Australian Chamber Orchestra: From Winter's Stillness
City Recital Hall (1-7 Aug) Sydney Opera House (9 Aug) 2026
Information
Presented by the Australian Chamber Orchestra
From Winter's Stillness
Trio Mediæval and Arve Henriksen join Richard Tognetti and the ACO for a soul-stirring evocation of ancient landscapes and Northern light.
Journey into the cold, clear beauty of the Nordic world as Richard Tognetti, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Trio Mediæval and acclaimed Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen come together for an extraordinary musical collaboration.
Inspired by snow-covered mountains, ancient hymns and the quiet majesty of Scandinavia, this evocative program blends medieval sacred music, contemporary masterpieces and fearless new works into a deeply immersive concert experience.
Ethereal voices, luminous strings and Henriksen's unmistakable trumpet create a sound world that is both ancient and modern—an unforgettable evening of wonder, reflection and breathtaking artistry.
The Program
From medieval hymns of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Estonia to the contemporary voices of Sigur Rós, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Alfred Schnittke and Terry Riley, this program traverses centuries while remaining beautifully unified.
The concert features Guðnadóttir's newly commissioned work for the Australian Chamber Orchestra alongside Schnittke's thrilling Concerto Grosso No. 1, Riley's electrifying Half Wolf Dances Mad in the Moonlight, Nordic folk traditions and haunting sacred melodies.
Together these works create an immersive musical landscape inspired by winter, silence, spirituality and the enduring beauty of the North.
A Concert of Wonder
Performing with an expanded ensemble that includes the ACO's 2026 Emerging Artists, the Orchestra brings extraordinary richness and depth to this unique collaboration.
Trio Mediæval's luminous harmonies and Arve Henriksen's expressive trumpet have captivated audiences worldwide. Together with Richard Tognetti and the ACO, they create a performance that is intimate, atmospheric and profoundly moving.
Whether you're discovering Nordic music for the first time or are a longtime lover of adventurous classical performance, this is a concert that will stay with you long after the final note.
Featured Artists
Richard Tognetti AO Director & Violin
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Trio Mediæval Vocals
Arve Henriksen Trumpet
"A soul-stirring concert that will stay with you long after you leave the concert hall."
— Australian Chamber Orchestra
Event Details
National Tour: 25 July – 9 August 2026
Venues: Llewellyn Hall, Canberra Hamer Hall, Melbourne Adelaide Town Hall Winthrop Hall, Perth City Recital Hall, Sydney Sydney Opera House Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane
Performance Duration: Approximately 2 hours, including interval.
Featuring: Richard Tognetti AO Australian Chamber Orchestra Trio Mediæval Arve Henriksen
Highlights: Music by Terry Riley, Sigur Rós, Tõnu Kõrvits, Alfred Schnittke, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Arve Henriksen and traditional Nordic hymns.
Tickets: From $49. Save up to 20% with an ACO Flexi-subscription.
Recommended For: Ages 8+ • Classical music lovers • Contemporary music • Nordic music • Choral music • Adventurous concertgoers
