Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra: Camerata closed their 2025 season with a stunning concert Celestial Choral Baroque at QPAC’s Concert Hall on Thursday night, 20 November.
The concert involved an intriguing mix of music by global and Australian-based composers, with instruments ranging from core strings and brass to harpsichord and even singing glasses.
Camerata shared the stage with Brisbane-based choral ensemble One Equal Music, which was founded three years ago by Artistic Directors and husband and wife team Eleanor Adeney and Tomasz Holownia.
Haunting
The collaboration between Camerata and One Equal Music was stunning, particularly in haunting opening piece The Spheres by Danish composer Ola Gjeilo. The song opened with the Latin prayer for mercy and closed with gasps of ‘wow’ from the audience.
Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds’ Stars opened with the barely perceptible sound of singing glasses, followed by vocals. The poetic lyrics of this piece were gripping: one person alone on a hill, witnessing the majesty of stars.
Another highlight was Tasmanian-based composer Maria Grenfell’s Knitting Unicorns, inspired by a visit to a children’s hospital ward.
Grenfell saw a girl knitting a unicorn from a hospital bed while next to her, a toddler played with unicorn toys. It was an uplifting piece, perhaps a celebration of magic and healing.
Rounding out the program were more well-known pieces including Bach’s Orchestral Suite in D Major, Peteris Vasks’ Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant us peace) and the rousing finale of Vivaldi’s Gloria. Each were delivered to perfection.
Soloist Eleanor Adeney. IMAGE Karina Ames
After the concert, Eleanor explained most of their singers were trained in church settings, so easily embodied the sacred quality of the music. Eleanor herself was a stand-out, delivering ethereal solos.
Eleanor is a former violin student of Camerata Artistic Director Brendan Joyce. Brendan is always a pleasure to watch as he leads the full ensemble from his violin. He sets the tone for accessible and light-hearted concerts, where his joy seems to be contagious among both the orchestra members and audience.
Regional tour in 2026
At the 2026 program launch following the concert, Brendan was keen to point out that Camerata is not just Brisbane’s Chamber Orchestra but belongs to all of Queensland. Next year the group will be performing in Charleville, Cunnamulla, Goondiwindi, St George, Toowoomba and Quilpie and are open to visiting other locations.
2026 promises to be action-packed for Camerata, with six concerts and the continuation of their development programs including Emerging Composer in Residence and musician program Upbeat. The award-winning Orava Quartet will continue to be based with Camerata and lead the October concert.
Each concert in the 2026 program promises to be something special, with the hallmark mix of music and artists that combine tradition with new ideas. The regular wildcard entries will continue, aimed at surprising and delighting.
Camerata’s 2026 season starts 20 February in Toowoomba and 21 February in Brisbane with Classic Alchemy, promising to merge tradition with transformation.
