Viva Violin
An enchanting evening of music by Mendelssohn and Rossini, featuring Queensland’s own Catherina Lee home from Vienna for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.
Concert Hall, QPAC
Saturday, 5 August 2023, 7pm
This performance has passed.
Empire Theatres, Toowoomba
Friday, 4 August 2023, 7pm
This performance has passed.
Classical music lovers and new admirers alike will delight in this enchanting evening with the familiar classics of Mendelssohn and Rossini, joined by special guest, violin soloist Catherina Lee.
Rossini may have written mostly for opera, but the vitality and humour of his work has been embraced by popular culture unlike any other opera composer. His famed Barber of Seville Overture opens the performance, diving straight into a work that showcases Camerata’s vigour and energy with one of the most exciting and best loved works in the repertoire. With its frenetic and lively melody, this impassioned piece has featured alongside many cartoons, film, and television, from Bugs Bunny to Mrs Doubtfire (1993).
Camerata will then perform two of Mendelssohn’s most renowned and treasured compositions, his Violin Concerto and Italian Symphony. Both highly recognisable, from the captivating violin pyrotechnics of the Violin Concerto to the dramatic and intense Italian Symphony, having been popularised through television and film.
For Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, Camerata will joined by Queensland-born violinist, Catherina Lee who has been described as “one of the most gifted and promising violinists to have emerged from Australia in recent decades”. Catherina is embarking on a solo career in Europe, having appeared with numerous orchestras including the Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, the Vienna Ensemble, the Junge Philharmonie Wien, and she recently made her debut at the Konzerthaus, Vienna. Catherina possesses a special and unique musicianship that has a poignancy and sensitivity that place her in a league of her own.
A delightful evening of beloved classical music for chamber orchestra all with Camerata’s trademark passion, without a conductor in sight.
Catherina Lee is one of the most gifted violinists to have emerged from Australia. She possesses exceptional musicianship with a unique charm, poignancy, and sensitivity that place her in a league of her own. Leading conductor Marin Alsop recently commented, “I am hugely impressed. Catherina is a beautiful violinist and musician.”
Performing without a conductor, Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra proudly takes full ownership over their music-making in the spirit of chamber music, resulting in engaging, passionate, and exciting performances. A two-time Helpmann Award nominated ensemble, and recently a finalist in the Art Music Awards for Excellence in a Regional Area (2022), Camerata is known for innovative and adventurous programming, thriving on collaborations with artists across a range of artforms.
