
Stars of Australian Chamber Music, Southern Cross Soloists (SXS) will sweep audiences off their feet with a thrilling season of romance and brilliance in their 15th Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Concert Series 2024, with tickets on sale now.
Southern Cross Soloists’ 2024 QPAC Concert Series explores the intricacies of romance through masterworks that embrace the mysterious, the alluring and the exotic, whilst showcasing an extraordinary line-up of virtuoso musicians from Australia and abroad.
SXS Artistic Director Tania Frazer said that the QPAC series would enthral with programs evoking passion, excitement and nostalgia through a tapestry of romance, performed by the exceptional musicians of Southern Cross Soloists and international guest artists.
“Legendary cellist Pablo Casals once said, “Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” Throughout our 2024 QPAC season we explore many different concepts of romance, from the mystical and transformative aspects of alchemy to the captivating and exotic melodies of the Mediterranean, and the artistic and multicultural vibrancy that characterised the Belle Époque era in Europe,” said Ms Frazer.
“We warmly welcome back featured artist and acclaimed and award-winning, Russian-Australian concert pianist Konstantin Shamray, who enthralled audiences with his incredible virtuosity in our QPAC concerts in 2023 and 2022 alongside our brilliant and multi-talented Didgeridoo Artist in Residence Chris Williams and our superb core line-up of talented Southern Cross Soloists. We also welcome back several guest soloists including New Zealand based violinist, Amalia Hall violin, Wakka Wakka soprano Nina Korbe, as well as showcasing many new and extraordinary musicians including Gold Coast born, Vienna-based violin soloist Catherina Lee and Sydney Symphony/London Symphony Principal Trumpet David Elton.
“Our QPAC season kicks off on Sunday 3 March, with Divine Alchemy exploring the transformation of challenging life experiences into extraordinary, profound, and thought-provoking musical works of art. Divine Alchemy delves into the realm of beauty emerging from unexpected sources, presenting a musical journey forged in the crucible of adversity.
“The concert program showcases extraordinary works of beauty by Bach, Debussy, Mozart, and an Australian premiere of Vuillermet’s exquisitely moving piece Elegie. We’ll also present a unique work by composers Seán O’Boyle AM and Chris Williams commissioned for the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project, inspired by the life of Wakka Wakka Elder, Maureen Williams,” Ms Frazer said.
“On Sunday 2 June, Perfumes of the East, will celebrate the diverse melting pot of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, ranging from the lively and rhythmic sounds of Flamenco in Spain to the melodic and modal music of Greece and the Arabic-influenced music of North Africa.
“We invite audiences to journey into the exotic with a sensory odyssey inspired by the Mediterranean’s enchanting shores. Konstantin Shamray features in Saint-Saëns’ sparkling and majestic Piano Concerto No. 5, famously dubbed ‘The Egyptian,’ evoking the grandeur of Luxor’s ancient temple. We explore works by Vivaldi, Kovács, Ravel, Rimsky-Korsakov and Saint-Saëns. Soprano Nina Korbe presents an alluring selection of songs that capture the vibrant spices and rich aromas of Mediterranean cultures, along with a new composition by the esteemed vocal composer Stephen Leek for the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project. The concert also features Southern Cross Soloists, Ashley Smith clarinet in two Spanish-inspired pieces and James Wannan viola, in a concerto by Vivaldi for the rarely heard Viola d’amore, known as the ‘viola of love.’
“On Sunday 20 October, we close our 2024 QPAC season with our final concert Magic, Mystique, and Melancholy drawing inspiration from Stravinsky’s enchanting yet poignant ballet, Petrushka and the iconic Ballets Russe during the cosmopolitan Belle Époque period of artistic and cultural efflorescence in Europe. This program evokes an atmosphere of enchantment and allure whilst embracing the bittersweet essence of the human experience.
“From Russian émigré maestros to the dazzling Belle Époque era of Paris, this concert promises to captivate with the masterworks by Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Dukas, Fauré, and Saint-Saëns. The performance showcases the exceptional talents of guest Australian violin soloist Catherina Lee, from Vienna, and Australia’s foremost trumpet virtuoso, David Elton. The concert also features a world premiere composition for SXS and didgeridoo by the renowned Australian composer Lachlan Skipworth.
“Join SXS in 2024 for a season that promises to sweep you off your feet with romance!” added Ms Frazer.
Passionate exponents for commissioning new Australian music and renowned for fostering creative partnerships with leading international soloists and composers, SXS have commissioned to date over 135 world premiere new works.
In 2024, two concerts will include world premieres of new Australian works for didgeridoo and chamber music ensemble continuing the important cultural legacy project the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project 2022-2032. This project sees three new Australian works for didgeridoo and small ensemble commissioned by leading composers each year in preparedness for the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. 2024 will include works by acclaimed composers Lachlan Skipworth, Stephen Leek, and Seán O’Boyle AM.
Balancing virtuosity with vibrant storytelling and unique, considered artistic programming, SXS is a collective of some of Australia’s leading instrumental soloists. Company in Residence at QPAC since 2009, SXS will deliver in 2024 its 15th QPAC Concert Series and mark 29 years of excellence in music making. Tickets are on sale now at qpac.com.au or phone 136-246.
Southern Cross Soloists QPAC 2024 Concert Series. Southern Cross Soloists and QPAC Present:
Season details:
CONCERT 1
Divine Alchemy
Featuring:
Konstantin Shamray piano
Amalia Hall violin
Chris Williams didgeridoo
WHEN: Sunday, 3 March 2024 at 3pm
WHERE: Concert Hall, Standard Mode
QPAC DURATION: 90 minutes (no interval
CONCERT 2
Perfumes of the East
Featuring:
Konstantin Shamray piano
Nina Korbe soprano
Chris Williams didgeridoo
WHEN: Sunday, 2 June 2024 at 3pm
WHERE: Concert Hall, Standard Mode
QPAC DURATION: 90 minutes (no interval)
CONCERT 3
Magic, Mystique, and Melancholy
Featuring:
Catherina Lee violin
Chris Williams didgeridoo
David Elton trumpet
WHEN: Sunday, 20 October 2024 at 3pm
WHERE: Concert Hall, Standard Mode
QPAC DURATION: 90 minutes (no interval)
About the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project 2022-2032:
2022 marked the launch of an exciting new SXS initiative: the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project. Having appointed Wakka Wakka didgeridoo soloist, Chris Williams as permanent Artist in Residence in late 2019, SXS is committed to commissioning and performing three new works each year for didgeridoo and small ensemble to create a substantial new canon of Australian works by the time Brisbane takes to the world stage with the 2032 Olympics. This multi-season project explores the use of didgeridoo in classical music to create new hybrid sounds with a quintessentially unique Australian flavour. 2024 will see works by acclaimed composers Lachlan Skipworth, Stephen Leek, and Seán O’Boyle AM.
More information on the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project 2022-2032 here