Classical Music in Perth 

The breathtaking pianist Konstantin Shamray joins the talented WASO and Asher Fisch to take on possibly the greatest of all piano concertos, Rachmaninov’s stormy and romantic Second. The concert is opened with the shimmering atmospherics of Olivia Davies’ new work Stratus.

Presenting music spanning over nearly five decades, Rupert takes us on a journey through the magic of classical, blues, rock and world music sounds. It includes his own songs as well as selected music by other artists who inspired his individual journey and life in music. Featuring hit songs and instrumentals from George Harrison, Neil Young, Jeff Beck, The Neville Bros, themes from Blade Runner and Zorba, his own meditative solo improvisations, and of course Rupert on his assorted electric violins with his all-star band line up, the night will include the stories from his life which catapulted him into each phase of his career. Rupert Guenther is an international concert violinist playing recitals and shows his own music in Australia, UK, Europe, and the USA, ranging from classical to ambient/world music and blues, and releasing over 27 albums of his own music since 2003. Trained as a virtuoso concert violinist in Vienna, Austria, his deep feeling for music has fuelled his musical passions over a diverse range of musical styles since a young age. Formerly a member of the Vienna Chamber Opera (Vienna, Austria), he has been sideman to stars such as Beatles' producer Sir George Martin, Olivia-Newton John, Demis Roussos, John Farnham, Anthony Warlow, Austrian TV heart-throb Tobias Moretti (of "Inspector Rex" fame - the detective not the dog!), and more recently Hollywood singer-songwriter Lisbeth Scott.

Join the award-winning WA Wind Symphony and the West Coast Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus in this gripping journey through the power of love, the tragedy of loss and ultimately, the joy of life. Featuring James Barnes’ monumental Third Symphony for wind ensemble, British composer Rebecca Dale’s Materna Requiem for orchestra and chorus (Australian Premiere), Dolly Parton’s Light of a Clear Blue Morning and conductor Samuel Parry’s My River, this concert is sure to both pull at your heartstrings and leave you feeling a sense of blissful calm and joy!

Freeze Frame Opera has taken Dvorák’s Rusalka, a beautiful version of The Little Mermaid story, and turned it into a magical production for children. Instead of following the traditional love story, this Little Mermaid is a coming-of-age tale about balancing adventure and responsibility as children grow up and leave home.

In a perfect introduction to live music and theatre for young audiences, there’ll be plenty of laughter, interaction and suspense – and of course the sublime music of Dvorák’s lyrical opera. Stay a while longer to enjoy pedal cars, face painting and refreshments, followed by some fun games in the stunning gardens of Government House, all included in your ticket price.

West Australian Opera returns to Supreme Court Garden in a celebration of live performance and reconnection with the community. This event is free however tickets are essential under State Government Phase 4 restrictions surrounding the COVID19 pandemic. 

To enable as many people to attend in 2021, City of Perth Opera in the Park has been extended to two performance evenings.

 

A Gala Concert Event

For 30 years West Australian Opera has presented Opera in the Park, igniting emotions and sharing the splendour of live performance with thousands of Western Australians.

In a spectacle of Western Australian talent for everyone to enjoy, West Australian Opera is rolling out the stars for this special Opera in the Park 30^th Anniversary Gala Concert

This iconic event in the centre of the city will be held over two nights in the Supreme Court Gardens. It is free but tickets are essential.

Western Australian companies join forces for this special event weekend featuring West Australian Opera principal artists, the West Australian Opera Chorus with the full might of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and forms part of the 2021 Perth Festival.

Dream your way by candlelight on a journey through Franz Liszt`s piano music in the exquisite surrounds of Perth`s Government House Ballroom with a concert featuring favourites such as the Consolations, Liebestraum, and highlights from the Years of Pilgrimage. Pianists Tommy Seah, Nicholas Williams, Jordan Proctor, Izaac Masters, and Hannah Th'ng present Liszt by Candlelight: a celebration of the life, works, and ideals of Franz Liszt.

A free event supported by Lotterywest. For 30 years West Australian Opera (WAO) has presented Opera in the Park, igniting emotions, and sharing the splendour of opera with thousands of Western Australians. In 2021, WAO is rolling out the Western Australian stars for this special 30th Anniversary Gala Concert featuring thrilling moments and favourite pieces from the world of opera and musical theatre that will have you singing along. 

CONDUCTOR Christopher van Tuinen MC Penny Shaw

CAST Emma Matthews, Sara Macliver, Caitlin Cassidy, Paul O'Neill, Michael Lewis, Chelsea Burns, Brianna Louwen, Chelsea Kluga, Matthew Dixon, Lachlann Lawton

FEATURING West Australian Opera Chorus, West Australian Symphony Orchestra

Part of the 2021 Perth Festival

Helicopters cut through the mist in Platoon and Gene Kelly steams up your glasses in An American in Paris – we begin and end with music that defined two iconic Hollywood blockbusters. Kurt Weill’s Symphony No.2 is an absolute gem, embracing both wry satire of relentless energy and the sound of his popular Broadway works. WASO’s own trumpet superstar Brent Grapes will dazzle you with Henri Tomasi’s virtuosic Trumpet Concerto, which traverses an enthralling musical landscape from Hollywood noir, to French impressionism and jazz.

