It’s a worry when your guest soloist just wanders off in the middle of a concert. Although it’s not such a concern when you realise it was part of the show – Camerata & Davide Monti: Baroque Labyrinth.
Camerata’s last concert for the year was interesting, to say the least. Superstar Italian baroque violinist Davide Monti has a thing about the labyrinth, it seems, and this theme informed the concert. He played alongside his partner, Maria Cleary, on the baroque harp with Queensland Ballet’s Yanela Pinera wafting in and out of Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. Meanwhile, a film by Ferdi Durkin played throughout, above and beyond the action on stage.
It was, well, pretty busy up there. And hugely entertaining, with some Monteverdi, Handel and other music, including a world premiere of John Rotar’s The Labyrinth. To get us in the mood, Monti created his own labyrinth, moving around on stage metaphorically following life’s labyrinthine path.
At one point, he even donned a Minotaur mask! Just in case we didn’t get it. Fascinating stuff that only makes Camerata fans eager to see what season 2025 promises. We can help there, as next year’s treats have now been revealed.
Camerata’s artistic director and leader Brendan Joyce describes the orchestra as “a beautiful and special place” – presumably for musicians and audiences – and none of us would argue with that.
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“We rest on a long and fruitful history of joyful times, tours, dear friends and rewarding musicmaking,” Joyce says. “I think our 2025 season is both the result of those things and it builds on them.”
March’s opening concert features Joyce on solo violin for Schumann’s glorious Violin Concerto in A Minor. Camerata & Brendan Joyce: Schumann will be a virtuosic, lush and joyous symphonic concert in which Joyce will be joined by Camerata’s wind, brass and percussion sections, a chance to “get the band back together”, for what will be a thrilling, unconducted chamber music experience.
“I’ve been wanting to play the Schumann concerto for a long time now,” Joyce says.
In May we get Camerata & Paul Grabowsky: The Art Of, an inspiring and refreshing collaboration between QPAC’s Art of the Possible artist, the ARIA award-winning pianist Paul Grabowsky, and Camerata. J.S. Bach’s Air and Remember, by contemporary composer Eleanor Alberga, will also feature in this concert, which celebrates tradition while also reimagining it.
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“The chance to play a new work with and by the exceptional person and musician that is Paul Grabowsky, and to join forces with the exquisite new Australian choral outfit, One Equal Music, later in the year – these are concerts that I’m certain will spark joy and with music that will bring much needed inspiration to us all,” Joyce says.
“I’m thrilled that we’ll be part of Brisbane Festival again, this time in Your Eternal Memories. Marking five years with Brisbane Festival, in 2025 Camerata invites you to tell us your stories and we’ll match music that speaks to them. Inspired by Eternal Memory by John Tavener, share with us your eternal or special memories and allow us to curate a concert of music inspired by you. This concert is sure to be moving, nostalgic and, hopefully, a little bit funny.”
To round out the 2025 season, Camerata will collaborate with one of Australia’s newest choirs, One Equal Music, based here in Brisbane. In Camerata & One Equal Music: Celestial Choral Baroque, strings and choir will unite in an otherworldly collaboration. Expect to be uplifted with this achingly beautiful music, old and new. From Bach to Vivaldi, and with its otherworldly theme, this baroque choral concert will not only feature voices but also glass harmonics.
As always, Camerata welcomes audiences to join its members in the foyer after the show to meet the musicians and have a chat. It’s a nice touch that has become a tradition.
Camerata will also embark on their annual regional Queensland tour in May and June, with more details to be announced, and there will also be a recital series in 2025, with more events to be announced throughout the year.
Camerata is much loved and is known for innovative and adventurous programming and thrives on collaborations with artists across a range of artforms, including people such as the great Davide Monti. Watching him range freely around the stage in the Concert Hall recently was a rather unusual treat. And there is, as they say, more where that came from.
Tickets to Camerata’s Season 2025 are now on sale; camerata.net.au