Helyard Replaces Sollima Early In Musica Viva Tour

Musica Viva Australia has announced that cellist Giovanni Sollima who was due to tour with mandolin player Avi Avital, has recently contracted COVID-19 and is unable to fly to Australia in time for his September concerts.

Here’s wishing Giovanni Sollima a speedy recovery and a rapid return to the stage to rejoin the tour if possible.

Taking his place for performances in Melbourne, Newcastle, Brisbane, Lismore and in Sydney’s first concert on 26 September will be Erin Helyard (harpsichord), the Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera and Orchestra of the Antipodes.

Over the last decade, Avi and Erin have developed an exciting musical partnership, full of shared energy and creative passion. Both passionate performers, they’re also masters of the baroque repertoire, bringing to it a unique sense of vitality and panache. Together they’ll explore their shared passion for the baroque in a program celebrating masters such as Bach, Vivaldi, Scarlatti, framed by stories of Avi’s first encounters with this vibrant, often sublime body of work. It will be a conversational, intimate musical experience.

No action is required from existing ticket holders. Information about a refund please click here or contact the box office at [email protected] to organise an exchange.

Please see below for the updated program:

Avi Avital, mandolin

Erin Helyard, harpsichord

SCARLATTI Sonata in D minor, K. 90/ VIVALDI Trio Sonata in G minor, RV 85/ JS BACH Sonata in G major, BWV 1019/ VALENTINI Sonata in A minor/ VIVALDI Trio Sonata in C major, RV 82

And a selection of Avi’s favourite works for mandolin solo.