Nicolas Altstaedt & Thomas Dunford | Canberra

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026 at 09:00 am UTC+10:00

Llewellyn Hall ANU | Canberra

Musica Viva Australia
Publisher/HostMusica Viva Australia
Nicolas Altstaedt & Thomas Dunford | Canberra
Advertisement
In the intricate weave of sounds that make up a baroque ensemble, the lute is central. It’s fitting, then, that French-American lutenist Thomas Dunford is at the centre of some of the most exciting early music-making of the moment. A regular collaborator with everyone from Les Arts Florissants to his own band of all-stars, the Jupiter Ensemble, he has been dubbed the ‘Eric Clapton of the lute’ by BBC Music Magazine. It is with great delight that Musica Viva Australia presents Thomas Dunford’s Australian debut.
Thomas Dunford shares the stage with multi-award-winning cellist Nicolas Altstaedt. Since Altstaedt first performed for Musica Viva Australia – can it really be a decade ago? – his star has continued to soar, as soloist, as conductor and as artistic catalyst to festivals and ensembles worldwide. It is a precious treat to hear him in recital.
What will these two originals create when they step on stage together? Anything could happen. But you can expect to be delighted by the genial invention of Louis XIV favourite Marais, dazzled by the virtuosic riffs of his rival Forqueray, and consoled by Bach’s Cello Suites Nos. 1 and 5. Expect the unexpected too, as they perform music closer to our time by Henri Duparc, Arvo Pärt and more.
'Thomas is one of the best of the young generation – I’d almost be ready to call him a genius.'
— Willliam Christie of Les Arts Florissants
'Altstaedt has technique to burn, near perfect intonation, superb control of extreme registers and harmonics, and is physically at ease with his instrument ... one hung on every note as if they were the words of a master storyteller.'
— The Australian
PROGRAM
MARAIS La Rêveuse
FORQUERAY La Leclair
JS BACH Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 (excerpts)
FORQUERAY Fêtes champêtres
MARAIS Le Badinage
MARAIS Les Folies d'Espagne
JS BACH Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 (excerpts)
PÄRT Spiegel im Spiegel
DUPARC Cello Sonata in A minor: Lento
FORQUERAY La Buisson
MARAIS Les Voix Humaines
MARAIS Grand Ballet
MARAIS Le Tourbillon
Advertisement

Event Venue

Llewellyn Hall ANU, William Herbert Pl,Canberra,ACT,Australia

Tickets

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Canberra

FREE Samba @ Badger & Co \ud83d\udc83\ud83d\udd7a
Wed, 12 Aug at 09:00 am FREE Samba @ Badger & Co 💃🕺

Badger & Co

Frenzal Rhomb 'Sans Souci 23rd Anniversary' Tour - Baso, Canberra
Fri, 14 Aug at 09:00 am Frenzal Rhomb 'Sans Souci 23rd Anniversary' Tour - Baso, Canberra

The Baso Canberra

An Evening with Fletch
Fri, 14 Aug at 09:00 am An Evening with Fletch

Matilda Street, Woden, Canberra, ACT, Australia, Australian Capital Territory 2606

Indoor Marketplace: Craft & Cake Stall
Fri, 14 Aug at 11:00 pm Indoor Marketplace: Craft & Cake Stall

Cnr Luke St & Hardwick Cres, Holt, ACT, Australia

The Way We Were Starring Melinda Schneider at Llewellyn Hall
Sat, 15 Aug at 09:30 am The Way We Were Starring Melinda Schneider at Llewellyn Hall

Llewellyn Hall ANU

Nonna & Yiayia Live On Stage
Sat, 15 Aug at 10:00 am Nonna & Yiayia Live On Stage

92-96 Corinna Street Woden , Canberra, ACT, Australia, Australian Capital Territory 2606

Kim Salmon Smoked Salmon Tour
Sat, 15 Aug at 11:00 am Kim Salmon Smoked Salmon Tour

Smith's Alternative

Canberra is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Canberra Events