C & C Rigg Bequest Classic Music 2026 - in Special and Sacred Spaces
The next concert in our 2026 series is in Xavier College Memorial Chapel, Kew, with the return of Melbourne Capella, male-voice consort, directed by Nicholas Cowall, with Rohan Murray at the piano. Do join us for this continuation of wonderful music in Special and Sacred Places in 2026!
Concert 6 - Gardens, Goodbyes, and Serenades: German Lieder for Voices & Piano
Saturday November 21, 2026 at 3.00pm
Celebrate the beauty of Romantic song in the magnificent surroundings of Xavier College Memorial Chapel, Kew, with Melbourne Capella directed by Nicholas Cowall. Accompanied by pianist Rohan Murray, and with guest soprano Sophie Cowall, this acclaimed male-voice consort will explore the themes of love, loss and lullaby, through the poetic worlds of Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert and Alma Mahler.
The first half features charming duets and the poignant Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart by Robert Schumann, alongside a rare opportunity to hear songs by Clara Schumann, specially arranged for male chorus and piano. Following the interval, Melbourne Capella performs Brahms' spirited Five Duets, Op. 66, culminating in the majestic and deeply moving Alto Rhapsody, before concluding with Schubert's beloved Ständchen. Set within one of Melbourne's most inspiring and sacred spaces, built to commenorate Xavier Old Collegians who died in World War Two, this will be an unforgettable afternoon of choral artistry and Romantic masterworks.
Melbourne Capella directed by Nicholas Cowall, Rohan Murray - piano, Sophie Cowall - soprano
- Robert Schumann - Drei zweistimmige Lieder Op 43, for choir & piano
- Robert Schumann - Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart, for soprano & piano
- Clara Schumann - 4 Songs, arranged by Nicholas Cowall for male chorus & piano
- Alma Mahler - In meines Vaters Garten from Fünf Lieder, No 2 soprano & piano INTERVAL
- Johannes Brahms - 5 Duets Op 66, for choir & piano
- Johannes Brahms - Alto Rhapsody Op. 53, for soprano, male voice choir & piano
- Franz Schubert - Ständchen D. 920, for soprano, male voice choir & piano
Venue:
Xavier College Memorial Chapel
135 Barkers Road
Kew, VIC, 3101
Book here!
"...chamber music as it was intended..."
Upcoming Events
Rigg Bequest Classic Music 2026 - in Special and Sacred Spaces
Gardens, Goodbyes, and Serenades: German Lieder for Voices and Piano
Celebrate the beauty of Romantic song in the magnificent surroundings of Xavier College Memorial Chapel, Kew, when male-voice consort Melbourne Capella, directed by Nicholas Cowall, presents a programme of lyrical beauty, passion and reflection. Joined by pianist Rohan Murray and soprano Sophie Cowall, this acclaimed male voice consort explores love, loss and lullaby through the poetic worlds of Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert and Alma Mahler.
Date and Time
Saturday November 21, 2026 at 3.00pm
Xavier College Memorial Chapel
135 Barkers Road,
Kew, VIC, 3101
Major sponsor: Colin & Cicely Rigg Bequest, as managed by Equity Trustees.
Rigg Bequest Classic Music 2026 - in Special and Sacred Spaces
Two Grands, Eight Hands
Celebrate the end of 2026 at this Rippon Lea Ballroom recital featuring all four partners of the the Team of Pianists!
Kevin Suherman, Darryl Coote, Rohan Murray, Robert Chamberlain present an exciting program of piano music for four, six and eight hands at two grand pianos. A special item for this evening is the world premiere of a new work by Australian composer Linda Kouvaras: Gravity and Flight: Two Movements for Eight Hands at Two Pianos, commissioned by the Team of Pianists especially for this occasion. Other composers on the program include Mendelssohn, Brahms, Schumann, Piazzolla and Smetana.
Enjoy canapé refreshments (included in the ticket price), pre-recital bar drinks on the pool terrace (at cost), meet committee members of the Friends of the Team of Pianists (FOTOPS) and enjoy music and festivities in this special heritage venue.
With generous sponsorship from Friends of the Team of Pianists (FOTOPS), this recital features a specially discounted ticket price for current financial members of FOTOPS, while anyone else purchasing a full-price ticket will automatically receive 6 months’ complimentary membership of the Friends until July 2027!
The second grand piano, a wonderful Schimmel K 219 grand, is generously sponsored by Bernies Music Land. Read more about this event here...
Date and Time
Tuesday December 8, 2026 at 6.30pm
The Ballroom
Rippon Lea Estate
192 Hotham St, Elsternwick, VIC, 3185
Rigg Bequest Classic Music 2027
supported by the Colin & Cicely Rigg Bequest
More recitals are coming for 2027; including Sunday May 2 2027, 2pm at Barwon Park, Winchelsea. Details of this and other events with outstanding guest artists and attractive recital programs will be available here soon!