One of the world’s most successful Broadway writing teams with two of the brightest shining stars in music theatre today will be performing at Perth Concert Hall, backed by WASO. The crowd will find themselves sing along to all the hits including ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’ from The Sound of Music and ‘Shall We Dance?’ from The King and I, plus ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ from South Pacific, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ from Carousel, and much more!

The Performing Arts Perspectives is an important educational event on the annual calendar of Year 11 and 12 Performing Arts students.

The event provides benchmarks of excellence in Dance, Drama and Music for students and teachers from the Public, Independent and Catholic education sector.

The assortment of performers for inclusion in the programme are carefully made to reflect both the most skillful performances and the breadth of work covered in each subject discipline. The highest scoring students are invited to audition and from these, exceptional performers are chosen by a panel made up of representatives from the relevant professional arts area and education sector.

 

Under the Creative Direction of Founder and CEO Bourby Webster, Perth Symphony will bring to life works by classical greats such as Vivaldi and Gershwin, juxtaposed with contemporary composers including Katie Noonan. Special solo performances made up of Ross Edwards ‘Water Spirit Song’ by Principal Cellist Sophie Curtis as well as guitarist Rick Webster performing John Butler’s ‘Ocean’ will provide a refreshing and contemporary twist to the event. “The ocean is the backdrop and soundtrack to the lives of thousands of Western Australians” says Bourby Webster, “and this concert, through a formidable program of music inspired by the ocean spanning centuries, will bring the ocean to the fore through music in an incredibly moving way.” The concert includes a world premier soundscape performance of the Rottnest Channel topography, a special collaboration between Perth Symphony Orchestra and WA composer Rebecca Erin Smith commissioned especially for the concert. Whether you surf, swim, fish or sail, this concert will evoke a sense of movement and awaken your connection to the ocean. Special thanks to presenting partner Blue Ocean Monitoring, concert partner UWA’s Oceans Institute and event partner Fremantle Ports for making this concert possible.

The Baden Street Singers' acclaimed audiovisual experience, Underneath the Stars, returns for another season! Featuring contemporary choral repertoire, pop classics and original compositions, The Baden Street Singers will again take you on an a cappella odyssey through the universe, featuring the very celestial bodies that adorn our night sky - all projected onto the largest planetarium in the Southern Hemisphere. This show will feature brand-new repertoire, including an in-house arrangement, as well the debut of an original work sung in Old Norse by South Australian composer, Jamie Moffatt.

In their second co-production, St George's Cathedral and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) will present an Easter concert never performed before in Perth. Duruflé's Requiem and Bach's Easter Oratorio will come together to create "a sonic picture of the joy of Easter", in the words of Joseph Nolan, St George's Concert Series Artistic Director. The concert tells the Easter story through the exquisite sounds of two extraordinary composers. Beginning with the solemn serenity of Duruflé's Requiem, the second half brings the jubilance of the resurrection through Bach's Oratorio. Featuring Soprano Sara Macliver, Mezzo Fiona Campbell, Tenor Paul McMahon and Baritone James Clayton with St George's Cathedral Consort.

The Darlington Quartet is an ensemble of gifted musicians drawn from the Australian String Quartet and West Australian Symphony Orchestra. The Darlington Quartet specialises in chamber music played in intimate settings, where they are able to create a closer connection with the audience.

The players will provide wonderful insights by introducing the pieces they have chosen. These include Ravel's virtuosic string quartet No.1, which displays his endless imagination for sound and texture on a magic carpet ride of colour and fantasy. Tchaikovsky's first quartet is full of the heartfelt melodies and irresistible rhythms, including the famous slow movement, that make him such a beloved composer. The Darlington Quartet love these works because they vividly show the imaginative and expressive possibilities of the string quartet.

 

As a 15-year-old student nearing the end of his first year at the Vienna Conservatory, Gustav Mahler composed one movement of a piano quartet, a work that always gives the impression that something bigger is struggling to emerge. Following Mahler’s own tradition of enlarging certain chamber pieces, this program includes an orchestration of the quartet, made by the outstanding violinist Harry Ward: an ANAM alumnus and a Musica Viva FutureMaker.

Alfred Schnittke was keenly aware of his Soviet/German musical heritage, even as he stomped on it in heavy boots. Yet his piano concerto is a touching affirmation of his artistic roots, and his affection for Tchaikovsky makes the two Russians good bedfellows, the elder’s Serenade here prefaced by Estonian composer Mihkel Kerem’s Lamento, a work of searing beauty.

ANAM’s ensemble of wonderful young string players is directed with equal verve by the terrific Sophie Rowell, one of Australia’s most admired instrumentalists. They are joined onstage by Adelaide’s brilliant, Russian-trained Konstantin Shamray.