Past Events

2025

Vivaldi's Spring
Vivaldi, Handel, Tchaikovsky and Praetorius

Sunday 28 September 2025 @ 2.30pm
St John's Anglican Church, 6 Church St, Mudgee, Australia

Experience the Camerata's vibrant music from the 1500s to today, which has thrilled audiences in Australia and overseas, in a concert for all ages. Delight in the virtuosity and splendour of selections from Vivaldi's Four Seasons, L'Estro Armonico, and Gloria, together with Handel's Concerti Grossi Op 6 and theatre music, Praetorius's 17th century dance music, the serenity of sacred music by Tchaikovsky, Campion and more* performed by Camerata Academica of the Antipodes.

Directed by musicologist-performer Imogen Coward, the concert features the Camerata ensemble and core soloists , Taliesin Coward (violin/voice), Christopher Porteous (violins), and Leon Coward (violin/voice) together with emerging artist and past Ryde Eisteddfod winner Justin Shenouda (cello) and soprano Ngaire Kirwan whose previous appearances as soloist/chorister include with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Joubert Singers, Vox, Polyphony and the Welsh choir Cantorion.

*programme subject to change without notice

Fire & Light
Vivaldi, Sarasate & Corelli

Sunday 31 August 2025 @ 4pm
St Alban's Anglican Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St Epping, Sydney, Australia

From Vivaldi to Sarasate and beyond, thrilling bravura showpieces of the Baroque, Renaissance and Romantic eras await you on Sydney 31 August, with Camerata Academica of the Antipodes chamber orchestra and ensemble’s concert Fire & Light.

Dubbed 'musically combustible' by Criticks UK for the ensemble’s blendof talent, scholarship and vibrant performances, the Camerata’s Fire & Light features* the fascinating Vivaldi La Cetra Op9 No3 (selections), spectacularly virtuosic **Sarasate Gyspy Airs (Zigeunerweisen)** in a special arrangement created for the Camerata, and the tour-de-force of solo and ensemble playing of the famous Corelli La Folia – based on the arrangement by Baroque superstar and pupil of Corelli, Geminiani . Intricate, intense and at times hauntingly beautiful vocal works for four and five voices, and ensemble by Morley, Campion and Faure come together in a concert not to be missed.

Directed by musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward, Fire and Light features the Camerata ensemble and core soloists Sophia Clark (cello), Taliesin Coward, Christopher Porteous (violins), and Leon Coward (piano/violin) together with emerging artist and past Ryde Eisteddfod winner Justin Shenouda (cello) and soprano Ngaire Kirwan, who will also be touring with the Camerata to Mudgee NSW this September. The Camerata is joined by guest artist, tenor Joshua Woodward, well known to local audiences for his many music theatre and dramatic roles, spanning classics from My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof and Shakespeare’s Tempest, to contemporary productions of Sleeping Beauty and more.

Reflecting the Camerata’s and guest artists’ ethos of supporting music making for youth in Australia, profits from this concert will support the work of the Australian Children’s Music Foundation.

2024

Baroque Romantics
Vivaldi, Corelli & Wieniawski

Saturday 7 December 2024 @ 7pm
St Alban's Anglican Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St Epping, Sydney, Australia

Baroque and Romantic masterpieces by Corelli, Vivaldi, Wieniawski and more await you on 7 December, with Camerata Academica of the Antipodes chamber orchestra and vocal ensemble's concert Baroque Romantics.

Dubbed 'musically combustible' by Criticks UK for the ensemble’s blend of talent, scholarship and vibrant performances, the Camerata’s Baroque Romantics features selections from the Vivaldi Double Concertos including the spectacular Cello Concerto RV 531 and L'Estro Armonico Op3/8 for two violins, alongside the exquisite Corelli Christmas Concerto Op6/8. The ensemble's championing of performer-creators comes to the fore in the joyous Wieniawski Obertass Mazurka performed and arranged especially for the Camerata by resident 19th century expert Dr Taliesin Coward, and the serene French carol Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris in a new arrangement for the Camerata vocal ensemble.

Under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward, the concert features guest soloist, Ryde Eisteddfod winner and emerging young cellist Justin Shenouda, alongside Camerata core soloists Sophia Clark (cello), Taliesin Coward, Christopher Porteous (violins), and Leon Coward (piano/violin), and the Camerata chamber orchestra and vocal ensemble.

