The Domestic Sublime with music by Katy Abbott

The Domestic Sublime

Proudly Presented as part of the Queensland Art Song Festival

Let Springboard Opera and the Riverbend Ensemble take you on a journey through the rituals of domestic life, where everyday objects transform into symbols of beauty, memory, and change. Held in the appropriately domestic environs of the Winning Appliances Showroom in Fortitude Valley, the music of Katy Abbott, Alys Rayner, Leonard Bernstein and Clara Schumann will be transformed by emerging Director Madeleine Stephens.

THE PROGRAM
Centred around living Australian composer, Katy Abbott’s song cycle “The Domestic Sublime”, this show examines the profound moments that lie within the everyday.

A collaboration between talented performers from Springboard Opera, Riverbend Ensemble and emerging Director Madeleine Stephens, this immersive concert takes the audience on a journey through time, from the 1850s to the 1980s, exploring the evolving rituals of domestic life through the intimate perspectives of four singers. Each character invites us into their household’s sacred spaces—kitchen, bedroom, backyard, and garden—where everyday objects transform into symbols of beauty, memory, and change, reminding us to breathe in the divine simplicity, awakening our senses.

Abbott’s song-cycle is made up of 6 short songs set to text of Chris Wallace-Crabbe's 'The Domestic Sublime'. Each song has a focus on one small domestic occurrence; changing the sheets, a saucer, thinking of those gone whilst hanging out the clothes. This work has won the Boston Metro Opera Gold Medal for Art-Song Prize (2013) and was finalist in the 2013 Australian Art Music Awards in the Best Vocal/Choral Work of the year category. Complementing “The Domestic Sublime”, is an original work from local Brisbane-based composer Alys Rayner along with Bernstein’s “La Bonne Cuisine” and Clara Schumann’s Op. 23, “Sechs Lieder aus Jucunde”.

This show marks the first performance of “The Domestic Sublime” in Qld, as well as a world premiere of the string quartet arrangement of the song cycle (with special permissions given by the composer Katy Abbott). Additionally, it will be the world premiere of local composer, Alys Rayner’s “The Orange Tree”..

Date:
Friday 22nd of August
Doors open 6:30pm for a 7:30pm start
Location:
Winning Appliances Showroom, 167 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley
Tickets (purchase below):
General Tickets - $120
4MBS Subscribers - $110
Language and Run Time:
English and German, 1.5 hours with an intermission. Translations provided in program.
Drinks and Food:
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included in your ticket price along with themed canapes. Please arrive at the venue at 6:30pm to enjoy these inclusions.

About the Experience

Springboard Opera is elevating the art song experience through an exclusive partnership with Winning Appliances, Fortitude Valley. From entering the seemingly everyday world of domesticity, you’ll be treated to drinks on arrival, and throughout the evening. Following our performers through the space, you’ll meet our cast of talented singers, and be immersed in works that explore what lies beyond the surface of the seemingly mundane.

You’ll also be treated to canapes, themed around the works (paying particular attention to the instructions of Bernstein’s “La Bonne Cuisine”), from the talented chef at Winning’s. Marvel at the teamwork of Brisbane’s String Quartet, Riverbend Ensemble, as you experience World and Queensland premieres of works from living composers, mixed with the timeless beauty of works by Clara Schumann. Your ticket includes all elements of this experience.