fortyfivedownstairs in association with Coady Green presents
Chamber Music Festival 2025, 6 – 18 May 2025
With classical music festivals springing up all over Victoria it is great to see one that Melburnians don’t have to travel far to enjoy. And what a festival it is. Those who attended last year’s fortyfivedownstairs Chamber Music Festival know that pianist extraordinaire, Coady Green, will have curated a festival like no other. Spanning 12 days ensures there will be something for everyone, from Beethoven fans to opera tragics – Dimity Shepherd’s “Opera Closets” on May 13 promises to be especially fascinating. The media release below is long, but the detail is well worth including as it is bound to whet your appetite. Plus, it’s reasonably priced.
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“Patrons have often commented that the resonant acoustic and intimacy of fortyfivedownstairs makes it the ideal space for chamber music. Renowned pianist Coady Green certainly agrees, returning to program the third annual Chamber Music Festival, which features an astonishing lineup of musicians across 14 events from 6-18 May. The throughline of this year’s program is the genius of Beethoven, but regardless of your musical tastes, you’re sure to find something to pique your interest.”
“Tuesday 6 May – 7:30pm
An incredibly ambitious opening night program performed by Coady Green, Ian Munro, Justin Kenealy, Paul English, Antoinette Halloran, and the Divisi Chamber Singers.
Beethoven: Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus Opus 43, for piano four hands (arr. Carl Czerny) Coady Green, Ian Munro
Beethoven: Egmont Opus 84, for narrator, two pianos and soprano (arr. Carl Czerny), with Paul English, Antoinette Halloran, Coady Green, and Ian Munro
Liszt: Prometheus, Symphonic Poem No. 5, S. 639 for two pianos, Coady Green and Ian Munro
Scriabin: Prometheus, Poem of Fire for two pianos and trumpet, Coady Green, Ian Munro and Justin Kenealy, saxophone, Divisi Chamber Singers
“Wednesday 7 May – 7:30pm
A captivating reimagining of The Juliet Letters, the groundbreaking 1993 collaboration between iconic British singer-songwriter Elvis Costello and the acclaimed Brodsky Quartet. Described by Costello as “a song sequence for string quartet and voice… It’s a little bit different. It’s not a rock opera. It’s a whole new thing.” — this genre-defying masterpiece explores love, loss, and longing through an evocative blend of classical strings and contemporary lyricism.
Melbourne’s genre-bending string quartet, The Crossing Machine, joins forces with powerhouse vocalists Jordan Zdimirovic and The Voice finalist Annie Jones to breathe new life into this modern classic. Renowned for their dynamic performances and genre-spanning versatility, The Crossing Machine has captivated audiences across Australia with eight seasons of The Juliet Letters and now adds a fresh twist, featuring electrifying string arrangements of Fleetwood Mac favorites by acclaimed Australian composer Matthew Hindson.
“Thursday 8 May – 7:30pm
Violeta Parra’s Chile – A Musical Odyssey Through a Nation’s Troubled History
Journey into the heart of Chile’s rich and turbulent history in this captivating concert of music, poetry, and song. Virtuoso Chilean pianist Ricardo Roche Idini unites with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and composer Alejandro Vargas and singer Tash Vargas to explore the enduring legacy of Chile’s beloved folk icon, Violeta Parra.
Through haunting melodies and poetic lyrics, this performance captures the spirit of a nation—its beauty, resilience, and struggle. Discover music never before heard in Australia, including a breathtaking new arrangement of Luis Advis and Violeta Parra’s Canto para una Semilla for piano and two voices. A kaleidoscopic fusion of passion, protest, and cultural heritage, this event promises to move Chilean and non-Chilean audiences alike.
Experience the heartbeat of Chile—raw, resonant, and unforgettable. Don’t miss this extraordinary evening of music and storytelling!
“Friday 9 May – 7:30pm
Prepare for a cosmic musical journey as internationally acclaimed pianists Coady Green and Jerry Wong join forces with Brent Miller and the Melbourne Conservatorium Percussion Ensemble to present Gustav Holst’s iconic masterpiece, The Planets, in a rarely heard, electrifying arrangement for two pianos and percussion.
Holst’s original two piano version bursts with rhythmic intensity, celestial grandeur, and raw power. With the thunderous pulse of Holst’s groundbreaking percussion section brought to life by Miller and his ensemble, this performance is a breathtaking fusion of virtuosity and sonic spectacle.
An unforgettable odyssey through the cosmos—bold, visceral, and utterly captivating. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear The Planets as you’ve never heard it before!
