AVÉ- Australian Vocal Ensemble
“…an absolute success, with a fascinating mix of the old and the new, highlighting Australian culture in all its forms.” - Limelight
Katie Noonan, soprano, Artistic Director
Fiona Campbell, soprano
Andrew Goodwin, tenor
Andrew O’Connor, bass-baritone
AVÉ is an elite chamber ensemble that is warm and welcoming to all, consisting of artists of international excellence; Katie Noonan (Artistic Director and Soprano, QLD), Fiona Campbell (Mezzo Soprano, WA), Andrew Goodwin (Tenor, NSW) and Andrew O'Connor (Bass-Baritone, NSW). The ensemble presents vocal performances featuring new Australian works, featuring engagement with our First Nations People.
The ensemble, established in 2021, aims to make a mark on the national and international stage, telling unique stories and celebrating identity and place through song. Exploring the extraordinary vocal music from the late Renaissance and Baroque era alongside New Australian works, AVÉ is creating a national standard in the presentation of professional chamber vocal works.
AVÉ’s Patron Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO said, "AVÉ – imagination, ideas, magic; hallmarks of Katie Noonan’s contribution to our cultural life. Sparkling, enriching, inclusive in every sense, again and again, she amazes with her capacity to translate dreams into reality, captivating us with the way she lifts our hearts, taps into our emotions, laughter, sometimes a raw nerve or two, an awakening, with generosity in spades."
For the 2023 concerts through Musica Viva Australia’s Regional Touring program, AVÉ's artist fees are subsidised by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative.
Tumbling Like Stars
Using the human voice to tell the stories of our time and place through song
Four of Australia’s finest vocalists come together in a visionary performance combining heavenly vocals in a chamber setting. Katie Noonan’s new project, Australian Vocal Ensemble - AVÉ intertwines Australian compositions by Cawrse, Davidson, Green, Humphries, Hurren, Leek, Noonan and Wells, alongside new arrangements of music by Bach, Handel and Tomás Luis de Victoria creating a beautiful tension between ties to more traditional European music and modern Australian classical. Committed to telling uniquely Australian stories, AVÉ presents these new works based on the poetry of iconic Australian writer David Malouf.
Stephen LEEK & David MALOUF Stars (1987)
Jessica WELLS & David MALOUF In the Sea’s Giving (2020)
VICTORIA Heth Misericordiae (1585)
Anne CAWRSE & David MALOUF Afterword (2020)
Isaac HURREN & David MALOUF The Catch (2020)
JS BACH Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227 (1653) arr. Andrew Goodwin
Thomas GREEN & David MALOUF Typewriter Music and First Night (2020)
Robert DAVIDSON & David MALOUF Suburban (2020)
HANDEL ‘Tu del Ciel Ministro eletto’ from Il trionfo del Tempo e della Verità, HWV 46 (1707) arr. Andrew Goodwin
Alice HUMPHRIES & David MALOUF From the Book of Whispers (2020)
JS BACH Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit, BWV 115 (1724)
ALBINUS Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn (1694)
Andrew GOODWIN Peace I Leave With You (2020)
Format: 80 minutes without interval
Amplification with monitors is required. Please discuss with Musica Viva Australia if this will be an issue.
Full Production and Hospitality Rider available from Musica Viva Australia.
Australian Vocal Ensemble has commissioned new works by Australian composers and is having these arranged to be used in a workshop setting with local choirs. This activity can include the choir being incorporated into the public performance and joining the ensemble on stage for the performance of the workshop piece. The ensemble is committed to ensuring community engagement in touring locations. Music will be sent in advance of the tour to be learnt prior to the tour. AVÉ's workshop activities are supported by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative.
High school composition workshops are also available for year 11 and 12 students who have composed a work for vocal quartet or similar.
Vocal masterclasses are available by request.
For any other activities, please contact Musica Viva Australia
To be advised
Book an artist
Travel to centres in regional NSW is subsidised through the support of Create NSW. Musica Viva can book the artists, arrange all travel and accommodation, provide posters, flyers and program information.
If you are interested in bringing an ensemble to your town or city, please contact:
Sean Moloney
Manager, Special Projects & Regional Touring
02 8394 6662