With 13 world premieres, five Australian premieres and two celebrations ready to roll, Ensemble Offspring (EO) has announced its 2026 season. Inspired by the four elements, EO promises a “new era of bold sounds”, with seven programs and performances scheduled for venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra.

EO’s trademark Avant Gardens, which delivers intimate, salon-style performances in private homes, is back in 2026 with three seasonal titles.

Ensemble Offspring’s Claire Edwardes. Photo supplied

Kicking off in Glebe in Sydney before dates in Melbourne, the Summer program (28 February – 5 March) features trio vocalist Mitch Riley, percussionist and Artistic Director Claire Edwardes and pianist Jack Symonds, whose work I keep your burning glances has its world premiere as part of the program.

Other new works include 2024 Hatched Academy participant Alexander Maltas’s A Vision of Purple and American-Dutch composer Vanessa Lann’s Floating Sky, which will be performed alongside selections from Thomas Adès, Pascal Dusapin and Harrison Birtwistle.

Symonds airs another world premiere in EO’s Autumn edition in Woollahra and Hurlstone Park (9–10 May). Flautist Lamorna Nightingale, bassist...