The Blue Mountains’ summit plays host to some of our finest performers, with John Bell joining Elysian Fields for the world premiere of The Passionate Pilgrim, which features new works by Jennifer Eriksson and Matt McMahon, alongside pieces inspired by Shakespeare and Wyatt. Lloyd Van’t Hoff joins the Chroma Quartet for Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet, while composer Ross Edwards presents a streamlined Vespers for Mother Earth. Shakuhachi grand-master Riley Lee performs with percussionist Timothy Constable and Taikoz; flautist Joshua Batty, violist Amanda Verner and harpist Louise Johnson play Debussy, Takemitsu, Bax and a Nicholas Routley sonata; and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Wind Soloists also feature.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Do not miss this bespoke celebration of our much-loved Australian composer ROSS EDWARDS—a vivid homage to Mother Earth in summer.

His evocative music brings together six exceptional singers: SUSANNAH LAWERGREN, JESSICA O’DONOGHUE, and ANDREW O’CONNOR (The Song Company), alongside SUSIE BISHOP, GEOFFREY WEBB and PHILIP MURRAY. They are joined by a remarkable instrumental ensemble—RILEY LEE (shakuhachi), LOUISE JOHNSON (harp), JULIAN SMILES (cello) and TIMOTHY CONSTABLE (percussion)—under the baton of composer, musicologist and founding director of the Sydney Chamber Choir, NICHOLAS ROUTLEY.

Suite from Vespers for Mother Earth—originally scored for eight singers and a large instrumental ensemble—has been especially re-written by Edwards for this curated and never-heard-before, spine-tingling performance.

TERRA MATER AESTIVA promises a deeply moving finale—a stunning way to draw the BCMF26 to a close.