Expect a varied and extraordinary collection of intimate events at Melbourne Recital Centre in May
If you’re smart, like us, you’ve been using Melbourne Recital Centre’s calendar as your personal curation tool for finding unbelievable talents and unique pieces of entertainment.
If you have, strap in for the month of May, when things get very diverse in Primrose Potter Salon. Sounds from around the globe will pay us a visit to create new versions of very old songs, and we cannot wait for it. Here’s what you can expect to see and hear…
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Jane Austen’s Music
- When: Saturday, May 4th, 3pm & 7pm
- Where: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
- Tickets here
Step into the enchanting world of Jane Austen with another part of Melbourne Recital Centre’s Exquisite Classical Experiences series. Jane Austen’s Music dives into the romance, drama, and melodies of 18th and 19th-century rural England, where Austen’s literary brilliance bloomed.
If you are heading along, you are encouraged to immerse yourself in the era’s charm by dressing up as your favourite Austen character. The music of iconic Austen film adaptations like Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Sense and Sensibility will be delivered via the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Purcell, all echoing the elegance of Austen’s world.
After the concert, you can stick around for a lively discussion with performers Rachael Beesley and Aura Go, where they will unravel the music’s intricacies and dive deep into the essence of Austen’s era. This is your true entertainment apex if you’re a classical music enthusiast and an Austen fan.
Olivia Chindamo & Matthew Sheens
- When: Saturday, May 11th
- Where: Primrose Potter Salon
- Tickets here
Try an evening of New York jazz with former Aussies, Olivia Chindamo and Matthew Sheens, who will be stripping things down for an intimate performance at Primrose Potter Salon.
With Olivia’s captivating vocals and Matthew’s masterful piano skills, you’ll journey through the Great American Songbook, moving from a swing to a ballad. There will be plenty of songs you know, but also some you don’t, as the duo perform their new original compositions. Grab a wine from the bar, and settle in for some of the finest chilled jazz available in May.
Nat Bartsch Quartet – Busy/Quiet
- When: Friday, May 17th
- Where: Primrose Potter Salon
- Tickets here
With Busy/Quiet, you can experience the mesmerizing sounds of Melbourne Recital Centre’s Artist in Residence Nat Bartsch. Nat’s music is a unique blend of post-rock, ambient, jazz, and neoclassical that is truly as interesting as that concoction sounds.
Busy/Quiet is Nat’s tribute to the resilient women and musicians who persevered through the pandemic. Awarded Best Jazz Work, this piece is a powerful journey through the ups and downs of life, reflected in Nat’s signature minimalist style. Nat will also perform selections from her quartet albums and debut a new piece reflecting our post-pandemic world.
Charles Maimarosia
- When: Saturday, May 18th
- Where: Primrose Potter Salon
- Tickets here
Pop over to the Solomon Islands with Charles Maimarosia, who visits Melbourne from the remote Pipisu village, bringing a blend of tradition and modernity via his soul-stirring melodies.
Maimarosia shares the beauty of Solomon Islands culture, combining folk, world music, and contemporary pop with heartfelt lyrics that delve into themes of love, identity, and the wonders of nature. His skilful guitar playing and soulful vocals beautifully complement traditional instruments like pan flutes and bamboo percussion, truly blending tradition, innovation, and Maimarosia’s evocative storytelling.
The Boite – The Music Between
- When: Friday, May 24th
- Where: Primrose Potter Salon
- Tickets here
Misagh Zamani, Ria Soemardjo, Vinod Prasanna, and Rosa Voto are known as the Four I’s, and if there is one thing they love, it’s connecting their diverse musical backgrounds in unique and terrific ways.
Melding influences from Iran, Indonesia, India, and Italy, these four artists will blend their traditions with Misagh’s mastery of 16 instruments, Ria’s haunting vocals, Vinod’s soulful bansuri melodies, and Rosa’s fusion of Italian and Mediterranean styles.
This musical fusion shows the hidden connections within their legacies while creating an uplifting and unforgettable performance that shows why different cultures should always collide in art.
Genevieve Lacey & Marshall McGuire – Wishing Songs
- When: May 30th, 6pm & 8pm
- Where: Primrose Potter Salon
- Tickets here
End the month in a spellbound state thanks to Genevieve Lacey and Marshall McGuire, a duo praised for their inquisitive creativity. In May, they will cover 17th-century English classics and contemporary compositions from their award-winning album Bower. The goal will be to celebrate composers from Australia and beyond, and Genevieve’s recorder mixed with Marshall’s enchanting harp will do this in very fine fashion.
Melbourne Recital Centre’s May program runs from the 2nd to the 31st. For the full program, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Melbourne Recital Centre.