Baroque Unbound
Purcell, Vivaldi, Handel

Sunday 25 August @ 4pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St Epping, Sydney, Australia

Delight in the energy of Purcell's theatre music and Vivaldi's rarely heard violin concerto La Cetra Op.9 No.1 together with the rich splendour of Handel and more in this new programme by Camerata Academica of the Antipodes chamber orchestra and vocal ensemble under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward.

Praised for their "auditory feast of musical works" [Criticks UK], the Camerata's vibrant performances of music from the 1600s to today have thrilled audiences in Sydney, regional NSW and overseas since 2014.

The programme includes selections from Vivaldi's La Cetra, Handel's Water Music Suite 3, Purcell's theatre music, and music for piano by Australian composer Dr Leon Coward whose Chopin-esque style has delighted audiences in Australia and internationally.

Baroque Unbound features soloists Christopher Porteous (vln), Taliesin Coward (vln), Leon Coward (pno) and Sophia Clark (vlcl).

Beyond Baroque 2 - PYMBLE & CONCORD
Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Handel, Praetorius

Saturday 17 August 2024 @ 7pm
Pymble Uniting Church, 1 Livingstone Ave Pymble NSW 2073, Australia

&
Sunday 18 August 2024 @ 4.30pm
Point Church Anglican, 58 Brays Rd Concord NSW 2137, Australia

Experience the excitement of Vivaldi's and Handel's music for strings, the pulse of Praetorius' dances and lose yourself in the rich beauty of Tchaikovsky's sacred music in a new setting for string ensemble, in this intimate performance for all ages by Camerata Academica of the Antipodes.

Praised for their "auditory feast of musical works" [Criticks UK], the Camerata's vibrant performances of music from the 1600s to today have thrilled audiences in Sydney, regional NSW and overseas since 2014. In celebration of the Camerata's 10th anniversary this year, "Beyond Baroque 2" is presented by a select ensemble of Camerata soloists.

The programme includes selections from Vivaldi's L'Estro Armonico & La Cetra, Handel's Op6 No.5, Praetorius' Terpsichore, Tchaikovsky's sacred music (18 Aug) and music for piano (17 Aug) by Australian composer Dr Leon Coward whose Chopin-esque style has delighted audiences in Australia and internationally.

2023

Baroque Banquet
Vivaldi, Handel, Praetorius, Susato

Saturday 2 December 2023 @ 7pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St Epping, Sydney, Australia

The exciting blend of musical talent and scholarship of Camerata Antipodes returns to Epping, Sydney on Saturday 2 December 2023 with their latest programme: Baroque Banquet. Featuring Spicy venetian concerti from Vivaldi's La Cetra, paired with tasty Tudor morsels by Campion and more, lyrical delights by Handel & Leon Coward, and a light renaissance dressing of dance music by Susato and Praetorius, it's a musical feast for all ages. For the first time since 2019, the Camerata's vocal ensemble will also join the instrumentalists with a selection of airs and seasonal Christmas treats from the Middle Ages to today.

Praised for their “auditory feast of musical works” (UK, Criticks journal) under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward, the Camerata was formed in 2014 and brings together an ensemble of soloists, performer-researchers and emerging artists to create a powerhouse of talent, skill, inspiration, and sound with their vibrant repertoire of music from the 1600s to today, delighting audiences in Sydney, regional NSW and overseas.

Baroque Banquet features soloists Dr Leon Coward (violin/piano) Dr Taliesin Coward (violin), Christopher Porteous (violin) and Sophia Clark (cello).
Profits from this concert support the Australian Children’s Music Foundation

2022

Beyond Baroque:
Vivaldi, Handel, Tchaikovsky

Saturday 3 December 2022 @ 7pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St Epping, Sydney, Australia

The thrilling blend of music, talent and scholarship of Camerata Academica of the Antipodes returns to Sydney with a new concert Beyond Baroque featuring selections from the virtuosity and splendour of Vivaldi’s L’estro armonico and Handel’s Concerti Grossi Op.6, together with Praetorius’s seventeenth century dance music and the serenity of Tchaikovsky’s sacred works in new arrangements.* The programme also features music for piano and strings by Australian composer Dr Leon Coward whose Chopin-esque style has delighted audiences in Australia and internationally.

Praised for their “auditory feast of musical works” (UK, Criticks journal) under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward, the Camerata was formed in 2014 and brings together an ensemble of soloists, performer-researchers and emerging artists to create a powerhouse of talent, skill, inspiration, and sound. 2021-22 saw the ensemble embark on recording a new album, to be released in 2023, of their vibrant repertoire of music from the 1600s to today which has delighted audiences in Sydney, regional NSW and overseas.

