Get a Handel on This - Inaugural Brisbane Baroque Kicks Off 10 April 2015

Classical music lovers nationwide are counting down with just ten days until the first Brisbane Baroque kicks off.

Presented in association with Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) from Friday 10 April, to Saturday 18 April 2015, the nine day celebration of early music will showcase leading international and Australian classical musicians. All events are exclusive to Brisbane and will be presented at QPAC and key venues across the city including Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Brisbane City Hall and St Mary's Church Kangaroo Point.

Brisbane Baroque Artistic Director Leo Schofield said that audiences can expect an exciting and exceptional celebration of music from one of the most creatively fertile periods in human history.

“Brisbane Baroque will provide yet another opportunity for audiences to experience exclusive world-class performance in Brisbane.

“Brisbane Baroque will also showcase some of the brilliant young artists and musicians emerging in Australia from our educational academies. We aim to provide a platform for collaboration between international and Australian artists and companies. This year we will feature numerous Queensland artists including ensembles from the ranks of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata of St John's, Canticum Chamber Choir, Badinerie Players and graduates from the National Opera School of renowned Queensland operatic soprano Lisa Gasteen,” said Mr Schofield.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said QPAC is pleased to assist Brisbane Baroque present a diverse program featuring some of the best international, national and local performers of Baroque music.

“This celebration of early music is a great example of collaboration between our city's cultural venues both within the Southbank Cultural Precinct and across the river with events at City Hall and St Mary's Church. It is sure to be a drawcard for visitors, especially as the program includes events over two weekends,” said Mr Kotzas.

Brisbane Baroque will feature outstanding Croatian Countertenor Max Emanuel Cenčić, famed for his performances on opera stages and concert platforms throughout the world, in his first Australian appearance. With celebrated Queensland chamber ensemble Camerata of St John's Cenčić will perform his only recital in QPAC's Concert Hall on Sunday 12 April. This Brisbane exclusive is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Brisbane Baroque has secured an acclaimed production of one of Handel's rarely performed operas, Faramando, direct from Göttingen International Handel Festival in Germany. Never before been seen in Australia, Faramondo will be performed in the Conservatorium Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, South Bank, on Friday 10, Sunday 12, (matinee), Thursday 16 and Sunday 19 April.

The acclaimed Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by British Maestro Oliver Gooch joins forces with Brisbane Baroque in Heavenly Handel, featuring sublime orchestral music, three brilliant young Australian soloists and mighty choruses in QPAC's Concert Hall on Saturday 11 April at 2.00pm and 7.30pm.

Across the river, Brisbane's heritage-listed City Hall will be the breathtaking venue for thirteen exciting Brisbane Baroque events.

Not-to-be missed will be Bach – an Organ Odyssey featuring 20-year-old British organ virtuoso, Richard Gowers who will perform four free recitals of some of Bach's greatest works on the magnificent City Hall organ. These concerts will be presented at lunchtime from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 April and are specially programmed to appeal to city workers and visitors to Brisbane alike.

Perfect for an early evening or post work pick me up; City Hall will also be the place to go for the 5 x 5 x 5 @ 5 series. Showcasing talented Australian soloists and ensembles in five recitals of Baroque music at five pm Monday to Friday, the series concludes with the Brisbane Excelsior Bandperforming Handel's most famous royal commission, Music for the Royal Fireworks. Tickets are just five dollars at the door*.

Lovers of virtuoso performance and music that evokes deep spirituality should not miss the Rosary Sonatas byBiber, acclaimed as among the most extraordinary works in the violin repertoire, to be performed in St Mary's Church, Kangaroo Point on Tuesday 14 April at 11.00am.

Brisbane Baroque also featuresa free conversation on Monday 13 March with Leo Schofield and Max Emanuel Cenčić in QPAC's Concert Hall at 12.00pm.

Presented in association with QPAC, Brisbane Baroque is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland, Arts Queensland, the Federal Ministry for the Arts, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Brisbane Marketing, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata of St John's and the Lisa Gasteen National Opera School.

Don't miss securing your tickets to this inaugural Brisbane exclusive event showcasing the centuries-old appeal of Baroque music and featuring the best in international and Australian early music artists in stunning venues across Brisbane.

For the full program and to book go to www.brisbanebaroque.com.au or phone 136-246.

Brisbane Baroque in association with QPAC:

When: 10 to 18 April 2015
Where: Conservatorium Theatre, South Bank
Concert Hall QPAC, Cultural Precinct, South Bank
Brisbane City Hall, CBD
St Mary's Church Kangaroo Point
Tickets: Refer to qpac.com.au for current pricing
Bookings: qpac.com.au or 136 246

For further information, images or interviews please contact: Cindy Ullrich Publicity Manager QPAC ph (07) 3840 7589 or mobile 0434 366 038 or cindy.ullrich@qpac.com.au

For Brisbane Baroque website please click here.  *Tickets are limited.