The SXS’s Hush is a sublime, visceral experimental concert offering the opportunity for introspection through a syncretic symphony of sound.

In our noisy, intense world – where we are constantly hounded by technology – any opportunity to stop and contemplate is valuable. The Southern Cross Soloists create a delicious oasis of calm in their first concert of the season with Hush, featuring the eminent ARIA Award-winning classical guitarist Karin Schaupp.

Southern Cross Soloists: Hush. Photo © Darren Thomas Photography

Newly appointed triple-Grammy-winning Artistic Director and flautist Timothy Munro opens the SXS’s 31st season with an intimate experimental program, tucking the audience under a doona of restful music to soothe the soul. He describes the concert as “a bit of musical magic”, where “live music gives us a space to pause”.

A world premiere by Petra Salsjö, Hacienda Heart, first invigorates the audience, with a frenzied Portuguese “La folia” (madness) chord progression from the 15th-century dance.

Schaupp’s fingers frolic over the frets with ease as her Iberian solo melds into Marin Marais’ Les Folies d’Espagne. Each...