The Orange Chamber Music Festival returns in 2023 to indulge audiences in a fine selection of over 60 Artists and ensembles from all over Australia. March 9-12, 2023.
Established in 2019 the Orange Chamber Music Festival (OCMF) is the premier Art Music event of the Central West, featuring Australian and international ensembles and artists within a variety of venues around Orange.
Festival Director Carmen Nieves commented:
‘We are delighted to present our audience with the full Orange experience. The highest quality in performances covering a diverse range from baroque to contemporary Australian music, paired with the very best of our local produce, hospitality and cultural assets’.
This year’s ticketing options includes three different festival passes, each providing access to a range of performances and experiences. Single event tickets are on sale for a selection of events, giving an opportunity to sample the concert series without committing to a full festival pass. The 2023 festival will also see the launch of the Lunch + Concert series; three curated dining experiences accompanied by live music in intimate and unique venues.
Festival Passes: The Zona Pass (Thursday 9th March – Sunday 12th March)
Kick off your Chamber Music Festival on Thursday evening with an opening dinner at the iconic ZONA building. This dinner will be prepared and hosted by The Byng St Boutique Hotel. Bubbles and canapes will be served at the lawn, before the formal dinner and performance commence. The evening performance will feature a guitar duo made of classical guitarists Andrew Blanch and Vladimir Gorbach.
On Friday, guests will enjoy a morning concert with Duo De Fesch (VIC) and Orange’s own Rachael Kwa. Pass holders will also enjoy an evening signature event before the Festival Gala, featuring Camerata (Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra), the Orava Quartet and a premiere concerto by Nicholas Russoniello, performed Jay Byrnes on baritone saxophone.
On Saturday, guests will enjoy a trio of events: Schubert’s Winterreise with David Greco and Vatche Jambazian, Digital Debussy and the Orava Quartet. Finally on Sunday, guests will revel in the sounds of the Australian Classical and Romantic Orchestra.
The Tonic Pass (Friday 10th March – Sunday 12th March) Those choosing the tonic pass will enjoy the same program from Friday to Sunday, with the inclusion of dinner at TONIC restaurant in Millthorpe, with a performance by Alicia Crossley on recorders and Joshua Hill, percussion.
The Diamond Pass (Thursday 9th – Sunday 12th March) is the ultimate offering for fans of fine music, food and wine! Pass holders will gain exclusive access and premium seating at all performances as well as access to all 3 lunch series events.
The Lunch Series includes:
The Peacock Room Lunch + Concert (Friday 10th March, 1pm) featuring a classic three-course European inspired menu. Guests will enjoy the Oriana’s luxurious Peacock Room Restaurant alongside live music from Alicia Crossley (Recorder) and Emily Granger (Harp).
The Old Convent Lunch + Concert (Saturday 11th March, 1pm) is a dining experience with a difference! The renovated Old Convent was once home to Australians only saint, Mary McKillop, guests will be treated to a three-course meal inside the convent complemented by the sounds of Latin America, with specialists Jay Byrnes on saxophones and Stephen Cuttriss on Argentinian bandoneon.
Swinging Bridge Lunch + Concert (Sunday 12th March, 1pm) Guests will be treated to Canapes on arrival before a two-course lunch with accompanying wine from Swinging Bridge by Tom Ward. Diners will be joined by Eliza Shepherd and David Shaw to perform live.
Other Festival Highlights include:
Festival Gala, Friday 10th March from 7pm at the Derek Pigot Auditorium, Kinross Wolaroi School. Tickets sold separately.
Digital Debussy, Saturday 11th March at the Orange Regional Gallery Theatre. Two sessions included in the Diamond, Zona and Tonic passes exclusively.