“the admired and admirable Halcyon…
peerless standards of performance… superbly secure singing.”
John Carmody Opera-Opera June 2006
A winner in the 2007 ABC Limelight Awards and finalist for the 2007 Classical Music Awards, Halcyon is the only Australian ensemble dedicated to the performance of new and recent music for voice and instruments. Artistic directors and performers Jenny Duck-Chong (mezzo soprano) and Alison Morgan (soprano) draw together some of Australia's most esteemed chamber soloists, conductors and singers, in diverse programs of chamber music from across the globe.
Since its inception in 1998 Halcyon has emerged as an internationally recognised driving force in the promotion of new chamber music for voice, establishing a critically acclaimed concert series, commissioning and premiering numerous works by young and established composers and directing young composer workshops. Halcyon has performed in grand houses, art galleries, recital halls, at award ceremonies and festivals, held masterclasses for school and tertiary students and collaborated with many outstanding artists and ensembles.
In 2007, Halcyon was instrumental in mounting one of the most exciting and well-attended new music performances on the Sydney event calendar. Halcyon joined with Synergy and Ensemble Offspring to present Tehillim: a project featuring Steve Reich’s Tehillim alongside works by Ligeti, Vivier and a new commission by Australian Damien Ricketson.
Projects for 2008 include recent performances at the Four Winds Festival, Bermagui and the Aurora Festival (Western Sydney), a celebratory performance in September to mark the ensemble’s 10th Birthday and a CD release of works by award winning composer Rosalind Page. In the coming months, Halcyon will premiere new commissions by Australian composers Nigel Butterley, Raffaele Marcellino, Nicholas Vines and Andrew Ford. Halcyon is currently ensemble in residence at St Andrews Cathedral School.
... stretch your musical mind
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