People came from Canberra, Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Cowra, Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo, and many places in between to be part of the Canowindra Baroquefest, now in its second year as a high standard music event.

Featuring four main concerts and a number of smaller informal gatherings, it provides a musical indulgence in one of the most picturesque and productive parts of NSW and focuses on a historic and fascinating small town where visitors are made to feel welcome.

This year the Baroquefest held a joint official opening with a newly launched art exhibition to be known as The Artful Eight. Exhibiting the works of seven of Canowindra’s artists and the work of well-known invitee from Cowra, Ann Morton, the Artful Eight has proved a hit with the public.  

The two events were officially opened by the patron of the Canowindra Baroquefest Marian Arnold of ABCFM fame, and the ambiance of the gathering flowed through to the first concert featuring the quite unique group Camerata Antica in a program of mostly 16th century English music.

Led by Matthew Manchester who played the rare instruments of the time, accompanying the pure sound of soprano Anna Sandstrom, this music reached deeply into the soul. The group is internationally acclaimed, as are all the groups that entertained over the weekend, the Ironwood String Quartet and Maggie Ferguson and friends.

Orange was strongly represented when its 30 strong Colour City Chamber Orchestra led by Andrew Baker from the violin, joined Maggie in a program that crossed 300 years and 6000 miles, playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons alongside Piazolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aries.

A most exciting concert with the tango rhythms of Argentina alongside the fast and demanding work for solo violin and orchestra written 300 years earlier in Venice.

The final concert was held at Wallington’s winery, a delicious lunch under a vine covered pergola, and a concert provided by Voci Stupende. The glorious voices of six of Australia’s best young fully trained singers performed the arias of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Pergolesi, Monteverdi and others, the Voices of the Baroque, all to great acclaim.

It is planned to make the Canowindra Baroquefest an annual event. Two, very high profile Sydney based groups are being considered for 2017. The cost however is somewhat daunting and it will only be possible to achieve these ambitious plans with the assistance of sponsors, as ticket prices are kept much lower than in the capital cities. If you would like to be kept informed please email info@canowindrafinemusic.com.au