“Saturday 10 May – 4pm
Beethoven Marathon Part One
Beethoven’s WORLD – MUSIC, MYSTERY AND MASTERPIECES
Before diving into The Parlour’s Immortal Beloved, begin your evening with a rare and electrifying performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 (called “the apotheosis of dance” by Wagner) and Piano “Emperor” Concerto No. 5, heard in the brilliantly virtuosic four-hand arrangements by Beethoven’s pupil, Carl Czerny. Enjoy these iconic works (both performed by Coady Green and Ricardo Roche Idini), step out for dinner, and return for an evening of theatrical and musical storytelling.
“Saturday 10 May – 7:30pm
Musicologists often overlook the crucial role that women played in shaping the legacies of great composers, yet they were the keepers of letters, diaries, and the famous Salons that influenced the artistic world. Through the fascinating lens of Caroline Unger, a celebrated singer who premiered Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and worked closely with Schubert, Liszt, Goethe, and the Grimm Brothers, The Parlour unpacks Beethoven’s life and music like never before. Acclaimed actor and director Melanie Hillman brings Unger to life, alongside baritone Adam Miller and mezzo-soprano Karen van Spall. Illuminating Beethoven’s world and revealing his connections with Schubert and beyond, this unique fusion of music and drama delves deep into the personal and artistic struggles of one of history’s greatest composers.
“Sunday 11 May – 5pm
Mozart & Beethoven: Masters of Revolution – A Symphony and a Sonata
Experience two of classical music’s most revolutionary works in a dazzling evening of virtuosity and passion.
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, Eroica—a masterpiece that shattered musical conventions—takes on new life in a breathtaking quartet arrangement by Ferdinand Ries, Beethoven’s close friend, student, and secretary. This rarely heard version transforms the full symphony into a chamber music tour de force, demanding fearless virtuosity and intricate interplay from its performers. Acclaimed musicians Sophie Rowell (violin), Caroline Henbest (viola), Josephine Vains (cello), and Coady Green (piano), breathe fire and brilliance into Beethoven’s groundbreaking work.
Complementing the Eroica is Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D major, K. 448—a work of exquisite beauty and profound depth. This sonata’s luminous dialogue between two pianos not only showcases Mozart’s mastery of melody and form but also holds a fascinating link to Beethoven himself. The young Beethoven admired Mozart’s music, and some musicologists hear echoes of K. 448 in Beethoven’s early piano compositions. Performing this masterpiece will be pianists Coady Green and Kevin Tamanini, delivering a performance brimming with elegance, energy, and symphonic grandeur.
“Tuesday 13 May – 7:30pm
Step into a world where every outfit tells a story, and every story soars with song. In Opera Closets, multi-award-winning Australian mezzo-soprano Dimity Shepherd weaves an original theatrical cabaret that celebrates resilience, transformation, and the unexpected twists of life, revealing how dressing up and singing became her solace and salvation. Accompanied by the dynamic ensemble The Persephone Project, featuring Michelle John (cello), Hope Csutoros (violin), and Phillipa Safey (piano). Don’t miss an unforgettable evening where music, storytelling, and style collide in vibrant harmony.
“Wednesday 14 May – 7:30pm
Lyric Opera Presents: Their Voices Will Rise
Prepare for an electrifying evening of world premieres and daring musical narratives. Australian rising star Meta Cohen unveils a thrilling and major new song cycle Kiss My Sword. With a libretto by Evan Bryson, this fiercely queer reimagining of history plunges into the untamed world of Julie d’Aubigny—the 17th-century opera singer, swordswoman, and unapologetic rebel. A lover of women, a defeater of men in duels, and a trailblazing performer, d’Aubigny’s story blazes across the stage – this opera explores her mythologisation and the multiplicity of stories about her. Scored for soprano, mezzo-soprano, and piano, this premiere promises a powerful fusion of drama and desire. Being developed into a forthcoming full-scale opera production by renowned dramaturg/director Alyson Campbell, this daring work is a major new addition to the classical Australian art song repertoire.
Alongside Kiss My Sword, the evening features Sally Whitwell’s luminous song cycle (He)art Songs—a deeply personal exploration of love, identity, and resilience, written for tenor and piano with texts by Whitwell and Alex Gorbatov. The program concludes with Kevin March’s compelling Songs for Dark Times, a raw and urgent outcry for our era, set to the evocative words of Brecht, Rilke, and Bachmann.