Beyond Baroque features soloists Laura Chung (violin), Dr Leon Coward (violin/piano) Dr Taliesin Coward (violin), Christopher Porteous (violin) and Sophia Clark (cello).

2019

A Baroque Christmas:
Corelli Christmas Concerto
Holst - Grieg
Vivaldi Concertos for Violin

Saturday 7 December 2019 @ 7pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St Epping, Sydney, Australia

Delight in the joyous virtuosity of Corelli's Christmas Concerto, Vivaldi's violin concertos, and the rich beauty of music for voices and strings by Purcell, Holst, Grieg and more, performed by the soloists and ensemble of Camerata Academica of the Antipodes.

Dubbed "musically combustible" (Criticks UK) for their scholarship, talent and artistry, the Camerata celebrates the 2019 festive season with a new programme of their signature blend of music from across the centuries, under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward.

Programme* includes Corelli's Christmas Concerto, selections from Vivaldi's La Stravaganza Op.4, Purcell's theatre music, Holst's carol "In the Bleak Midwinter", and Grieg's Nordic Melody in a new arrangement specially created for the Camerata.

Baroque Delights:
Corelli, Vivaldi, Telemann & Purcell

Saturday 25 August 2019 @ 7pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St Epping, Sydney, Australia

Revel in the charm of Handel's Alcina (selections), the sparkling brilliance of Vivaldi's violin concertos and the beauty of Purcell's and Telemann's music for theatre, alongside works for voice and strings from the Baroque and beyond, performed by the soloists and ensemble of Camerata Academica of the Antipodes.

Dubbed "musically combustible" (Criticks UK) for their scholarship, talent and artistry, the Camerata returns to Sydney in 2019 with a new programme of their signature blend of music from across the centuries, under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward.

Programme* includes selections from Handel's Alcina, Vivaldi’s Concertos from L'Estro Armonico and Op.12, Purcell's Theatre music, and Telemann's works for strings.

2017

Christmas Concerto
Corelli, Vivaldi, Telemann & Purcell

Saturday 2 December, 2017 @ 7pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St Epping, Sydney, Australia

Experience the joyous celebration that is Corelli's Christmas Concerto, be caught up in the pure excitement and flair of Vivaldi's Concertos for 4 violins Op.3, and revel in the beauty of music by Telemann and Purcell, and works for vocal ensemble and strings from the Baroque and beyond.

The Camerata instrumentalists and singers will be joined by baroque cello specialist Jemma Thrussell, returning from her studies in Bremen (Germany), to perform the thrilling La Folia of Corelli-Geminiani, together with the Camerata ensemble and director Dr Imogen Coward.

Mudgee: Mozart, Purcell, Telemann

Sunday 24 September, 2017 @ 2.30pm
St John's Anglican Church MUDGEE NSW
cnr Market & Church Sts, Mudgee, NSW, Australia

Hailed for their “auditory feast of musical works for string instruments and voice” (Criticks UK May 2016), Camerata Academica of the Antipodes return to Mudgee to perform an afternoon concert of vocal and instrumental music from the Baroque to the present including by Mozart, Purcell and Telemann.

Bravura: Mozart, Nachez & Vivaldi

Sunday 27 August 2017 @ 3.30pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St, Epping, NSW, Australia

Experience the elegance and charm of Mozart's Violin Concerto in G (selection), the brilliance of Vivaldi's concertos from L'Estro Armonico and Op. 12 and the thrill of Nachez' Gypsy Dances for violin and orchestra, as well as works for voice and orchestra
performed by the Camerata's talented soloists and ensemble.*

The concert will also feature new music for piano from resident composer, Leon Coward, whose recent work on the Canadian short film 2BR02B: To Be or Naught To Be (dir. Marco Checa Garcia) has enjoyed extensive international success.

2016

Four Seasons & Gypsy Airs

Saturday 10 December 2016 @ 7pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St Epping, Sydney, NSW

Experience the Baroque brilliance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons ‘Summer’ and Bach's Double Violin Concerto (selections), alongside the 19th century splendour of Faure's Cantique de Jean Racine and Sarasate’s Gypsy Airs for Violin and Orchestra performed by our resident arranger and 19th century violin specialist Tal Coward.

Guest soloist Ngaire Kirwan joins us to perform the sublime Quia Respexit aria from Bach’s Magnificat. In addition to her Camerata appearances, Ngaire’s past performances include with the welsh choir Cantorion, Joubert Singers, Pacific Opera and the Sydney Philharmonia Choir.

