Arrive in Canberra on suggested Qantas flights 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 and pre-tour accommodation.

Tour arrangements commence at 15:30 with a welcome briefing and a pre-performance talk by your tour leader, Genevieve Jacobs.

This evening, attend the Opening Gala of the Canberra International Music Festival at the Fitters’ Workshop, a transformed heritage-listed building in the heart of the Kingston Cultural Precinct, featuring Mozart’s Turkish credentials performed by pianist Edward Neeman, and the world premiere of new works by composer Kate Neal and First Nations composer Brenda Gifford. The Australian Art Orchestra will be joined by the Golden Gate Brass Quintet.

PROGRAM:

Mozart – Piano Sonata Alla Turca K.331

Kate Neal – Fanfare (from Beaver Blaze, world premiere)

Brenda Gifford – The Elements (world premiere)

After the performance, return to the hotel for dinner.

(D)

This morning, attend a pre-performance talk by Genevieve followed by a performance in the Fitters’ Workshop of Schubert’s final and posthumously published string quartet. The Partridge Quartet and cellist James Morley recreate Schubert’s transcendent final statement, an embrace of life and death.

PROGRAM:

Schubert – String Quartet in C Major D.956

Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant followed by some time at leisure in the afternoon.

This evening, return to the Fitters’ Workshop for a special tribute to Mozart, including his flute quartet, followed by the legendary piano concerto No. 23, performed with the sound of clarinets instead of the traditional oboes, featuring the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra, and with Sally Walker on flute and Neal Peres da Costa on fortepiano.

PROGRAM:

Mozart – Flute Quartet in D Major K.285

Mozart – Piano Concerto in A Major No.23 K.488

(BL)

Start the morning with a performance by musicians from the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra of a Beethoven trio and septet by composer Franz Berwald, modelled on Beethoven’s septet that finally became a trio.

PROGRAM:

Beethoven – Trio for clarinet, cello and piano Op.38

Franz Berwald – Grand septet in B flat Major

After lunch at a nearby restaurant, enjoy a private guided tour at the National Gallery of Australia of the world-class exhibition, Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London, that presents 60 paintings by some of Europe’s most acclaimed artists, including Titian, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Velázquez, Goya, Turner, Renoir, Cézanne and Gauguin.

Return to the hotel, in the late afternoon; the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

(BL)

Today, begin with a pre-performance talk by Genevieve, and then enjoy a concert at Parliament House. Enjoy performances by First Nations didgeridoo virtuosos Delmae and William Barton, singers Daniel and David Wilfred, the Golden Gate Brass Quartet, clarinettist Jason Noble and Lorelei Dowling on bassoon.

PROGRAM:

Vincent Plush – Bakery Hill Rising

Delmae and William Barton – Welcome to the Great

Johannes MacDonald – new work for bass clarinet solo

Christopher Sainsbury – Red Kangaroo Standing

Olga Neuwirth – Torsion

Daniel and David Wilfred – traditional songs

Luke Styles – Solder

After the performance, take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of sections of Parliament House ordinarily closed to the public, before enjoying a special farewell lunch in the Members’ and Guests’ Dining Room, usually reserved for visiting dignitaries.

This evening, conclude the tour at the Fitters’ Workshop with a performance featuring the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra of Mozart’s piano quartet, considered the first major piece composed for piano quartet in the chamber music repertoire, and his renowned clarinet quintet.

PROGRAM:

Mozart – Piano Quartet in G Minor K.478

Mozart – Clarinet Quintet in A Major K.581

(BL)

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

(B)