2023 Concert Series Announced
We are delighted to announce our 2023 Concert Series.
Featuring a raft of world-class artists, and a varied and exciting program of music, showcasing our magnificent organ, our choir and the finest Adelaide musicians, and culminating in that best of Christmas traditions - Handel’s Messiah, performed in partnership with Adelaide’s specialist baroque orchestra, Adelaide Baroque.
The Cathedral has a natural calling to be a centre of musical excellence in Adelaide. The 2023 Concert Series affirms this, and offers music lovers in Adelaide a unique and rewarding program; which, with your support as an audience, in turn supports the Music Foundation’s mission to develop and grow the music program offered by the Cathedral, in particular for our beloved choir and organ.
The year begins with the third iteration of “Opera Meets Organ!” on March 4th - this time with added tenor! Andrew Goodwin is one of Australia’s finest, most versatile singers. Alongside a career of many years spent singing with Opera Australia, with the Bolshoi Opera in Moscow, and around the world, Andrew is also a favourite of Pinchgut Opera audiences in Sydney. We are in for an afternoon of very classy singing; alongside Jessica Dean in duets and arias, supported by the orchestra that is our Cathedral Organ, in the capable hands of Director of Music Anthony Hunt.
Good Friday offers a time for reflection and quiet. The Meditation Concert at 3pm is a well established tradition at St Peter’s, and this year features the Cathedral Choir in one of the most charming and beautiful choral works in the repertoire - the Requiem by John Rutter. This is performed with a small ensemble of instrumentalists, and is a free concert that is an important part of the liturgy offered by St Peter’s Cathedral during Holy Week.
Sergei Rachmaninov - composer of the the most popular piano concertos ever written - celebrates the 150th anniversary of his birth in 2023. Whilst the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra presents all of the piano concertos in concert in May, we present a unique opportunity to hear a full transcription of Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony, on our magnificent organ. Virtuoso Simon Nieminksi, formerly of Edinburgh Cathedral and St Mary’s Sydney, has created his own transcription of this, the most popular and melodious of Rachmaninov’s Symphonies, and we are lucky that he is able to present it in concert here in Adelaide on Sunday 4th June. It is a tour-de-force of symphonic playing, and a wonderful showcase for our cathedral organ.
The Annual Patronal Festival Organ Recital is becoming a fixture in the calendars of those who love fine organ music. Few who attended can forget the thrill of Joseph Nolan’s blistering performance of Reubke’s Sonata on the 94th Psalm in 2021; or the wonderful, elegant and disciplined technique of Thomas Wilson’s recital in 2022. In 2023, we are excited to present Canadian-born, UK-based organist Rachel Mahon. Rachel was the first woman ever to be appointed as organ scholar at St Paul’s Cathedral, London. Since then she has forged an international career as a recording artist, soloist and educator. Appointed as Director of Music at Coventry Cathedral in 2020, we are excited to have Rachel visit for our St Peter’s Day weekend - to work with our choir, conduct the Sunday morning service on St Peter’s Day, and to present an exciting organ recital, including some very special music by Canadian composers. Healey Willan may not be a widely known name outside of “organ music” circles, but his Introduction, Passacaglia & Fugue is considered one of the masterworks of the organ repertoire. Fellow Canadian composer Rachel Laurin’s 1st Symphony is uplifting, grand and virtuosic - what a thrill to have Rachel Mahon with us for this concert!
In August, we present two favourites of Adelaide audiences: Thomas Trotter is an internationally renowned recitalist. Awarded the Queen’s Medal for Music in 2020, he was an organ scholar at King’s College Cambridge, studied with the great Marie-Claire Alain in Paris, has won more awards than can be listed, and performed around the globe in a busy and impressive recital career. Thomas presented the official opening recital for our cathedral organ in 2019, after it’s complete restoration.
Thomas is joined by Celia Craig. A former principal oboist of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Celia’s beautiful and heartfelt playing is welcome feature of the concert stage in Adelaide and around the world. She has played with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony, and has had many new works commissioned for her fantastic playing.
Thomas and Celia join together in duet - oboe and organ, an unusual but wonderful combination in the cathedral’s acoustic.
December is the month of merriment, and brings two reasons for celebration!
A concert for the Cathedral Choir, in preparation for their planned tour of the UK taking place after Christmas this year; and then that most wonderful of all traditions - a Christmas Messiah! Handel’s Messiah remains one of the most popular and beloved pieces of music for very good reason. The music has an incredible humanity; it is dramatic, expressive, beautiful and memorable. None-so more than when performed by the incredible players of Adelaide Baroque. We have assembled a stellar cast of soloists - tenor Andrew Goodwin returns after his concert in March, and is joined by Pelham Andrews, Sally-Anne Russell and Jessica Dean.
Tickets for all these concerts are available now for purchase. Choose your favourites, or come to them all! Invite your friends, or give tickets of great music as gifts; all supports the continuation wonderful music at St Peter’s Cathedral.