Events in Armidale

What Have the Huguenots Ever Done for Us?  Mass Migration and the Arts in Britain - Vivienne Lawes (UK) The mass migration of the French Protestant Huguenots in the 16th and 17th centuries impacted the arts, the military and finance sectors of the countries to which they fled after suffering Catholic persecution in their homeland. It is estimated that upwards of 50,000 Huguenots settled in the British Isles alone and this lecture looks at how the artistic works of the Huguenots changed […]

The Architecture of Mughal India:  Palaces, Mosques, Gardens and Mausoleums - Dr John Stevens (UK) Before the British arrived in India, the Indian subcontinent was ruled by the Mughal Emperors. The stunning buildings and gardens they constructed have left an indelible stamp on India’s architectural and cultural landscape. Mughal architecture and the colourful personalities involved in their construction fused elements from Islamic, Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural traditions, and gave rise to some of the most beautiful and iconic buildings […]

Recital of Operatic Arias and German Lieder (approximately 45 min of music, 20 min interval). Refreshments available from the Hoskins Centre Bar. After a year abroad in Germany and Canada, Armidale native baritone, Ziggy Harris, has returned to town for a short time, and will be conducting a recital of operatic arias and German lieder. Retaking the concert stage with Ziggy is the orchestrally-minded, magnificent pianist Dr Robert Manley. This recital is to showcase his work and development thus far […]

Joy Hester:  Love, Loss and Redemption - Kendrah Morgan (AUS) From the late 1930s to the end of the 1950s Joy Hester forged a body of work that was distinctly her own, groundbreaking in its conception and assertions. Working almost exclusively with ink and gouache on paper she broke with convention and used drawing as a tool to grasp the essence of being human. She portrayed life in all its complexity, tackling subjects that were highly provocative during her lifetime: […]

Elizabeth Taylor's Greatest Love – with Jewels - Adrian Dickens (AUS)  Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor has long been associated with jewels – diamonds in particular, and her legendary jewellery collection was said to be worth over $200 million at the star’s death.  Find out the fascinating stories behind the breathtaking collection that rivalled Cleopatra’s, the star who wore them and the man who bought most of them – Richard Burton.  Adrian Dickens trained in the UK before emigrating to Australia […]

The Importance of Being Oscar: The Life and Works of Oscar Wilde - Susannah Fullerton (OAM) (AUS) “Somehow or other I’ll be famous, and if not famous, I’ll be notorious” declared the young Oscar Wilde: he proved to be both! He translated his genius into stories, plays, poems and a novel and gained a place amongst the great Victorian writers. This lecture includes dramatic readings that bring to life Wilde’s extraordinary life story, his fall from fame and the creation […]

Rodin and the 19th Century - David Worthington (UK) Rodin is one of art history’s heroic figures of the 19th century and was internationally celebrated during his lifetime but after his death his reputation slipped and there were questions about his use of the female image. However, he is now seen as having in one career, taken sculpture on a revolutionary path equivalent to what the Realists, Impressionists and Post Impressionists did with many careers.  David Worthington is a sculptor, […]

Ticket also available at door. The first concert of its NSW Regional Tour will feature the Sydney Male Choir with guest artists from the Armidale Choral Society - concert not to be missed. The Sydney Male Choir (SMC), in existence since 1913, is a group of entertainers who love to sing and has an extensive repertoire,including favourites from music theatre, jazz, pop, folk and spirituals. The Choir's recent concert in Sydney Town Hall got rave reviews. The Armidale Choral Society […]

Acclaimed guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan have created a suite of music inspired by objects personally selected from the National Museum of Australia’s vast collection tracing Australia’s diverse and complex history. Incorporating all their influences from classical to jazz and contemporary music, performed on a variety of guitars (electric, 8 string tenor ukulele, 12 string and classical), audiences will see and hear the Grigoryan Brothers like never before.

Conserving Beauty: Technical Insights of Australian Impressionist Paintings – Michael Varcoe-Cocks (Australia - NGV, Melbourne) Technical art history is the examination of artworks using scientific equipment to reveal layers of information that offers unique insights into the artistic methods and materials found in each work. This evidence-based approach has yielded some of the most remarkable stories in Australian art. This lecture will discuss the examination and conservation of iconic works from the Australian Impressionist movement by Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton […]

St John Passion performed by Fiori Musicali Chamber Choir and Orchestra - Elias Wilson (Evangelist), Aidan O'Donnell (Christ), Ziggy Harris (Pilate), Sarah Adeney (soprano), Rowena Moon (alto), Leanne Roobol (alto) with Bruce Menzies (conductor).

For many years, fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book Lord of the Rings swept aside any suggestion that it was based on Richard Wagner’s four-opera Ring cycle.  Tolkien himself scoffed at the idea.  Yet, in the wake of Peter Jackson’s blockbuster film trilogy, more and more people saw Lord of the Rings as a profoundly Wagnerian blend of epic myth and powerful music.  This talk, incorporating video clips and recorded excerpts, will explore the fascinating links that connect Richard Wagner, the […]

Artist J M W Turner lived at a time of great social and scientific change.  More than anyone else he recorded, in thousands of works of art, the transition of Britain from a rural to an industrial society.  He was a fascinating character – secretive, driven, alternately penny-pinching and generous, chaotic in his private life and fiercely patriotic.  He is rightly regarded as one of the world’s greatest nineteenth century painters.  His likeness appears on the twenty pound note – […]

Turner - The Explorer - Robert & Catherine Ketton Artist J M W Turner lived at a time of great social and scientific change.  More than anyone else he recorded, in thousands of works of art, the transition of Britain from a rural to an industrial society.  He was a fascinating character – secretive, driven, alternately penny-pinching and generous, chaotic in his private life and fiercely patriotic.  He is rightly regarded as one of the world’s greatest nineteenth century painters. […]

The story of Russia is inextricably linked to two contrasting cities – Moscow and St Petersburg.  The Russian capital, Moscow is the historic seat of power with its impressive and world-famous landmarks like St Basil’s, the Kremlin and Red Square. Saint Petersburg was founded by Peter the Great as an artfully planned statement city of style and sophistication and as a doorway to the West.  This lecture considers the fascinating cultural history of these two great cities and most importantly […]