The annual arts extravaganza kicks off this Saturday with Riverfire, with its accompanying fireworks and pyrotechnics displays, and the ever popular aviation displays and flyovers.
One of the most popular additions to the program in recent years has been Brisbane Serenades; a series of mini-festivals within the festival, and will see a smorgasbord of live music events heading out of the CBD and back to the ‘burbs.
The highlight of Brisbane Serenades promises to be Voices in Vic Park, a free family concert on Sunday September 18 set amongst the Herston hills, with the Victoria Park treetops framing the backdrop of the Brisbane CBD.
With a lineup boasting some of Brisbane’s best jazz, cabaret and classical performers, concertgoers will soak in the sounds of the QYO Big Band, and take a trip to tinseltown with former Ten Tenor Luke Kennedy belting out Hollywood and Broadway showstoppers alongside Irena Lysiuk.
Rounding out the show will be some of Opera Queensland’s most accomplished vocalists, including Tania Ferris and Carlos Barcenas, performing with Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra.
Brendan Joyce is the artistic director of Camerata, and told 96five that he was excited to be taking their music to a wider audience during the Brisbane Festival.
“As much as I adore playing in a beautiful, acoustically rich concert hall, I also really love playing outside, which funnily enough is not as easy for a classical musician to do because of the relationship we have with the space we perform in.
“But Brisbane has such a beautiful climate and we’re all really looking forward to being outdoors in the beautiful area that is Victoria Park. This concert will give people not just the chance to enjoy some amazing music, but to enjoy those incredible views of the city from the park.”
Brendan also said that the concert is not only a great option for families, but for music lovers – whether they’ve been exposed to a lot of classical music or not.
“Camerata will be accompanying some of Opera Queensland’s top voices, as they perform some of opera’s greatest hits, but it’s a real mixed bag of music on this program.
“There’s nothing in the lineup that isn’t less than thoroughly entertaining for all ages, because as well as the classical and operatic components, you also have those great sounds from the Queensland Youth Orchestra Big Band, and the more contemporary style of The Little Red Company’s Luke Kennedy and Irena Lysiuk.”
“Voices in Vic Park will actually be a really wonderful concert to bring kids to as all the pieces of music are short, and the show has been designed to be accessible and to appeal to all ages – this is a concert designed for babes in arms all the way through to 100 year olds!”
And are there any special pieces that Brendan is excited to be sharing with the audience?
“I’m going to be playing the Mediation from (the opera) Thais on solo violin along with the orchestra. That piece was written by the French composer Jules Massenet, but we will also be performing a special piece by Brisbane composer John Rotar.
“So there’ll be a bit of Brisbane flavour in there as well; it’s always wonderful to play new music by our compatriotes.”
Voices in Vic Park takes place as part of the Brisbane Festival, on Sunday September 18 in Victoria Park, Herston. Pack a picnic rug and enjoy some beautiful sounds in the beauty of Brisbane.
2pm Queensland Youth Orchestra Big Band
3.30pm Golden by The Little Red Company
5pm Opera Queensland with Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra
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