Mozart, Purcell, Handel
Vivaldi Four Seasons "Summer"

Sunday 25 September 2016 @ 2.30pm
St John's Anglican Church MUDGEE NSW
cnr Market & Church Sts, Mudgee, NSW, AUSTRALIA

Hailed for their “auditory feast of musical works for string instruments and voice” (Criticks UK May 2016), Camerata Academica of the Antipodes return to Mudgee to perform an afternoon concert of vocal and instrumental music from the Baroque to the present.

The Programme features Mozart's arias, Purcell's vocal and instrumental music, as well as the elegance of Handel's Water Music, and selections from Vivaldi's arias and concertos including Summer from the Four Seasons.

Vivaldi - Purcell - Telemann
with guest artist
Kimberley Scriven (recorder)

Sunday 21 August 2016 @ 3.30pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St, Epping, Sydney, Australia

Hailed for their “auditory feast of musical works for string instruments and voice” (Criticks UK May 2016), Camerata Academica of the Antipodes celebrates their second anniversary this August with a special programme of music from the Baroque to the present, featuring the adventurous music of Vivaldi, the elegance of Handel and the intricacy of Purcell and Telemann and more.

Under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward the programme* includes selections from Vivaldi’s La Stravaganza and the beautiful aria “Non so donde viene” from Olimpiade, Purcell’s Tempest and Abdelazar, as well as Handel’s instrumental and vocal music, and the thrilling Suite in A for recorder by Telemann.

The programme features soloists from the Camerata together with guest artist, Kimberley Scriven who is known for her virtuosic recorder performances. Originally from the NSW Riverina, Kimberley has been honoured with several awards and scholarships for both music performance and community involvement, and she is the 2015 winner of the prestigious SCM Historically Informed Performance Concerto Competition.

Corelli, Vivaldi, Telemann & Wieniawski's Legende for Violin

Sunday 15 May 2016 @ 3.30pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St, Epping, Sydney Australia

The internationally recognised Sydney chamber orchestra Camerata Academica of the Antipodes begins the 2016 season with their signature blend of music from across the centuries, including of vocal and instrumental music from the Baroque to the present day, under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward.

Programme* includes Corelli Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No.7 (selections), Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.3 No.6 from L'Estro Armonico, Handel arias, Telemann's Viola Concerto and the stunning 19th century virtuoso violin work Wieniawski's Legende, in a new arrangement specially created for the Camerata.

2015

Corelli, Purcell, Mozart & Vivaldi’s “Spring” from The Four Seasons

Saturday 5 December 2015 @ 7pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St, Epping, Sydney, Australia

The Dubbed “musically combustible” for their exciting mix of scholarship, talent and entertaining variety of repertoire (Criticks UK), the internationally recognised Sydney chamber orchestra Camerata Academica of the Antipodes, present a programme* of vocal and instrumental music from the Baroque to the present day, under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward.

Programme includes Vivaldi’s Concerto for 4 Violins Op.3 No.10 L’Estro Armonico, Spring from The Four Seasons, Domine Deus from his Gloria, as well as Mozart's motet Ave Verum Corpus (performed by chamber vocal ensemble), aria Non piu andrai from Marriage of Figaro and selections from Corelli's Christmas Concerto. They are joined by soprano Ngaire Kirwan.

Handel, Bach, Mozart & Vivaldi’s “Spring” from The Four Seasons

Sunday 27 September 2015 @ 2.30pm
St John's Anglican Church, Mudgee, NSW

The Sydney-based chamber orchestra Camerata Academica of the Antipodes presents an afternoon performance of vocal and instrumental works, under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward. The programme* will include Bach’s Air on G (suite in D Major, BWV 1068), Handel’s arias Lascia ch’io Pianga (Rinaldo), V’adoro Pupille (Giulio Cesare), Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus (performed by chamber vocal & instrumental ensemble) and Vivaldi’s “Spring” from The Four Seasons.

