Arabella Steinbacher’s mastery of Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto is clear from the first touch of her bow. Moments after the lights go down, her unaccompanied violin deftly sketches a potent and mysterious melody before the orchestra joins her.

The New York Times describes Steinbacher as having ‘balanced lyricism and fire … a finely polished technique and a beautifully varied palette of timbres.’ You’ll feel captivated as she weaves her way from soulful opening to the delicate middle movement and addictive finale.

To celebrate Ravel’s 150th birthday, we perform his largest work, Daphnis and Chloé – an orchestral masterpiece that draws in all the power of the elements to tell a beautiful love story. When the choir summons the impossibly lush sunrise – complete with twittering birds and golden rays of light – you’ll experience something ancient, a world beyond words.

From a solo violin to a dazzling display of orchestral colour – and the world premiere of Australian composer William Gardiner’s arion – this concert is a celebration of what it means to be alive.