A clarinet melody, rising like the sun from shimmering strings. Five of Australia’s most brilliant musicians. Works beloved and new from an age of discovery, emotion and light.

ARCO’s ‘The Sunrise’ takes in a sweep of classical quartets, including the buoyant Mozart K.157, the melancholy Cavatina from Beethoven’s Op.130, and a brilliant new ocean-inspired work by Brisbane composer Nicole Murphy. At the pinnacle is Haydn’s ‘Sunrise’ quartet in a sparkling 18th-century clarinet arrangement by Vincenzo Gambaro, an Italian clarinetist and entrepreneur who arranged pieces by his friends Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart to highlight the clarinet’s lush tones.

‘The Sunrise’ brings five principals from the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra into the intimacy of chamber music, including co-artistic directors and long-time musical friends Rachael Beesley (violin) and Nicole van Bruggen (clarinet). They’re joined by Alison Rayner (violin), Stephen King (viola) and Natasha Kraemer (cello) – all nationally and internationally acclaimed experts in historically informed performance. Meet all five musicians and their instruments up close over Talk & Tea, a new audience opportunity held before or after every concert.

Bask in the luminous sonorities of rare historic instruments and music. Connect deeply with a panorama of emotions. Experience ‘The Sunrise.’

QLD VOYAGE of MUSICAL DISCOVERY

We’re also bringing our acclaimed Voyage of Musical Discovery education programs to schools in Brisbane, Sunshine Beach, Maryborough and Bundaberg! Pairing Mozart with a brand-new work by Brisbane composer Nicole Murphy, they’re perfect for high schoolers. Book your school now.

The Sunrise tour is proudly supported by Arts QLD, the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, Bundaberg and Maryborough Regional Arts Development Funds. The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Bundaberg Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

ARTISTS

Members of Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra

Nicole van Bruggen | Clarinet
Rachael Beesley | Violin
Alison Rayner | Violin
Stephen King | Viola
Natasha Kraemer | Cello

PROGRAM

HAYDN String Quartets arranged by Vincenzo Gambaro as Clarinet Quartet No.1 in B flat major

MOZART String Quartet No.4 in C major, K.157

BEETHOVEN Cavatina from String Quartet No.13 in E flat major, Op.130

NICOLE MURPHY Wavelength for historical basset clarinet and string quartet (2024 - world premiere commission)

TALK & TEA - what is it?

Talk & Tea is your chance to meet our musicians (and their beautiful historic instruments) up close! Held just before or after each concert, with drinks available, Talk & Tea is an informal session where you can learn a bit about the program, ask questions and chat with us and your fellow audience members! And it’s completely free.

WAVELENGTH - NICOLE MURPHY

On this tour we’ll also be playing a brand-new commissioned piece by Brisbane composer Nicole Murphy, for historical strings and basset clarinet. There are only two of these instruments in Australia, and this is the first piece written for it since Mozart’s time!

‘Wavelength’ was inspired by the ocean, its gorgeous shades of blue and green, the waves of light that produce it and sound waves that create music.

OLD MUSEUM BUILDING, BRISBANE

Thursday 29 August | 7.00pm
+ post-concert Talk & Tea | 8.15pm
480 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills

THE EVENTS CENTRE, CALOUNDRA

Friday 30 August | 7.00pm
+ pre-concert Talk & Tea | 6.00pm
20 Minchinton Street, Caloundra

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, NOOSA

Sunday 1 September | 3.00pm
+ post-concert Talk & Tea | 4.15pm
115 Eumundi Road, Noosaville

ST STEPHEN’S UNITING CHURCH, MARYBOROUGH
with special guests Maryborough State High School String Orchestra

Tuesday 3 September | 6.00pm
+ post-concert Talk & Tea 7.30pm
25 Sussex St, Maryborough

CHRIST CHURCH ANGLICAN, BUNDABERG

Thursday 5 September | 7.00pm
+ pre-concert Talk & Tea | 6.00pm
59 Woongarra St, Bundaberg Central