Two women and one man pose for a picture holding a violin, cello and cymbol.

Light and Matter

3 August 2024

In the Utzon Room

Classical Music

Ethereal, spiritual, transcendent… whatever you prefer to call it, the music of Light and Matter responds to experiences beyond our physical world.

The technical and expressive demands are devilish, handled expertly by seasoned musicians.

Sydney Morning Herald

Experience music that is out of this world

Joined by soprano Jane Sheldon, Sydney’s musical mavericks Ensemble Offspring return to the Utzon Room with Light and Matter, an intimate program of mystical and virtuosic chamber music. 

Led by renowned percussionist Claire Edwardes OAM, Ensemble Offspring have been leading the way in Australia and the world for over a quarter of a century, commissioning and championing living new music which focuses on gender equity and emerging voices. A devotion to daring new music making has seen the group premiere over 300 new works including two as part of Light and Matter by Australian composers Bree van Reyk and May Lyon. 

Recently departed Finnish icon Kaija Saariaho gives the program its namesake with a trio capturing the continuous transformation of natural light and Georges Aperghis' Wild Romance pits Jane against the ensembles instrumentalists in a virtuosic flurry of sonic excitement.

Pre-concert talk

You're invited to arrive early for a pre-concert talk from 5:40-6:10pm, taking place in the Utzon Room. ABC Classic's Genevieve Lang will interview composer Bree van Reyk and EO's Jason Noble on Bree's new work for the program, Remnant Magnetism, and discuss Saariaho's Light and Matter with pianist Jack Symonds.

Presented by Ensemble Offspring

A close up of a white woman singing

Artist information

Claire Edwardes Artistic Director, percussionist
Jane Sheldon soprano
Lamorna Nightingale flutes
Jason Noble clarinet, bass clarinet
Jack Symonds piano
Véronique Serret violin
Blair Harris cello
Bree van Reyk percussion
Andrew Jezek viola
Benjamin Opie oboe

Other information

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