FOUR TASMANIANS ARE SET TO STAR IN BRISBANE BAROQUE (10-18 APRIL 2015)

Julia Fredersdorff

A HOBART VIOLINIST, LAUNCESTON COUNTERTENOR, HOBART CELLIST AND NEW NORFOLK-EDUCATED SOPRANO have all been invited to participate in Brisbane Baroque.

Ferntree resident Julia Fredersdorff, widely regarded as Australia’s finest baroque violinist, will star in a rare performance of Biber’s Rosary Sonatas. “This is quite a challenge,” says Fredersdorff. “The piece lasts for around four hours with breaks for re-tuning my violin. It’s a wonderful work. I’ve performed it once before and can’t wait to tackle it again.”

Launceston Countertenor Nicholas Tolputt, who gave a recital in the sold out Town Hall series last year, will perform in the Brisbane City Hall. Nicholas, who studied at Melbourne Conservatorium, was recently awarded a Melba Trust Scholarship to further his career overseas.

Young Hobart cellist, William Hewer, who played in both Hobart Baroque festivals, will return from studies in Beerlin and Koln for a major solo recital and 28-year old Bryony Dwyer, who was educated at New Norfolk High School and last year became a soloist with the world famous Vienna State Opera, also returns for three appearances in Brisbane, the first of them in an opening night Gala Concert with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

“All four were scheduled to appear in the third Hobart Baroque festival of early music in April this year,” said Jarrod Carland, the event’s Executive Producer. “When the festival was cancelled because of lack of state government support it was re-scheduled for Brisbane at the same time and with the same program.”

“But it’s a pity that we were unable to feature the other local musicians with whom discussions had already taken place,” added Mr Carland. “There is no doubt that Hobart was a perfect city for a festival and its heritage buildings an added bonus.”

“But Queensland recognised the possibilities of the event and have entered into a three-year agreement to continue it in Brisbane.”

Brisbane Baroque opens on April 10 with the first of four performances of Handel’s opera Faramondo in a spectacular production from the Handel Festival in Gottingen, Germany. The festival will run until April 18.

Tickets for Brisbane Baroque go on sale today at 2.00pm via qtix.com.au. For further information on the festival program visit brisbanebaroque.com.au
Cindy Ullrich, QPAC Publicity Manager