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Don’t miss Sydney’s classical event of the season as internationally renowned London-based pianist Emmanuel Despax takes centre stage in Chopin: A Stranger in Paris at The Joan, Penrith for one unforgettable performance on Thursday 30 October.
Joined by Penrith Conservatorium of Music’s flagship chamber ensemble, the Richard Bonynge Ensemble, Despax presents a deeply personal program of Chopin’s most intimate works.
This richly evocative concert celebrates the haunting beauty of Frédéric Chopin’s music, tracing his journey to Paris in the 19th century. Although he found fame and fortune in the City of Light, Chopin remained a man caught between worlds – Polish at heart yet deeply embedded in Paris’ vibrant artistic scene.
Richard Bonynge Ensemble. Photo by Eddy Summers
Audiences will be taken on a musical journey through the shimmering Berceuse, the graceful Barcarolle, and the powerful Sonata No. 2. The evening culminates in a rarely heard chamber arrangement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, reimagined for piano and strings. This rarely performed gem reveals new layers of vulnerability, lyricism, and poetic depth.
Despax said, “Chopin’s music has always been fascinating to me. Beneath the lyrical facade lies limitless operatic drama, craftsmanship, and above all, poetry. His style is at once universally recognisable. A Slavic soul, combined with such eclectic influences: Italian operatic lyricism, and extraordinarily rich inner lines and counterpoint derived from his love of Bach.”
Renowned for his virtuosic artistry and deep emotional resonance, Despax together with the Richard Bonynge Ensemble will present this immersive evening of Chopin’s iconic work, weaving music and storytelling into a performance that will linger long after the final note. Whether you are a lifelong classical aficionado or a curious first-time listener, this is a performance not to be missed.
Reviews
"Despax weaves magic with a powerful, velvety touch…with playing of poetry and tenderness."
BBC Magazine
"Emmanuel Despax is a formidable talent, fleet of finger, elegant of phrase and a true keyboard colourist."
Gramophone, UK
PROGRAM
CHOPIN Berceuse
CHOPIN Barcarolle
CHOPIN Sonata No. 2 in Bb minor, Op. 35
CHOPIN Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 (Transcribed for piano and string quintet by Kevin Kenner, Krzysztof Dombeck)
CHOPIN: A STRANGER IN PARIS
Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street, Penrith
Dates & Times
Thursday 30 October at 7pm
Duration
1 hour 40 minutes (Including interval)
Tickets
Standard $42, Concession $38, Family of Four Pass $140
A booking fee of $5 applies to all transactions.
Image Credits:
Benjamin Ealovega