Arrive in Melbourne on suggested 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, pre-tour accommodation and a room category upgrade.

At 18:00, join tour leader Christopher Lawrence and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and talk at the hotel, followed by dinner.

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Begin the day with a pre-performance talk by Christopher on the coming days’ performances. Then, enjoy a curated tour of the Potter Museum of Art, home to the University of Melbourne’s Art Collection. Encompassing more than 18,000 works from antiquity to contemporary practice, the collection reflects diverse cultures, histories and artistic perspectives from Australia and around the world.

Following an afternoon at leisure, walk to the historic Regent Theatre and delight in Opera Australia’s new production of La Bohème. This revamped production stars soprano Valeria Sepe as Mimì alongside tenor Paride Cataldo as Rodolfo.

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Today, drive to the Yarra Valley to follow in the footsteps of Dame Nellie Melba, once the most famous soprano in the world. Enjoy a private tour of Melba’s cottage and garden and delve into her extraordinary life. Enjoy lunch in the historic estate’s restaurant, Melba’s restored motor house with its original chiming clock tower.

In the evening, walk to Hamer Hall for a concert of Brahms’s rarely performed German Requiem by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Jamie Martín and joined by renowned Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel.

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After a morning talk by Christopher, enjoy a private, guided tour of historic Como House and Garden in South Yarra. Built in 1847, Como House features an unusual mix of Australian Regency and classic Italianate architecture, and its surrounding garden preserves many original elements of its 1850s design.

In the evening, walk to the Southbank Theatre and enjoy a stage performance of A Room with a View, presented by the Melbourne Theatre Company. Adapted by Grace Chapple from the novel by E.M. Forster and directed by Hannah Goodwin, the production features rising star Nathalie Morris, known for her role in the Australian comedy-drama Bump.

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Today is at leisure to relax or further explore Melbourne at your own pace.

In the early evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with Christopher and fellow travellers before this evening’s performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Performed by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, together with the internationally renowned pianist Konstantin Shamray, this all-Beethoven program includes his evocative Pastoral Symphony, Beethoven’s tribute to the natural world.

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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 and travel insurance (strongly recommended).

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