezzo-soprano
Thomas Dunford lute

Program

Honoré d'Ambruis
Le doux silence de nos bois

Reynaldo Hahn
Néère, extrait des Études latines
À Chloris

Françoise Hardy
Le temps de l’amour
Le premier bonheur du jour

Erik Satie
Gnossienne No.1
Gymnopédie No.1

Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Celle qui fait tout mon tourment – Auprès du feu l’on fait l’amour

André Messager
J’ai deux amants

Alice Chance
New work*

Michel Lambert
Ma bergère est tendre et fidèle
Vos mépris chaque jour

Sébastien Le Camus
On n’entend rien dans ce bocage
Laissez durer la nuit