They’re now based in London, but oceans away, violist Ella Beard is still rhapsodising about Australian music. 

Having touched down in Adelaide yesterday, they’ve got a bunch of the stuff to showcase across the country over the next few weeks, including the Australian premiere of Kate Moore’s Storm Oratory with Ensemble Offspring on 3 June  – a “pretty good band”, Beard reckons.

Ella Beard. Photo © Alastair Bett

“I love Kate’s music, and this piece is so distinctly her – these gorgeous, long lines. It’s so exciting. She has this tarantella for solo viola, which is one of those pieces that gets you thinking, “this is what music’s all about’. It’s so good,” Beard tells Limelight.

Before Moore, Beard will also deliver the premiere of three new solo viola works from Australian composers under their groundbreaking commissioning project, Hear Us Now, in Adelaide and Brisbane. Featuring compositions from Robert Davidson, Hilary Kleinig and Emily Sheppard, the project is an examination of child sexual abuse (CSA), informed by Beard’s lived experience.