If you fancy a jaunt in the country this Sunday to catch some fine singing then the Italian Country Afternoon sounds like it is made for you.
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The performance will be held in the beautiful, resonant old Gunning Court House at 2pm on Sunday, September 15.
Wild Voices Music Theatre brings three regionally-based performing artists who will play 24 Italian Songs and Arias to the accompaniment of piano and violin.
The trio of performers is singer, Maartje Sevenster (alto) from Gundaroo, violinist/composer Leanne Bear, from Yass, and pianist Dianna Nixon, from Gunning.
They will perform 24 well-known arias and songs, including the very famous Caro mio ben, by Giordani.
Apart from Giodarni, there are works by A Scarlatti, Torelli, Caldara and Bononcini.
Pianist Dianna Nixon said the project was especially designed for regional and rural locations.
"We are encouraging people to bring a picnic basket, which is fine as long as no one is selling alcohol, or takes their wine inside the courthouse," she said.
"There are some lovely surrounds outside the building where people can catch up.
"Inside, the Gunning Court House is a lovely old building with amazing acoustics that suit this performance.
"Hopefully people will come along and relax and listen to these beautiful, timeless Italian songs.
"Classical concerts can sometimes be rather stuffy, so we wanted to break that down and we hope people come along and have a social time as well.
"There will be an interval, which will allow people to catch up and chat."
About a month ago the trio performed at the Hume Conservatorium as a test run.
Suffice to say, some wonderful music and singing were performed on that day.
Ms Nixon said the trio received some funding support from Country Arts Support Program (CASP) to develop the program of songs.
"This is the second part of the project, a ticketed project," she said.
"We wanted to create work that we can take into country towns. There must be a good piano, but apart from that we don't need much space.
"It is specifically designed for touring in regional areas.
"In the future, we hope to partner with local winemakers and others when we perform."
Tickets cost $30, $25 for concessions and $20 for members of the Gunning Focus Group are available at the door, or can be pre-booked with Michael Coley on 0415-378 816.
- What: An Italian Country Afternoon
- Where: Gunning Court House
- When: 2pm, Sunday, September 15.