April brings showers of sacred song, earthly wonders and shining superstars.
The Melbourne Recital Centre has an April lineup of wonder, introspection and musical exploration alongside a star-studded suite of award-winning singers taking to the stage. They have world-renowned artists and Australian household names, songs of praise and songs of power, music that will haunt you and orchestral journeys that will whisk you away.
From genre-blending fusion sounds to creative projects that push the expectations of classical instruments or traditional cinematic storytelling and simple, nostalgic throwbacks for the child within, they’re shows to make you think and feel – or just sing silly songs about spaghetti. Check out the biggest shows happening at the Melbourne Recital Centre in April.
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Matthias Goerne sings Winterreise with Daniil Trifonov
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- When: Tuesday, April 1
- Where: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
- Tickets here
Matthias Goerne and Grammy Award-winning pianist Daniil Trifonov present Schubert’s Winterreise, a song cycle exploring the winter landscape as metaphors for the human condition. In an unmissable one-night-only show, these two critically acclaimed performers will take you on a haunting musical journey of expert pianism and powerful vocals. When the winter story’s done, stay a while for an exclusive post-show discussion of their artistry with Marshall McGuire.
The Old Rugged Cross
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- When: Wednesday, April 2
- Where: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
- Tickets here
The legendary Emma Donovan is joined by pianist/composer Paul Grabowsky and some of Melbourne’s finest jazz musicians for a moving evening of hymns and gospel classics straight from Donovan’s own upbringing. Country meets soul in the powerful performances of This Old Rugged Cross, drawing from iconic songs of faith and her own musical legacy, channelling the soul of generations before and paying tribute to her grandfather, Micko Donovan, and the great Aretha Franklin.
Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp
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- When: Friday, April 4
- Where: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
- Tickets here
With over 20 years of collaboration, vocalist Katie Noonan and guitarist Karin Schaupp make a powerhouse creative duo. Now, the Aria-Award winners share their latest project, Songs of the Southern Skies, reimagining the music of Antipodean women like Aunty Ruby Hunter, Kate Ceberano and Missy Higgins through their own unique creative perspective.
Peter Combe in his Greatest Hits Show
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- When: Friday, April 11
- Where: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
- Tickets here
Take a trip down memory lane with the greatest hits of your childhood bard, Peter Combe. He’s packing 40 years of feel-good family friendly sing-alongs into one show. Supported by his backing singers, the Fabulous Combettes, it’s a performance stacked with childhood throwbacks that made him a beloved star, from Wash Your Face in Orange Juice and Toffee Apple to Newspaper Mama. One for the kids and kids at heart – because you’re never too old to feel young again.
Allison Russell
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- When: Tuesday, April 15
- Where: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
- Tickets here
Allison Russell is more than a self-taught legend and Grammy Award-winning artist. This activist and multi-instrumentalist creates an emotional blend of blues, folk and soul for a genre that’s all her own. For her show at the Melbourne Recital Centre, she’ll be joined by her Rainbow Coalition Band, musicians of black, queer, POC and historically marginalised identities, with Mo’Ju as a support act.
Claire Chase: Sex Magic
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- When: Wednesday, April 16, Thursday, April 17.
- Where: Primrose Potter Salon
- Tickets here
Claire Chase is a flautist with a contemporary edge, mixing flute with electronics and kinetic percussion to push the capabilities of this classical instrument. Sex Magic, by Australian composer Liza Lim, explores themes of women’s power and the womb, interpreted here through Chase’s groundbreaking, genre-pushing style. Marshall McGuire will lead a post-show talk with Chase about her career and creativity.
RY X
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- When: Thursday, April 24 & Saturday, April 26
- Where: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
- Tickets here
Grammy-nominated, gold and platinum multi-instrumental artist RY X performs in Melbourne for the first time in over a decade. Vulnerable and raw, yet refined and masterful, his vocals and instrumentation have captivated audiences globally, racking up over a billion streams and leading to sell-out shows and collaborations with John Legend, Diplo and Drake. Expect the haunting beauty and emotion of this acclaimed vocalist to shine in these intimate shows. RY X will be supported by Indigo Sparke.
GIFT
- When: Monday, April 28
- Where: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
- Tickets here
An echo of the silent film era, remade for the postmodern age. This collaboration between multi-instrumentalist Eiko Ishibashi and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi tells the story of a father and daughter and the collision between their peaceful natural idyll and the march of human industry and development. The cinematic story unfolds with a live musical performance, creating a dynamic experience that weaves sound and vision together in a captivating, refreshing form. This work has received acclaim at Vancouver International Film Festival, Lincoln Center, and HAU Hebbel am Ufer in Berlin.
The Melbourne Recital Centre April program runs from April 1 to 28. For the full program, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Melbourne Recital Centre.
