It’s on again, 7 – 9 November 2025! The only interstate (just) music festival that we at Classic Melbourne feel compelled to tell you all about. With Sally-Anne Russell and her partner in musical merriment, Mario Dobernig, it is bound to be the most convivial and fun time for all – a superlative time, in fact. This year, there is another lineup of excellent musicians from south of the border (mainly) to present programs for lovers of fine classical music and jazz.
An outstanding singer is generally featured in the program, and this year it is the super busy Timothy Reynolds, who seems to be the go-to tenor as soloist and/or Evangelist in most of the Bach Passions being performed across Melbourne this Easter.
Other distinguished featured artists joining Timothy, Sally-Anne and Mario include pianists Joshua Han and Kevin Tamanini, Living Legend Jessie Vonk, Narrator Sara Brodie, violinists Sophia Kirsanova and Madeline Jevons, violist William Newbury, cellist Molly Kadarauch, double bassists Michael Fortescue and Sam Anning, vocalist Susan Ferguson with pianist Mark Ferguson, super dynamic flautist Eliza Shephard, plus Natasha Fernside – clarinet, Scott Marshall – oboe, John Foster – trumpet, Shaula Salathe – Celtic harp, David Macfarlane – organ, and Edward Higgs and Michael Evans-Barker on percussion. There will also be several choirs performing: the Lux Alba chamber choir – directed by soprano Rebekah Beall, the choir of St Matthew’s Church, Cantabile from The Scots School Albury, and Trinity Anglican College Choirs.
It’s wonderful to see so many Australian composers being featured: Ross Edwards, Ciara Ferguson, Mark Ferguson, John Foster, Stuart Greenbaum, Brett Jones, Frederick Septimus Kelly, Peter Leech, Jodie O’Regan and Shaula Salathé.
Below, is an introduction to the Festival followed by an abbreviated outline of the program for Session 1. There are two Sessions at different times. More information can be found on the Festival’s comprehensive website.
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“From 7-9 November, we are thrilled to present the Albury Chamber Music Festival 2025, entitled ‘Superlative Times’.
“It is with enormous pleasure that we present gifts for the forthcoming Albury Chamber Music Festival season, which is appropriately themed SUPERLATIVE TIMES.
“Embark with us on a journey to an era of opulence, beauty, wonder, and magnificence. You shall be surrounded by elegant ballrooms, stately buildings, and exquisite gardens, as we weave a musical tale of delight and enchantment.
“We are channelling the spirit of Bridgerton and Downton Abbey. There will be cupcakes on the lawn. Simply put, entertainment awaiteth thee at every turn. “Queen Sally-Anne I of Albury and Lord Mario will guide you through the festival weekend, while our resident director, Lady Sara, all the way from across the pond, will oversee the theatrical elements, bringing our performances to life with her expert direction and vision.
“Hasten to obtain your all-inclusive FESTIVAL PASS which shall grant access to ten thrilling performances across the three-day party season. You will be treated to four splendid venues, including the beautiful deco heritage-listed Regent Cinema, St Matthew’s Church, and the jewel in the crown, the Adamshurst ballroom. A sumptuous three-course dinner (valued at $100) at the exclusive Albury Club shall be accompanied by our salon orchestra, and all of this is included in the one pass.
“We hope you will be amused and thrilled by our superlative selection of musicians, composers and entertainers. We look forward to meeting you in Albury – it will be most enchanting indeed!”
SESSION 1
Friday, 7 November
“Performance 1, The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace – Karl Jenkins 2:00pm-3:00pm, St Matthew’s Church
“In times of struggle, music offers solace and hope. This powerful work, commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum and dedicated to the victims of the Kosovo crisis, explores the descent into war, balanced by moments of reflection. It highlights the devastating impact of conflict, while ultimately offering a message of hope for a peaceful future.
“Join us for the opening of the 2025 Albury Chamber Music Festival as we celebrate the transformative power of music with this Mass for Peace. Let this beautiful work remind us that, even in difficult times, hope and healing are always within reach.”
Performance 2, The Queen’s Diamond Ball – Gala Dinner 6:00pm-9:00pm, The Albury Club
“Delight in a sumptuous feast with entertainment provided, games and fun are guaranteed. In previous years, we have enjoyed unicorn dances, a real alpaca, Maltesers races and limerick competitions, so perhaps a poetry slam will be in order this time. Kitchen utensils may also feature in Brett Jones’ world premiere of Dinner Music.”
