In 1622, a man who thought of himself as a military specialist and soldier, published a book of music for an instrument that he played as a hobby. Apparently Bellerofonte Castaldi loved to while the evening away playing his tiorba with his mates, noodling away on the latest popular songs. Born into a notable family near Modena, Castaldi's publication, engraved entirely by his own hand, gives us a precious insight into the private world of the 17th Century courtier, where the arts were a type of currency that garnered one favour. And where being a professional was considerably lower in rank.

Joined by colleague Meriel Owen on the baroque triple harp, Simon Martyn-Ellis presents a few select duets and solos from Bellerofonte Castaldi's Capricci a Due Stromenti, along with some works from Castaldi's Roman colleague Giovanni Girolamo Kapsperger. There's no mistaking the very unseriousness of the music, created over years surrounded by tall stories, excellent food and wine, and good friends.

For tickets, click on the link below:

Capricci a Castaldi

Spend a summer late afternoon with us at the stunning Runnymede and experience this special, short concert taking place in Runnymede's Music Room with Brett Rutherford and Simon Martyn-Ellis playing Viola de Gamba and Theorbo featuring the music of Marin Marais.

Marin Marais stands as a hidden gem in the world of Baroque music. This French composer from the court of Louis XIV left a mark on the musical landscape of the late 17th and early 18th centuries influencing generations of musicians and composers. His music, particularly for the viola da gamba, pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the instrument. He was the subject of the 1991 French film Tous les Matins du Monde which showed Marin Marais looking back on his young life when he was a student of the viol.

For tickets, click on the link below:

Runnymede Summer Concert Series - Brett Rutherford and Simon Martyn-Ellis

Notturno is proud to have been engaged to perform a special program for the Sydney Jewish Museum Musical Portraits series. From the Sydney Jewish Museum website…

Join us for a delightful evening of chamber music with Notturno, an ensemble of flute, viola, and guitar, that will take you to the cosy salons of pre-war Europe, to 19th-century Vienna, Paris, and Berlin.

Throughout the evening, the ensemble will also showcase selected compositions by emerging Sydney composers – each highlighting a unique Jewish figure chosen by the artist.

Don’t miss this incredible evening of music and storytelling, as part of the 2024 Musical Portraits series at the Museum.

A ticket to events within this series includes complimentary refreshments, as well as a pass to explore the Museum and all of our exhibitions from 6pm, before the show starts at 7pm.

Tickets can be purchased through the Sydney Jewish Museum website, by clicking this link: Musical Portraits: Notturno

World renowned lutenist, Simon Martyn-Ellis, presents an intimate recital of music written for the theorbo and baroque guitar from 17th Century France and modern Wales. Focusing on dance suites compiled by Robert de Visée and Francesco Corbetta, the concert presents the type of music that de Visée might have played for his patron and employer, Louis XIV. Frequently requiring him to play in his presence, be that in the gardens or his bedside, de Visée was truly there at the King's pleasure!

As a little aside, a charming suite of character pieces based on Chaucer's The Miller's Tale, from the Welsh composer Stephen Goss, rounds out the evening.

Don't miss this chance to catch an occasional member of lutruwita's own Van Diemen's Band stepping out solo and providing an entertaining and informative evening of music.

Click on the link below for tickets.

TICKETS.

Expectations were high for salaried composers during the Baroque period. Constant demands for new repertoire required inspiration and creativity as well as talent. Influence ebbed and flowed between composers, nations, styles and beliefs. Bach was inspired by his devoutness and his vast collection of other composers’ works; Handel reinvented himself between German, Italian and English styles, depending on where he was living and what was fashionable; Purcell loved theatrical spectacle; and Rameau was fascinated by the exploration of culture from abroad. In turn, our curious composers influenced generations of musicians to continually discover new horizons of musical creativity. See the program here.

Expectations were high for salaried composers during the Baroque period. Constant demands for new repertoire required inspiration and creativity as well as talent. Influence ebbed and flowed between composers, nations, styles and beliefs. Bach was inspired by his devoutness and his vast collection of other composers’ works; Handel reinvented himself between German, Italian and English styles, depending on where he was living and what was fashionable; Purcell loved theatrical spectacle; and Rameau was fascinated by the exploration of culture from abroad. In turn, our curious composers influenced generations of musicians to continually discover new horizons of musical creativity. See the program here.

Notturno presents their first program in 2024 - An dem Fluss (by the river) - at the lovely Glebe Town Hall.

Taking a cue from the primary work in this program, the Grand Trio pour Guitare, Flûte et Alto by Jospeh Kreutzer, Notturno look to presenting works from composers that lived and worked by Germany’s greatest river system, the Rhein and the Main.

Kreutzer lived most of his professional life in Düsseldorf, Beethoven was naturally the famous son of Bonn, Scheidler was employed in Mainz, but was forced to flee to Frankfurt when Mainz was laid under siege, and Küffner never seemed to escape his work at the provincial centre of Würzburg.

Apart from Beethoven, all these performer composers have escaped the attention of the modern music world, and it’s our great pleasure to bring them to you for an evening concert.

A recital of music from Baroque France for theorbo and baroque guitar, with works by Robert de Visée, Francesco Corbetta, and Stephen Goss.