Castalia Vocal Consort
Sean Moloney
“When a new vocal ensemble launches on the concert scene it is cause for celebration and when this group is as skilled and as musically delightful as Castalia Vocal Consort then concertgoers everywhere should take notice. The ensemble work was nothing short of astonishing” — ClassikON
Brianna Louwen, Soprano
Amy Moore, Soprano
Stephanie Dillon, Mezzo-soprano
Christopher Watson, Tenor
Louis Hurley, Tenor
Philip Murray, Bass
Castalia Vocal Consort – exquisitely uplifting voices for modern Australia.
Artistic team Amy Moore and Stephanie Dillon lead Castalia with a focus on beauty of sound and a fearless approach to repertoire old and new. With internationally and nationally acclaimed Australian singers, Castalia combines exquisite vocal artistry with dynamic programming.
Audiences of Castalia will hear our incredible artists in immersive, interesting and inspiring spaces, in experiences that provoke and delight. Working without a conductor, Castalia harnesses the incredible experience of our artists, performing avant garde repertoire alongside the most sublime music of the past.
Castalia combines the international and national experiences of our artists to contribute to, and enrich the professional vocal music landscape in Australia. Castalia aims to cultivate emerging talent and increase professional opportunities for musicians to aspire to in Australia.
Please note: artists and exact line-up subject to change
Sospiri
Songs of love, longing, and night-time wanderings
Castalia Vocal Consort presents a sublime program of music from the courts of the Italian Renaissance to the grungy laneways of NYC, alongside serenely beautiful night-time music. Renaissance composers Carlo Gesualdo and Claudio Monteverdi are known for their passionate and expressive madrigals, full of lust, longing and unrequited love. In this program they are complemented by contemporary works, including Australian composers Andrew Schultz and David Yardley. Their music could not be more contrasting; Schultz known for his modern approach and Yardley writing in a neo-mediaeval style. US composer Caroline Shaw, and British composers Howard Skempton and James Weeks each bring their own flavour of keenly-focused and sparing vocal writing, transcendentally beautiful and lacking nothing in their economy.
Join Castalia for a stunning concert of vocal music across the ages.
Arcadelt Il bianco e dolce cigno
Gesualdo Luci serene e chiare
Monteverdi Si, ch’io vorrei morire
Monteverdi Io mi son giovinetta
Weeks Dilectus meus
Schultz Ekstasis
Skempton Rise up, my love
Shaw Dolce cantavi
Gesualdo Mercè, grido piangendo
Sciarrino Rosso, rosso
Yardley Twilight on the Snow
Wilbye Draw on, sweet night
Trad. arr. Alnaes Jeg lagde meg sa silde
Skempton 4 by the clock
Monteverdi Rimanti in pace
Marenzio Nel dolce seno della bella Clori
Verdelot Ultimi miei sospiri
70 minutes no interval
6 music stands
Members of Castalia are happy to present a range of masterclasses and community workshops, including
-
Community choir workshop: vocal technique and improving ensemble skills for existing community choir
-
Open Masterclass for intermediate to advanced singers at university/conservatorium level: solo singing (Oratorio, New Music), small group ensemble singing (one voice-to-a-part)
-
Masterclass Workshop for small to medium choir
-
Composers’ workshop, working on and performing works for 4-6 singers
16 - 24 February 2024
12-30 June 2024
16-30 September 2024
Book an artist
Travel to centres in regional NSW is subsidised through the support of Create NSW. Musica Viva Australia can book the artists, arrange all travel and accommodation, provide posters, flyers and program information.
If you are interested in bringing an ensemble to your town or city, please contact:
Patrick Brearley
Manager, Regional Touring & Special Projects
02 8394 6662
Videos coming shortly