Every summer, Classic Melbourne’s attention is attracted to music-making further afield, especially as so many musicians leave town. We are keen to promote music-making in the regions, and in 2017 hope to cover more regional events in our review schedule. Organisers are justifiably proud of the programs they have in place for 2017, with the Peninsula Summer Music Festival celebrating its tenth year and happy to give us the full program to share with you.
The Festival is a showcase of Australian and international artists, with 20 events in a variety of venues on the Mornington Peninsula, including churches, wineries, and gardens.
Under the artistic direction of Julia Fredersdorff, the diverse program ranges from baroque music of 17th century England, France and Italy, gypsy melodies, piano recitals and contemporary jazz, to the intoxicating rhythms of South Africa, with a highlight being a pastoral opera by Handel.
Festival Artistic Director Julia Fredersdorff said it’s hard to believe that what started as a 3-day, 6-concert gathering of kindred spirits (both on stage and in the audience) has grown to play such a vital part in the cultural life of the Mornington Peninsula.
“This year we present a cornucopia of musical offerings, from the (unjustly) little-known Scottish Songs of Beethoven to the renegade stylings of the Australian Guitar Trio, via joyous South African jive, the pinnacle of Romantic piano repertoire, and a swinging homage to the heyday of swing, stride and boogie,” says Fredersdorff.
“We welcome back some familiar faces, such as Sally-Anne Russell, Acacia Quartet and David Greco, and invite you to discover the rising talents of Kevin Suherman and Ensemble 642,” she said.
Thirty emerging and pre-professional talented musicians will spend a week at Toorak College in Mt Eliza learning from and performing with the world’s best during the Festival. “I am especially proud of the 2017 Festival Academy, which will perform Handel’s beloved pastoral opera Acis & Galatea in a suitably ‘al fresco’ setting,” said Ms Fredersdorff.
Peninsula Summer Music Festival At A Glance
Sunday 1 January – Klezmania Hair of the Dog at Lindenderry at Red Hill from 3pm
Monday 2 January – Cantate Amorosi at Hurley Vineyard, Balnarring from 6pm
Tuesday 3 January – Renegade Journey at Main Ridge Estate, Red Hill South from 6pm
Wednesday 4 January – The Noble Patron at Lindenderry at Red Hill from 5pm
Thursday 5 January – Glass at Port Phillip at Port Phillip Estate, Red Hill South from 6pm
Friday 6 January – Beethoven Scottish Songs at Elgee Park Gallery, Dromana from 5pm
Swing, Stride and Boogie at the Bakery at Red Hill Baker, Balnarring from 7:30pm
Saturday 7 January – Great Romantics at the Church of St John the Evangelist, Flinders from 11am
A Schubertian Delight at the Church of St John the Evangelist, Flinders from 3pm
Baroque Opera Gala on the Lawn of St John the Evangelist, Flinders from 7pm
Sunday 8 January – Duo Français at the Church of St John the Evangelist, Finders from 11am
De Profundis at the Church of St John the Evangelist, Flinders from 5pm
South African Jive on the Lawn of St John the Evangelist, Flinders from 7pm
Monday 9 January – Twilight Jazz at Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove, Red Hill South from 7pm
Wednesday 11 January – Notturno at Moorooduc Estate, Moorooduc from 5pm and 7pm
Thursday 12 January – Treasures of the High Baroque at Morning Star Estate, Mt Eliza from 7:30pm
Friday 13 January – Acis & Galatea on the Lawn of St John the Evangelist, Flinders from 7:30pm
Saturday 14 January – Acis & Galatea: Family Concert on the Lawn of St John the Evangelist, Flinders from 11am
Acis & Galatea on the Lawn of St John the Evangelist, Flinders from 7:30pm
Festival Details
Dates: Sunday 1 January – Saturday 14 January 2017
Venues: 10 diverse venues across the Mornington Peninsula
Tickets: separately ticketed events ranging from $15 – $140 and available online only
To view the Festival Program and to purchase tickets for all events please visit www.peninsulafestival.com.au. All tickets are sold via the online box office, for further support with your ticketing requirements please email boxoffice@peninsulafestival.com.au or call 0456 392 689.