Performance 3, The Royal Plucker: Lady Shaula and her Celtic Harp 9:30pm, St Matthew’s Church
“Celtic kings considered the harp their royal instrument, symbolizing their authority and connecting them to their cultural heritage. It was used in courtly ceremonies and celebrations to reinforce their power and prestige. Lady Shaula will weave her magical web spinning Celtic folksongs by O’Regan, Salathé, Enya and many more, all surrounded by candlelight!
“In preparation for this performance we kindly ask you to say “Pheasant Plucker” ten times.”
Saturday 8 November
Performance 4, The Australian Orgelmeister – Organ Recital David Macfarlane 9:00am-10:00am, St Matthew’s Church
“David Macfarlane is the only Australian to have studied both harpsichord and organ as first study instruments at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Alongside his expertise in Australian compositions, German and French Romantic music, Baroque and Renaissance works, David has also held significant roles in church music, including Director of Music at churches with prominent music programs. This concert program is David’s musical biography.”
Performance 5, Living Legend – Suprema Ballerina Jessie Vonk 10:45am-11:45am, Regent Cinemas Albury
“Born in 1941 in Pullach, near Munich, Jessie rose to fame as a Baby Ballerina with the Borovansky Ballet (early Australian Ballet), before becoming a Prima Ballerina in Germany, Paris, England, and Amsterdam. She will share her stories from the stage and her life with her husband, Dutch conductor Hans Vonk, former Chief of the Dutch Radio Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, and Staatskapelle Dresden.
“High tea information: Jessie can still do the splits at the age of 84.”
Performance 6, The Prodigy – Joshua Han, piano 3:00pm-4:00pm, St Matthew’s Church
“In this all-Chopin program international competition winner Joshua Han will have you searching for superlatives on superlatives. Be ready for the ultimate experience!
“High tea information: in his free time Joshua enjoys studying towards medical degree…”
Performance 7, More beautiful than before: The Radish and the shoe and other real tales 5:00pm-6:00pm, Adamshurst Ballroom
“The characters, a Radish, a Shoe and a group of Letters, all reside inside a book which they call their home. One day a pair of scissors attacks the book, destroying the characters’ home, leaving them completely despondent. However, they pick themselves up and repair their book, and in the process inadvertently transform their ‘home’ into something more beautiful than before. The story is cleverly analogous with survival in the real world and one that has always rung resonances with the composer’s philosophical approach to life.
“Andrew Perkins (libretto by Louise Jalbert) The Radish and The Shoe
“Songs by Peter Warlock, Ivor Gurney, John Ireland, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Frederick Septimus Kelly”
Sunday 9 November
Performance 8, The Prince of Albury – Festival Service 9:00am-10:30am, St Matthew’s Church
“Join us for our esteemed festival service, a distinguished tradition with a unique and unorthodox spirit, led by the Prince of Albury, Fr. Peter Macleod-Miller. And there will be three world premieres!”
“Johann Sebastian Bach: Bleibt ihr Engel, bleibt bei mir BWV 19
George Frideric Handel: Eternal Source of Light Divine
Ciara Ferguson: world premiere
Peter Leech: Festival Te Deum – world premiere
Brett Jones: world premiere”
Performance 9, Lost love: Songs of a Wayfarer – Gustav Mahler 12:00pm-1:00pm, St Matthew’s Church
“Mahler’s autobiographical song cycle, written as a response to his unhappy love to soprano Johanna Richter, reflects on the composer’s journey through unrequited love, heartbreak and search for solace.”
“Gustav Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of A Wayfarer)
Ross Edwards: Water spirit song
Stuart Greenbaum: Variations for solo violin
Reinhold Glière: Pieces for violin and cello, op. 39
Gustav Mahler: Piano Quartet in A minor”
The little Cupcake 1:15pm-2:00pm, Adamshurst Ballroom
“Join us for cupcakes and other treats in the Adamshurst Garden (adjourning to the Adamshust Carriageway if the weather is poorly), and be serenaded by the border’s own Moodemere String Quartet.”
Performance 10, Bridging Past and Present –The Australian Songbook reimagined 3:00pm-4:00pm, St Matthew’s Church
“Get ready to experience a fresh take on the timeless tunes we all know and love! Composer and jazz pianist Mark Ferguson has reimagined these classics with his unique arrangements, specially crafted for our festival.”
