UKARIA's Chamberfest presents Dead Poets Society on 3 October 2026, featuring mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, soprano Siobhan Stagg, and pianist Jonathan Ware performing Schubert, Britten, Debussy and others. The program includes the Australian premiere of Dinuk Wijeratne's The…
UKARIA's Chamberfest series presents Dead Poets Society on Saturday 3 October 2026 at 2:30 PM. The concert explores music as a communicative tool, storytelling through centuries, and the unique capacity of the human voice as an instrument. The 1 hour 45 minute program (including a 25-minute interval) spans from Schubert's intimate lieder to contemporary works, examining what distinguishes the voice from other instruments and the risks inherent in vocal expression.
The performance features British mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston alongside sopranos Siobhan Stagg and Rachel Fenlon, pianist Jonathan Ware, and string quartet Quatuor Agate. The first half centres on Schubert's Gretchen am Spinnrade and other songs, followed by the Australian premiere of Dinuk Wijeratne's The Disappearance of Lisa Gherardini, inspired by the 1911 Mona Lisa theft. Quatuor Agate won the prize for best performance of this piece at the 2022 Banff International String Quartet Competition.
The second half, curated as Rachel Fenlon's Mix: Echoes and Apparitions, showcases Fenlon accompanying herself on piano while singing and reciting her own poetry. The concert closes with Debussy's Ariettes Oubliées in a special string quartet arrangement. Tickets: Adult $80, Concession $75, Under 40 $40.
Details are correct at the time of publishing. Events can change or be cancelled, so please confirm dates, times and prices with the venue or ticket seller before booking.