With an internationally renowned cast bringing their talents to three exciting song cycles – mezzo-soprano Jessica Aszodi, soprano Breanna Stuart, soprano Livia Brash, tenor Alex Gorbatov and pianist Coady Green, and hosted by Lyric Opera Artistic Director Patrick Burns, this is an unmissable night where music ignites the stage, queer voices break boundaries, and stories are told with unflinching truth.
“Thursday 15 May – 7:30pm
Beethoven – Czerny – Liszt: Piano Duets & Songs
Coady Green and Glenn Riddle unite for a rare and dazzling program of piano four-hand gems from Beethoven, his pupil Carl Czerny, and Czerny’s own legendary protégé Franz Liszt. This rich musical lineage is further illuminated by Fanny Mendelssohn’s rarely performed duets, offering a fresh perspective on 19th-century piano repertoire. Joining them is internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Sally-Anne Russell, bringing to life exquisite songs by Beethoven, Czerny, Liszt, and Mendelssohn. A stunning journey through the vocal and pianistic artistry of the era.
“Friday 16 May – 7:30pm
The Institute for Enquiring Minds Presents: Michael Leslie – Bach, Chopin, Beethoven, Schumann
The Institute for Enquiring Minds is an educational initiative helping high school students experiencing disadvantage improve their maths skills. For the third year running, the Institute of Enquiring Minds is delighted to present a living legend of Australian pianism, Michael Leslie returning from Germany for a deeply personal and masterful recital. Leslie is a force of nature at the piano, bringing decades of wisdom, intensity, and artistry to this extraordinary program.
From the luminous counterpoint of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in F-sharp minor, through the poetic fire of Chopin’s Polonaise in F-sharp minor, to Beethoven’s mystical and radiant Sonata Op. 101, this is a program of profound depth and emotional range. After the interval, Leslie unleashes the full Romantic spirit in Schumann’s Sonata in F-sharp minor, Op. 11—a work of soaring lyricism, passion, and virtuosity.
“Special Offer – For a truly unforgettable musical journey, join Michael Leslie again on Saturday 17 May as he joins Coady Green for a monumental two-piano performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in Liszt’s staggering arrangement. Click HERE to book for both concerts and receive a special package discount.
“Saturday 17 May – 4pm
Beethoven Marathon Part Two
Beethoven’s 5th and 6th Symphonies for Piano Four Hands
Begin your Beethoven odyssey with two of his most beloved symphonies – the stormy, fate-driven 5th and the pastoral, sun-drenched 6th – in the dazzlingly virtuosic four-hand arrangements by Beethoven’s own student, Carl Czerny. A thrilling and intimate way to experience these masterpieces, this matinee concert (performed by Coady Green & Ricardo Roche Idini) is the perfect prelude to the epic 9th Symphony later in the evening. Join us, then step out for dinner before returning for the grand finale!
“Saturday 17 May – 7:30pm
Liszt’s two-piano arrangement of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
The Institute for Enquiring Minds is an educational initiative helping high school students experiencing disadvantage improve their maths skills. For the third year running, the Institute of Enquiring Minds is delighted to present a living legend of Australian pianism, Michael Leslie returning from Germany for a deeply personal and masterful recital. Leslie is a force of nature at the piano, bringing decades of wisdom, intensity, and artistry to this extraordinary program.
“Sunday 18 May – 5:00pm
Duo Eclettico – Justin Kenealy (saxophone) and Coady Green (piano) are joined by the one the Australia’s leading actors, Helen Morse, for the world premiere of Linda Kouvaras’ complete A Gwen Harwood Cycle. Written as a one-woman stage vehicle for Helen Morse and Duo Eclettico, A Gwen Harwood Cycle explores the life and work of this powerfully honest artist, arguably one of Australia’s finest poets. The piece explores the inequalities implicit in gender stereotyping of the time, some of which continue today, and highlights the inventive ways that Harwood and other women artists attempted to transcend or subvert the limitations of patriarchy. This new work was commissioned and produced with the generous support of City of Melbourne, and Creative Victoria.”
TICKETS
Tuesday to Saturday 7:30pm; Saturday 4pm; Sunday 5pm
ticket price: $32 – $49 + booking fee
bookings: 03 9662 9966
To purchase tickets for any of the events, just click the title. For package deals to see three or more concerts, click on the following links:
Three concert package – $21 off full price tickets
Four concert package – $33 off full price tickets
Five concert package – $40 off full price tickets
Beethoven marathons – $10 off full price tickets
Michael Leslie package – $10 off full price tickets
Image Credit: Coady Green, promotional image for the Chamber Music Festival by Cameron Grant
