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Schubert feature

Schubert’s Quintet

Schubert’s Quintet
6 - 17 May 2021
A brilliant convergence of grandeur and intimacy.

Join us as we make a triumphant return to national touring, performing quite possibly the best long-form piece of chamber music ever written - Schubert’s “perfect” Quintet.

Composed in the final weeks of his far too short life, Schubert’s writing is symphonic, capturing far more harmonic colours than had ever been thought possible for an ensemble of this size. The use of two cellos was revolutionary and gave him further scope for exploration of tone and texture.

This grand quintet is a journey through sadness, fear, contemplation and joy, with a melodic richness reflecting Schubert’s status as one of the great writers of song.

Alongside Schubert’s Quintet, the ACO will also pay homage to Schubert’s musical inspiration, Ludwig Van Beethoven, with his beloved String Quintet in C minor, Op.104.

With just five musicians on stage, this performance will see the intimate and the grand brilliantly intertwine, providing audiences with an ACO experience to remember. After 14 long months away from the concert hall stages of Melbourne and Canberra, we can’t wait to get back.

For a deeper dive, be sure to read British poet George Szirtes’s personal reflections on Schubert's Quintet, written specifically for the ACO.


Please click here to read important information concerning allocated seating and COVID-19 guidelines for this performance.

 

TOUR PARTNER

The logo of Johnson Winter and Slattery

ACO STUDIOCASTS

Schubert's String Quintet in C major, D.956 features in the ACO StudioCast Schubert's Quintet.

Schubert's Quintet will premiere at 8pm AEST, Wednesday 15th September, 2021, and will be available for subscribers to watch on demand until 11:59pm AEDT Friday 31st December, 2021. Click here for more.

PODCAST

Francis Merson is a clinical psychologist, classical music educator, and long time friend of the ACO. In this podcast, released ahead of the third tour of our 2021 Season, 'Schubert's Quintet'.

This grand quintet is a journey through sadness, fear, contemplation and joy, with a melodic richness reflecting Schubert’s status as one of the great writers of song.

Tune in; to dive deep into Schubert's 'perfect' Quintet with Francis Merson. Listen Now:

Satu

ACO StudioCasts

ACO StudioCasts is a pioneering season of high quality, cinematic concert films created to enhance our live season and to bring the ACO to those who can’t attend our concerts.

Buy an annual subscription for $229, or 7-day single film access for $35.

program details

BEETHOVEN – String Quintet in C minor, Op.104
29:00
SCHUBERT – String Quintet in C major, D.956
56:00
CONCERT duration
1 hour and 45 minutes, including interval.
Concert program
Download Program
Playlist by the ACO
Listen on Spotify

ARTISTS

ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti

Richard Tognetti AO

Director & Violin

Richard Tognetti is Artistic Director and Lead Violin of the ACO. He has established an international reputation for his compelling performances and artistic individualism.

Richard has appeared as director or soloist with many of the world’s leading orchestras. He was Artistic Director of Slovenia’s Festival Maribor from 2008 to 2015 and the first Artist-in-Residence at the Barbican Centre’s Milton Court in 2016. In addition, he has curated and co-composed film scores including the ACO’s Mountain.

Read Full Bio

ACO Principal Violin Helena Rathbone

Helena Rathbone

Principal Violin

Helena Rathbone has performed as Principal Violin with the ACO since 1994, and regularly performs with the Orchestra as a soloist and guest leader. In addition, Helena is the Orchestra Representative and Mentor for the ACO’s Emerging Artists Program and was Director of ACO Collective from 2006 to 2015.
ACO UP CLOSE - STEF

Stefanie Farrands

Viola

Stefanie Farrands was appointed Principal Viola with the ACO in 2020. She studied with renowned violist Tabea Zimmermann at the Hochschule für Musik, Hanns Eisler Berlin and has performed with orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Camerata Salzburg and Spira Mirabilius.
ACO Violist Liz Woolnough

