Arrive in Brisbane and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including a private transfer to the hotel, accommodation before or after the tour or a room category upgrade.

At 15:30, join your tour leader Christopher Lawrence for a welcome briefing and talk about this evening’s performance.

Enjoy an early dinner with Christopher and fellow travellers before attending a concert featuring some significant early operatic arias in the Bel Canto style. Works by Monteverdi, Gesualdo, Strozzi and other leading composers of the time are brought back to life by five solo singers accompanied by cello and harpsichord.

ARTISTS
Louise Prickett – Soprano
Madeline Gibbs – Soprano
Eleanor Adeney – Alto
Tomasz Holownia – Tenor
James Fox – Bass

(D)

This morning, attend a private, expert-guided tour of the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. Explore the creative works of 70 artists, collectives and projects from more than 30 countries, including first-time exhibitors from Saudi Arabia, Timor-Leste and Uzbekistan.

Afterwards, embark on a leisurely cruise on the Brisbane River and enjoy lunch on board while admiring some of Brisbane’s landmarks such as the Story Bridge, Brisbane Powerhouse and Newstead House.

Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

(BL)

Begin today with a pre-performance talk by Christopher before enjoying a special Bel Canto ‘long lunch’. Curated by Australian culinary icon Stefano de Pieri, this exclusive operatic and gourmet event includes a three-course meal and drinks inspired by Queensland culinary delights and vocal music.

This evening, walk to the Cathedral of St Stephen in Brisbane City for a performance of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle (Little Solemn Mass). Witness conductor Richard Mills lead an ensemble of instrumentalists, vocal soloists and choir, along with Anna Grinberg and Liam Viney, two of Australia’s most accomplished pianists.

ARTISTS
Richard Mills – Conductor
The University of Queensland Chamber Singers
The UQ Singers
Lumens Chamber Choir
Anna Grinberg – Piano
Liam Viney – Piano
Graeme Morton – Organ

(BL)

After breakfast, enjoy a pre-performance talk by Christopher on this afternoon’s performance.

In the afternoon, transfer to the QPAC Concert Hall for a performance of Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella) and be immersed in a fairy tale of love prevailing against mischiefs. Directed by Laura Hansford and conducted by Richard Mills, Rossini’s work features Mara Gaudenzi as Angelina (Cinderella) and Petr Nekoranec as Don Ramiro, alongside a strong cast of Opera Queensland singers.

CAST
Angelina (Cinderella) – Mara Gaudenzi
Don Ramiro – Petr Nekoranec
Dandini – Samuel Dundas
Don Magnifico – James Roser
Alidoro – Shaun Brown
Clorinda – Sarah Crane
Tisbe – Hayley Sugars

After the performance, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner with Christopher and fellow travellers.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, travel insurance (highly recommended), a room category upgrade and private airport transfers.

(B)