Australian Brandenburg Orchestra to transport audiences to Spanish Steps

The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra will transport audiences to Rome’s Spanish Steps when it performs with special guest musician, Canadian American cellist Elinor Frey in her Australian debut for the first concert series of 2023, Spanish Steps.

The concert’s rich program explores Italian composers and their affinity with Spain in an era of cultural enlightenment. The concerts will take place at Sydney’s City Recital Hall from 24th February – 10th March 2023 and Melbourne Recital Centre from 2nd – 5th March 2023.

Playing seldom performed works by Boccherini and Sammartini, guest performer Elinor Frey will reveal her astounding artistry, playing two separate cellos throughout the concert including the violoncello piccolo, an instrument rarely performed live. She will be joined onstage by the full orchestra led by Paul Dyer on the harpsichord, against a vibrant stage by designer Alexander Berlage reflecting the meeting of Spanish and Italian Baroque.

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Co-founder and Artistic Director Paul Dyer enthused “we are so excited to be joined on stage by Elinor Frey in February for what will be her debut Australian performances. Elinor is such a spectacular musician, one I have wanted to bring to Australia for quite some time, and this program will really show off the rich and wondrous sounds of two different period cellos by way of rarely-performed works by Boccherini and the Australian première of Sammartini’s Concerto for piccolo cello.

“We've once again enlisted award winning designer, Alexander Berlage to work on this production, and we plan to really immerse the audience in a fiery, Spanish-inspired world. It will be a riveting way to start the year for the Brandenburg!”

City Recital Hall, Sydney

• Fri, 24th February, 7:00 PM

• Sat, 25th February, 2:00 PM

• Sat, 25th February, 7:00 PM

• Wed, 8th March, 7:00 PM

• Fri, 10th March, 7:00 PM

Melbourne Recital Centre 

• Thu, 2nd March, 7:00 PM

• Sat, 4th March, 7:00 PM

• Sun, 5th March, 5:00 PM

PROGRAM

• Boccherini La musica notturna delle strade di Madrid, Op. 30 No. 6, G 324

• Boccherini Cello Concerto No. 9 in B-flat major, G 482

• Boccherini Fandango from Guitar Quintet No. 4 in D Major, G 448

• Sammartini Cello Concerto in C major

• Boccherini Allegro assai con moto from La Casa del Diavolo, Symphony in D minor, Op. 12 No. 4, G 506

Discover more at www.brandenburg.com.au/

Image: Elinor Frey. Credit: Antoine Saito