Classical Music in Perth 

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.

Hear experimental acoustic and electronic music performances, installations, audio visual works, DJ artists and world premieres from the West Australian Laptop Orchestra, ECUatorial, Listener Ensemble, Shock Of The New and more. Music Director: Lindsay Vickery Performed by: Composition and Music Technology students and staff

WAAPA’s three leading instrumentalists join the WAAPA Symphony Orchestra to fight for the Warana Prize. Internationally-renowned conductor Peter Moore OAM also leads the orchestra through Elena Kats-Chernin's ravishing Wild Swans Suite and Sergei Prokofiev's thrilling music for Romeo and Juliet, an extraordinary musical tale of doomed love. A wonderful evening of orchestral music at its best. Bookings open now. 

Music Director: Peter Moore OAM
Performed by: WAAPA Symphony Orchestra and Warana Prize finalists

The music will be complimented by a re-imagining of historical dances by Perth-based choreographer Andries Weidemann. HIP Company is Bonnie de la Hunty (soprano), Sarah Papadopoulos (violin) and Krista Low ('cello). Guest artists: Stewart Smith (harpsichord), Andrew Skinner (flute) and Jet Kye Chong (percussion). Post-concert refreshments sponsored by Howard Park Wines. Made possible by the generous support of the Department of Local Government, Sports and Culture of Western Australia.

A gastronomic journey inspired by the hilarity of The Barber of Seville, the night weaves a selection of exclusive performances from West Australian Opera with a progressive tasting through award-winning venues at Brookfield Place Perth. Taking creative cues from Rossini’s famed work, a tale of a “matchmaking barber with more skills than just cutting hair and pulling teeth,” our talented chefs and bartenders have a rich seam of inspiration from which to work. This exciting casual event moves through Bar Lafayette, Print Hall, The Heritage Wine Bar, W. Churchill and Bobeche. Each venue will serve up an inspired cocktail or wine offering with three of our venues also matching against an entrée course with an operatic twist and operatic performances. Food writer and critic, Max Brearley, returns as curator and host, following sell out progressive dining events over the past two years. Tickets are strictly limited and anticipated to sell out fast. Secure your tickets and book now. Session 1 Date: Tuesday 27 April 2021 Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm Tickets: $110 per person Meeting location: Bar Lafayette (meet at 6.15pm) Session 2 Date: Wednesday 28 April 2021 Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm Tickets: $110 per person Meeting location: Bar Lafayette (meet at 6.15pm)

The 'Harmony of the Spheres' was a concept very much alive in the early Baroque times and was a potent catalyst for creativity among musicians and astronomers alike. In this special presentation, made possible by the sponsorship of the City of Perth, multi-sensory celebration of space exploration is presented by English astrophysicist and planetary geologist, Dr Antony Brian, and paired with mind-blowing NASA images and music inspired by stars and space.

Starring Magda Lisek and Yann Kee, as well as Jun Zhang and Matthew Dixon, Diary of a Couch Diva is sure to take you out of your Covid misery. Two divas with their bright futures planned for the year ahead find themselves sitting on their couch with their diaries empty due to Covid-19. But not all is as it seems. Find yourself transported to the world of opera and musical theatre as Couch Opera Live takes you on a journey through the Diary of A Couch Diva!

Written & Directed by Gregory Yurisich. Music Director Michael Schouten

Be moved by the powerful voices of West Australian Opera artists in this immersive opera experience under the starry sky and on the deserts sands. Sing along to showstopping arias in a concert of well-known operatic hits. This is an event experience for the entire family to enjoy.

Let showstopping arias sweep you away in a concert of well-known operatic hits the entire family will enjoy. Opera in the Pinnacles is proudly supported by WAO Principal Partner Wesfarmers Arts, the Minderoo Foundation, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Shire of Dandaragan.

Date and running times 6.00pm Saturday 1 May 2021 6.00pm – Concert commences 6.50pm – Interval (30 minutes) 7.20pm – Concert resumes 8.00pm – Concert concludes Booking link www.waopera.asn.au/shows/events/opera-in-the-pinnacles/

We are thrilled to invite you to an evening of rare and stirring choral music, presented by and for friends. The program includes striking works from the 20th and 21st centuries, including lesser known pieces by Edward Elgar, Herbert Howells, and Francis Poulenc, alongside contemporary works by women including Judith Weir, Sarah Quartel and Kerry Andrew. Join us for an intimate evening of choral music sung to the highest standard - we're looking forward to seeing you there!

The Close Quarters series takes chamber music out of the concert hall and into smaller, charming, and intimate spaces. Get up close to us and the music, as we play movements, excerpts and selections of music that is currently under our fingers. It’s a varied and unpredictable musical journey that can shift and change on the whim of the Fremantle Doctor!

Two hundred years ago, in 1821, Greeks rose in revolt against the mighty Ottoman Empire, which had dominated their land for centuries. The Revolution of 1821 led to the establishment of an independent, internationally recognised Greek kingdom in 1832. Always, from before the Revolution to the present day, music and song have inspired Greek people to struggle for a better world and to honour those who have given their lives for the cause. To mark the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek War of Independence, we bring you a concert with songs of revolution, liberation and empowerment created over several decades by four great composers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries: Vassilis Tsitsanis, Manos Hatzidakis, Stavros Xarchakos and Mikis Theodorakis. The concert will feature international artist Dimitris Basis, together with a Greek band and a symphony orchestra, under the direction of conductor George Ellis.

The Massed Sax project returns to WAAPA in 2021! Led by WAAPA saxophone lecturer Matt Styles and The 'Phone Co., this is an event where the saxophone brings together jazz, classical, contemporary and world music. Bookings open now.

Sax players are invited to register as a participant of the event. All-day workshops for participants are also available. To register your interest as a participant, please contact Elly Welch at [email protected]

Music Director: Matt Styles
Performed by: Matt Styles, The 'Phone Co., and the Massed Sax Orchestra

Mercurial composer, performer and conductor David Pye has transformed the art of percussion in WA. Sparks fly as Pye leads Defying Gravity into a magical world of sound, rhythm and groove – using marimbas, vibraphones and a kaleidoscope of exotic percussion instruments. You’ll also hear percussion masterworks by Edgard Varèse and Iannis Xenakis, plus Brazilian samba. Bookings open April 20.

Directed by: Tim White 
Performed by: Defying Gravity with David Pye

The creative vision of new Australian music for the guitar is one that is expansive and poetic, adapting to the inspiring vistas of our picturesque landscapes and the oddities of our unique natural environment. This event combines performances of new and recent Australian guitar works with readings of poems by acclaimed poet Glen Phillips – a poet renowned for his expressive depictions of uniquely Western Australian settings. Works include guitar solos and chamber works performed by WAAPA students, staff and selected special guest artists. Music Director: Jonathan Paget Performed by: Guitar students and staff with Glen Philips and guest artists

Composed for the renowned jazz clarinettist Benny Goodman, the work showcases Latin-American rhythms and a virtuosic cadenza. This modern American beauty complements Tchaikovsky’s romantic String Sextet ‘Souvenir de Florence’, written as a tribute to the composer’s favourite European city, plus other string chamber gems. Music Director: Paul Wright Performed by: String Camerata with Philip Everall