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In beautiful St Augustine’s Church, Balmain, Coro Austral presents a program of exquisite choral works that capture the richness and beauty of the poetry of love and loss, hope and passion. The poets featured include Federico García Lorca, Pablo Neruda, Mario Benedetti, William Blake and Oodgeroo Noonuccal.

The main work, Romancero Gitano (Gypsy Romances) by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, is a setting of verses by Federico García Lorca, one of the most important Spanish poets of the twentieth century. Sensuous, dramatic and passionate, they evoke Andalusian landscape and culture, telling of orange and olive groves, religious processions, dancing in the street and weeping guitars. Brilliantly written for choir and guitar, this work will be performed with acclaimed guitar virtuoso Ermanno Brignolo, who is known especially for his authentic interpretations of classic 20^th and 21^st century pieces.

This year marks significant anniversaries of several composers and poets. Notably, Coro Austral commemorates the 50^th anniversary of the death of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda with the tender setting of Aquí te amo (Here I love you), by Venezuelan composer Modesta Bor in commemoration of 25 years since her death. This year also marks the 30^th anniversary of the death of beloved Australian poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal who will be remembered with Clare Maclean’s interpretation of Hope, Oodgeroo’s poetic vision for a just future.

Under the direction of founding conductor Margot McLaughlin, Coro Austral is an auditioned chamber choir that performs 13th to 21st century music from Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries as well as treasured choral works from Australia and around the world. Formed in 2010, Coro Austral continues to introduce much previously little-known choral music to Australian audiences.

¡Vino, bocados y música!   For this concert Coro Austral revives its popular tradition of providing wine and refreshments to audience members after the performance, with the extra attraction of accompanying music provided by Chilean musicians Hernán Flores and Hernán (Nano) Arriagada

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St Augustine's Church
Eaton Street, Balmain NSW 2041

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