Concerts
Saint John’s is a major performing arts venue in the Stonnington municipality. Masterpieces of choral, vocal, and instrumental music are regularly performed in the resonant and historic Church sanctuary in East Malvern. The performances are of the highest quality, provided at an affordable price.
Cultural Fund
Saint John’s actively promotes the development and appreciation of music and the visual arts in the Stonnington community and has established a tax-deductible fund to further its work in this area. The Saint John’s Fund offers supporters the opportunity to help nourish and extend these programs. Please The Saint John’s Fund page on this website for information on how to support this work and partner in our mission.
Upcoming Concerts
Visit us again soon for details on saint John’s 2012 Concert Series and subscribe to receive email notifications of upcoming events at concerts@saintjohns.org.au.
Past Concerts
Over the past two years, Saint John’s has presented a richly varied program of music from the late middle-ages to the present day, including
Christmas Delights
The final performance in Saint John’s 2011 concert series was a glorious offering of Christmas delicacies and delights! Accompanied by Alannah Guthrie-Jones on harp, Felicity and Sally-Anne performed traditional and modern Christmas carols. And thanks be to Santa! There were more surprises, as 3AW’s Christopher Ryan was our guest MC and poetry reader extraordinaire!
Keyboard and Pipes
A diverse program of music displaying the versatility of Saint John’s wonderful Parish organ, including works by Franck, Bach, and Buxtehude. The concert featured Saint John’s three resident organists, Bruce Fethers, Yi-Shuen Chan, and David Brennan, along with guest organist Jennifer Chou of Saint John’s in Camberwell.
Classically British
The second performance in Saint John’s 2011 Concert series is on Sunday 15 May at 2.30pm. Classically British, will feature English Song Cycles and Folksongs accompanied by lute and piano, including Purcell, Head, and Walton. Artists include the Australian Opera’s Sally Anne Russell, Felicity Baldock, Soprano, accompanied by Linda O’Brien on piano, with special guest Samantha Cohen on lute. Tickets $30/$25 concession/$10 student, plus $3 booking fee. Bookings www.m-tix.com.au or 03 9685 511. Doors open at 2.10pm with a complimentary glass of wine on arrival. Book early!
Bridge to Tchaikovsky
Orchestra 21, who so delighted the Saint John’s audience in its premiere performance last year, returns on 22 May for a performance of some of the most glorious music written for string orchestra from the Romantic period and the 20th Century. Under the baton of Orchestra 21 Artistic Director Raymond Yong, the concert will feature Tchaikovsky’s beautiful Serenade for Strings, together with Variations on a theme by Tchaikovsky by Arensky, the Suite for String Orchestra by Bridge, and Meditation on an Old Bohemian Carol by Suk. Tickets $30/$25 concession/$10 student, plus $3 booking fee. Bookings www.m-tix.com.au or 03 9685 511. Doors open at 2.10pm with a complimentary glass of wine on arrival. Book early! Arrive early!
Musica Romantica – Music for the Senses!
Saint John’s premier concert of its 2011 Concert series, Musica Romantica – Music for the senses, featured romantic songs from Venice and Italy and the thrill of acoustic guitar from Spain, including Rossini, Da Falla and Rodrigo. The concert featured the Australian Opera’s Sally Anne Russell, Felicity Baldock, Soprano, accompanied by Andrea Katz on piano, with special guest Geoffrey Morris on guitar.
Brahms and Schubert Lieder
A superb concert of Brahms and Schubert Lieder, including Zigeunerlieder and Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, featuring Sally Anne Russell and Felicity Baldock was performed on Sunday 30 May at 3.00pm. The performance also featured associate artists Phillipa Safey and Andrew Boyle.
‘The Divas and the Divos’
Featuring the Cantus Caritas choir and artofsound Chamber Orchestra, the program included opera favourites from Alcina by Handel, Don Pasquale by Donizetti, The Magic Flute by Mozart, and Madama Butterfly by Puccini. Sunday 20 September.
Schubert Mass No. 2 in G major
The performance of the stirring Schubert Mass No. 2 in G major at the 9.30am Eucharist featured the Cantus Caritas and Saint John’s Choirs, accompanied by the artofsound Chamber Orchestra. Sunday 13 September.
Spring at Saint John’s
Saint John’s welcomed the rising of Spring with the Donizetti String Quartet playing “La Primavera” (Spring) from The Four Seasons by Vivaldi. Sunday 6 September.
‘The Wonder of Amadeus Mozart’
Featuring Mozart’s Sympony No.28 in C Major and the Concerto for Bassoon in B-flat Major, with young virtuoso Matt Kneale. The program also included Elgar’s Serenade for String Orchestra, Op.20. Sunday 21 June.
Midwinter Mass with Palestrina’s ‘Missa Brevis’
Saint John’s celebrated the coming of the Son at a mid-winter Mass featuring the beautiful music of Palestrina’s ‘Missa Brevis’. Featuring soloists from the Cantus Caritas choir. Friday 19 June.
Masters of the Baroque
A wonderful Chamber Music Concert featuring Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with mezzo-soprano Sally-Ann Russell, Marcello’s Concerto for oboe in D minor, Erbarme dich, from St. Matthew’s Passion, and Lascia ch’io pianga from Rinaldo
