Songmakers Australia – 1863: The birth of Impressionism

Songmakers Australia – '1863: The birth of Impressionism'

The year is 1863 and the Emperor Napoleon III has decreed that all paintings rejected by the Salon’s judges can be exhibited in a nearby room “wishing to let the public judge the legitimacy of the artists’ complaints”. Thus was born the first Salon des Refusés and the seed of Impressionism was planted. 

Using 5 famous paintings as focal points, this program explores French poetry and music inspired by them through songs by Debussy, Fauré, Duparc and duets by Chausson. 

Looking to future generations of painters and composers, we pay tribute to Poulenc with a performance of his monumental song cycle 'Le Travail du peintre'.

Performed by artists from Songmakers Australia, at Trinity College, University of Melbourne. 

Date: Friday 5 May, 2023

Time: 7 – 9pm

Venue: The Burke Art Gallery | Level 1, Gateway Building, Trinity College, 100 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052

Tickets: $38 | Concession $32

RSVP: By COB Wednesday 3 May 2023

Enquiries: events@trinity.unimelb.edu.au

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ARTISTS

Songmakers Australia
Merlyn Quaife, soprano
Nicholas Dinopoulos, bass-baritone
Andrea Katz, piano

PROGRAM
Olympia by Édouard Manet:
Debussy - Le Balcon 

Hommage à Delacroix by Henri Fantin-Latour:
Duparc - La vie intérieure   
Fauré - Les roses d'Ispahan   
Poulenc - Paul Klee                       
Duparc - L'invitation au voyage    

Mademoiselle V. en costume d’Espada by Monet:
Debussy - La sérénade interrompue
Duparc - Le manoir de Rosemonde 
Poulenc - Pablo Picasso / Joan Miró   
Chausson - La nuit  

La dame blanche by James Whistler:
Debussy - La fille aux cheveux de lin  
Poulenc - Marc Chagall / Jacques Villon   
Debussy - La chevelure

Le déjeuner sur l'herbe by Claude Monet:                                                                    
Fauré - Mandoline   
Poulenc - Juan Gris / Georges Braque   
Fauré - Clair de lune                              
Chausson - Réveil    

ABOUT SONGMAKERS AUSTRALIA
Unique in the musical landscape of Australia, Songmakers Australia brings together some of the country’s leading singers and instrumentalists in a diverse repertoire comprising some of the pinnacles of all chamber music.  

www.songmakersaustralia.com