Ensemble Vinifera Showcases Women Composers

Ensemble Vinifera performs in the popular Prelude in Tea series at the Independent Theatre, North Sydney with The Female of the Species, highlighting the work of women composers spanning the early 19th century through to the present day.

The featured work is Ensemble Vinifera’s first commissioned work from Sydney composer Jessica Wells.

Vinifera will also be performing works by contemporary American composer Libby Larsen as well as the legendary Nadia Boulanger, Rebecca Clarke, Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel.

Ensemble Vinifera comprising cellist Andrew Wilson, violist Ella Brinch and clarinetist John Lewis was created in 2013 by several Sydney musicians who regularly perform together in the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Based around a core group of viola, cello and clarinet, Vinifera metamorphoses as required, to perform anything from solo Bach to octets for mixed winds and strings.

The ensemble is inherently flexible, playing music from a wide variety of eras, genres and national backgrounds across a broad palette of instrumental combinations.

The musicians particularly enjoy bringing less frequently seen groupings, composers and works to Australian audiences.
The founding members have studied and performed throughout Australia, the UK, Europe and North America covering the broad spectrum of chamber, symphonic and operatic repertoire.

Guest artists for this concert include Christina Wilson (mezzo-soprano), Ewan Foster (violin),
Lisa Osmialowski (flute) and Azumi Lehmann (harp) with Alan Hicks (piano).

The programme:
Rebecca Clarke Morpheus / Libby Larsen Trio in Four Movements/ Fanny Mendelssohn Piano Trio Op.11 in D minor/
Jessica Wells (New Commission) / Clara Schumann Three Songs /Nadia Boulanger Four Songs

Tickets (incl afternoon tea): $47 adult | $30 conc | $22 student |$16 children
Bookings ph: 02 9955 3000 or on-line at www.theindependent.org.au