Horn calls, lilting clarinet and rich strings – the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra returns to regional Queensland with sparkling chamber music from an age of elegance. Bohemian Dreams soars from joyful Mozart to the freshness of Bohemian composers like Franz Krommer and Giovanni Punto, performed on rare period instruments with historically informed performance (HIP).

Hear some of Australia’s most brilliant musicians, and meet them over Talk&Tea. Celebrate local community orchestras. Dive into the music at the pre-concert Voyage of Musical Discovery talk. 

Be transported by the evocative sounds of natural horn, clarinet, violin, viola and cello. Discover new stories. Sail away on Bohemian Dreams.

MEET THE MUSICIANS at TALK&TEA

Every concert on the tour ends with our beloved tradition of Talk&Tea: a relaxed space where you can meet and chat with our musicians over a cuppa and free Austrian sachertorte (cream cake) – true Bohemian indulgence! Join us.

DREAMING OF BOHEMIA

We’ve all heard of the term ‘Bohemian’ – meaning exotic, out-of-the-ordinary, bursting with creativity and independence.

And in fact, the original Bohemia was a little like that! A large region in the west of what is now the Czech Republic, Bohemia (and its capital city Prague) eventually became part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, but maintained its rich, unique culture. Described by Charles Burney as ‘the conservatory of Europe,’ in the 18th and early 19th centuries it was teeming with brilliant composers and musicians: Stamitz, Reicha, Dussek, Krommer and Jan Václav Stich, a virtuoso horn player who changed his name to the Italian Giovanni Punto when he began his European career.

Anton Stadler, the Bohemian clarinettist who inspired Mozart’s iconic clarinet works, was affectionately described by his friend as “the miracle of Bohemia”.

So what sets Bohemian music apart? Rhythmic and harmonic audacity, creative innovation and brilliance, perhaps inspired by a dreamy landscape of hills and forests. Come to Bohemian Dreams, and hear for yourself!

ARTISTS

Musicians of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra

Nicole van Bruggen | Clarinet
Emma Gregan | Horn
Holly Piccoli | Violin
Stephen King | Viola
Darrin McCann | Viola
Natasha Kraemer | Cello

PROGRAM

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Clarinet Quartet in B flat major, Op.79 No.1, Allegro moderato

Giovanni PUNTO (Jan Václav Stich) Quartet in F major, Op.18 No.1, Allegro maestoso

Franz KROMMER Quintet in B flat major, Op.95

Franz SCHUBERT String Trio in B flat major, D.471

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Horn Quintet in E flat major, K.407

Michael HAYDN Divertimento in E flat major, P.111, Polacca

NATURAL HORN

Horns are ancient instruments – but the coiled tube of brass had a golden age in the early 18th century, when performers realised that as well as inserting different “crooks” to change the basic length (and key), they could also change individual notes by moving their hand inside the bell.

The sound of a natural horn is unlike any other – wild, evocative, thrilling. Explore it here, and meet ours up close at Bohemian Dreams!

PLANT EMPIRE, BRISBANE

Friday 21 August | 7.00pm (concert + Talk&Tea)
15/55 Lofter Street
Tennyson QLD 4105

GYMPIE SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE

Saturday 22 August | 1.30pm (Voyage + Concert + Talk&Tea)
with Cooloola Community Orchestra
40 Mellor Street
Gympie QLD 4570

THE EVENTS CENTRE, CALOUNDRA

Sunday 23 August | 1.30pm (Voyage + Concert + Talk&Tea)
with Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra
20 Minchinton Street
Caloundra QLD 4551

ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, ROCKHAMPTON

Friday 28 August | 7.00pm (concert + Talk&Tea)
with Rockhampton Youth Orchestra
75-79 William Street
Rockhampton QLD 4700

ST LUKE’S PERFORMANCE CENTRE, BUNDABERG

Saturday 29 August | 1.30pm (Voyage + Concert + Talk&Tea)
with Bundaberg Youth Orchestra & Bella Canna Quintet
4 Mezger Street
Kalkie QLD 4670

BROLGA THEATRE, MARYBOROUGH

Sunday 30 August | 12.30pm (Voyage + Concert + Talk&Tea)
with Maryborough State High Strings
5 Walker Street
Maryborough QLD 4650