Benaud Trio: Ornamental

Shining a spotlight on an often-forgotten composer.

Benaud Trio is one of Australia’s finest and most-loved chamber ensembles. Since coming together more than 15 years ago, they have established themselves as formidable performers of the major repertoire and works by Australian composers and are well-known for their outrageous pop-inspired encores.

About the concert

While Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn were as prodigious musicians as one can imagine, Fanny was regularly left standing in her brother’s shadow. Felix’ talent was celebrated, while their father declared Fanny’s musicianship to be an ornament to her domestic life.

This performance title Ornamental celebrates the life, the music, and the relationship between these two great composers.

Opening with the Melbourne premiere of Anne Cawrse’ Songs Without Words, this unapologetically lyrical piece was composed for the trio in 2020, while Fanny Mendelssohn’s substantial and dramatic Trio Op.11 rounds out the afternoon of music.