Guest Lecture:
Dr Francis Yapp
(University of Canterbury, Christchurch)

"French musical aesthetics in the Parisian continuo sonata"

Wednesday 30 Sept, 2015 @ 7pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St, Epping, Sydney, Australia

Calling all music teachers, students, performers, scholars and early music enthusiasts! Visiting baroque specialist, cellist Dr Francis Yapp, joins us to present an evening guest lecture for the local music community, on his research into the Parisian continuo sonata. Of particular interest to strings and continuo players, the talk explores how this most Italian of all genres, found a uniquely French aesthetic in the mid 18th century. Full abstract

Handel - Vivaldi - Wieniawski - Gluck

Sunday 23 August 2015 @ 3pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St, Epping, Sydney, Australia

Celebrating their first anniversary, and a year of sell-out and internationally recognised performances, Camerata Academica of the Antipodes will present an afternoon concert. Under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward, together with her brothers Taliesin and Leon Coward (of Coward Family and Friends concerts) the programme features both vocal and instrumental works including Bach’s famed Air on G (from suite in D Major, BWV 1068), selections from Gluck's opera Orpheus and Eurydice, selections from Handel’s operas and concertos, Vivaldi’s Double violin concerto no. 11 from L'Estro Armonico, Bach and Wieniawski.

Handel, Vivaldi, Telemann, G&S

Sunday 24 May 2015 @ 3pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St, Epping, Sydney, Australia

Following on from their sell-out and internationally acclaimed inaugural season last year, the chamber orchestra Camerata Academica of the Antipodes, under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward, together with siblings Taliesin and Leon Coward (of Coward Family and Friends concerts) will present an afternoon concert of vocal and instrumental works including Winter by Vivaldi, as well as selections from Handel’s Acis and Galatea, Porpora’s Cello Concerto in G, Telemann’s Viola Concerto, Gilbert and Sullivan and more. They are joined by guest artist, tenor Michael Handy, who won the coveted Oratorio prize in the Sydney Eisteddfod, and placed 2nd in Operetta last year. He has recently returned from Europe where he undertook studies in Berlin and Karlsruhe, and performed in a number of concerts and masses in Lindau and Breganz, Southern Germany.

2015 Season preview
with guest speaker
Timothy Harries

"Programming Music: Concert Programs and their Influence on Musical Experience"

Sunday 22 March, 2015 @ 3pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St, Epping, Sydney, Australia

Join Dr Imogen Coward and the members of the Camerata Academica of the Antipodes chamber orchestra as they kick off events for 2015 with a preview of what’s coming this season - including selections from Handel’s concerti - and a special guest lecture for the Sydney music community by guitarist-scholar Timothy Harries (USyd). Tim, an entertaining performer, teacher and researcher, will present an interactive talk (of particular interest for advanced students, teachers and performers), on his findings into how audiences’ perception of a performance is influenced by that ubiquitous element of modern performance practice: program notes.

2014

Corelli, Purcell, Bach, Nachez, G&S

Saturday 6 December 2014 @ 7pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St, Epping, Sydney, Australia

Following on from their sell-out and internationally acclaimed inaugural concert, the chamber orchestra Camerata Academica of the Antipodes, under the direction of musicologist-performer
Dr Imogen Coward, together with siblings Taliesin and Leon Coward (of Coward Family and Friends concerts) will present a programme of vocal and instrumental works including Corelli-Geminiani La Folia (prepared from the original score), Bach’s Chorale from BWV 147, selections from Purcell’s Abdelazar, as well as Nachez’ Gypsy Dance and works by Popora and Gilbert & Sullivan.

They are joined by guest artists the Filipino Chaplaincy Chatswood Parish (FCCP) Vocal Ensemble (who recently appeared at Sydney's Joan Sutherland Centre and the Chatswood Concourse as supporting artists for the Filipino Tenors), and mezzo-soprano, Catherine Bulfin (known locally for her Gilbert and Sullivan roles, most recently as Katisha in EUCMS' production of The Mikado).

Handel, Vivaldi, Purcell, G&S

Sunday 31 August, 2014 @ 3pm
St Alban's Church Hall, 3 Pembroke St, Epping, Sydney, Australia

The newly formed, chamber orchestra Camerata Academica of the Antipodes, under the direction of musicologist-performer Dr Imogen Coward, together with siblings Taliesin and Leon Coward (of Coward Family and Friends concerts) are joined by guest artists soprano Georgia Kokkoris and tenor Michael Handy in presenting a programme of exquisite music from Handel, Vivaldi, Purcell and Gilbert & Sullivan. Georgia (a former artist with Pacific Opera and Harbour City Opera) comes to this concert fresh from a sell-out season playing Carlotta in Willoughby Theatre Company’s Phantom of the Opera, and Michael is well known to local audiences for his leading roles in Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas at Savoy Arts, EUCMS and more. Both of these talented singers will shortly be heading off to Europe to further their musical careers and this concert is an opportunity to enjoy entertainment from young yet seasoned performers.

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