Richard Tognetti and the ACO close their 50th- anniversary season in style, stepping into the surreal world of 1920s Paris. Directed by Circa’s Yaron Lifschitz, this concert-cum-cabaret features soprano Chloe Lankshear with drag artist and baritone Le Gateau Chocolat as maître d’. Inspired by Jean Cocteau’s avant-garde circle and the transgressive jazz of Le Boeuf sur le toit, the music of Debussy, Satie, Lili and Nadia Boulanger and Les Six, including Poulenc and Milhaud, will be served up in a heady blend of mischief, virtuosity and theatrical flair.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Step into the intimate, dreamy light of Le Boeuf sur le toit, the legendary cabaret bar of 1920s Paris. The liquor is strong and spirits are high. War is over and art is flourishing. Here, Europe’s most fashionable mingle with the city’s greatest minds: Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein… And you’re invited to join their circle.

Richard Tognetti directs the Australian Chamber Orchestra as we dive into an era of innovation and wonder, featuring renowned Australian soprano Alexandra Oomens. Le Gateau Chocolat, of La Clique and La Soirée fame, will be our maitre d’. Brilliant bass and exceptional entertainer, he’ll take you on a journey into les années folles (the crazy years).

We’ve always been rule-breakers, so this program shines a light on the innovators who paved the way for future trend-setters. You’ll hear the music of Erik Satie, Lili Boulanger and the group dubbed ‘Les Six’ – composers including Francis Poulenc and Darius Milhaud, who took their inspiration from the transgressive jazz they heard at Le Boeuf as well as Cocteau’s avant-garde poetry.