Elizabeth Woolnough

Viola

Elizabeth joined the ACO in 2019. She studied at the Sydney Conservatorium, where she, alongside three other students, started a string quartet that won the Westheimer Scholarship in 2015. This award allowed the quartet to travel across Europe and study under masters in Germany and France.
Tipi

Timo-Veikko Valve

Cello

Timo-Veikko ‘Tipi’ Valve was appointed Principal Cello of the ACO in 2006. He is regarded as one of the most versatile musicians of his generation performing as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader on both modern and period instruments, and regularly performs as a soloist with the ACO.
ACO Cellist Melissa Barnard

Melissa Barnard

Cello

Born in Vienna to Australian parents, Melissa Barnard joined the ACO in 1995. She has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the ACO and the Sydney and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestras.

COMPOSERS

Composer Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist whose music bridged the Classical and Romantic eras. From the age of 28 his hearing declined until he was completely deaf. Despite this, he composed symphonies, concertos, sonatas and quartets to monumental acclaim. Today, Beethoven is considered one of the greatest and most influential composers of all time.
Composer Schubert

Franz Schubert

Franz Schubert was an Austrian composer who died tragically young at the age of 31, but left behind a vast and enduringly popular body of music. He is especially famous for his Lieder (songs), his ‘Unfinished’ Symphony, chamber works and piano works, and is regarded as one of the greatest 19th-century composers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Get the answer to frequently asked questions below, or email [email protected] if something still isn't clear.

Attendance Guidance

Please do not attend a performance if you:

  • are feeling unwell
  • have experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
  • are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test
  • have been in contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19
  • have returned from overseas or a hotspot area, or have had direct contact with someone who has returned from overseas or a hotspot area in the past 14 days
  • have been in any venues or locations identified as a hotspot area and/or where the advice has been to isolate for 14 days.

Please review our COVID-19 terms and conditions if you are no longer able to attend a Performance due to these reasons. Please err on the side of caution when considering your attendance.

Whilst at a performance:

  • It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask - please bring your own or, if necessary, one can be provided on entry. Please note that it may be mandatory to wear a face mask in some states, in line with current Government directives.
  • Practice social distancing, allowing 1.5m between others and avoiding close contact.  
  • Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  • Use hand sanitiser (including before and after eating); and cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
  • Where possible, use contactless payment methods at all transaction points within your venue.

Can I choose my own seats?

In some cities, yes, but not in all. Depending on the current COVID-19 health policies of your state, seating within venues may, or may not, be socially distanced. If it is socially distanced, then the ACO will allocate your seats. If seating is not socially distanced, and the venue is operating at 100% capacity, then you will be able to choose your own seat.

Patrons in Victoria are advised that due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions all seats must be allocated by the ACO. You may book a general admission ticket to secure your entry to a performance, and your seat will be confirmed by the ACO closer to your performance date.

Can I renew my subscription seats?

If your venue is operating at 100% capacity then yes. If your venue is operating with socially distanced seating then you won’t be able to renew your subscription seats. We will reseat you for 2021 and freeze your current seats so you can go back to them in 2022.

Do I have to wear a mask to concerts?

Face masks may be mandatory in some states depending on current government health advice concerning COVID-19. Please check this page regularly for updates and take care to read all pre-concert emails and communications from the ACO concerning your performance. 

Am I eligible for a concession?

Concession-priced tickets are available to current holders of means-tested Australian pensions (Aged, Disability, Veteran’s Affairs, Supporting Parent).

I have a credit on my account. How can I use it?

You can use your existing credit towards any ACO purchase, including live performances and StudioCasts subscriptions. Credits can only be redeemed by emailing [email protected] or by calling our Box Office on 1800 444 444.

Will my credit expire?

Credit amounts generated from cancelled performances do not expire. We will continue to hold onto your credit until you decide what you would like to do.

Can I purchase accessible seating?

If you would like to book wheelchair or accessible seating spaces, please call the Box Office on 1800 444 444.

Can I purchase an ACO StudioCasts Subscription and a live performance ticket?

Yes, you can purchase both a StudioCasts and live performance subscription, either online or over the phone.