Following a year of outstanding artistic milestones in 2019, including a Helpmann Award nomination for Best Chamber and/or Instrumental Ensemble Concert, Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, returns to the mainstage with a highly anticipated new theatre-concert work, When The World Was Wide.

Exploring the friendship of two of Australia’s most iconic poets and writers, Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson, When The World Was Wide draws on atmospheric and evocative music performed live by Camerata alongside a selection of poetic works from both writers. Award winning writer and actor, Tama Matheson joins Camerata for this their fifth collaboration.

Camerata is thrilled to welcome singer/actor Brett Brown, direct from London, to perform in this limited season. A graduate of London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Brett has sung with Opera Australia, OperaUpClose and the Omega Ensemble. His numerous recitals encompass music from the Baroque to Sam Smith. He is a featured artist on ABC Classic’s album Unexpected News which was released this month. Brett’s debut solo album will be released in 2020.

As an actor, Brett has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare’s Globe, the BBC, in West End plays and musicals and in the Academy award winning film The Theory of Everything. Brett has represented Australia with his solo production of Shakespeare’s Henry V at Shakespeare festivals in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Serbia and the United Kingdom.

In this thrilling world premiere new work, written by Tama Matheson, the lives of Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson will be laid bare. Featuring iconic poetry, Clancy of the Overflow and The Man From Snowy River, alongside music by Sculthorpe and Sutherland, a time of campfires and storytelling amidst the great Australian bush will provide a nostalgic night in the theatre of a time gone by.

With their previously presented theatre works, Camerata continues to receive praise from audiences and critics for these ambitious and adventurous artistic collaborations. Not quite a concert, not quite a play, this piece is a melding of narrative, acting and concert music.

Performing without a conductor, Camerata’s string players have established a reputation for passionate, exciting performances which engage audiences of all ages, regardless of their music experience.