C & C Rigg Bequest Classic Music 2026 - in Special and Sacred Spaces

The next concert in our 2026 series is in Xavier College Memorial Chapel, Kew, with the return of Melbourne Capella, male-voice consort, directed by Nicholas Cowall, with Rohan Murray at the piano. Do join us for this continuation of wonderful music in Special and Sacred Places in 2026!

Concert 6 - Gardens, Goodbyes, and Serenades: German Lieder for Voices & Piano
Saturday November 21, 2026 at 3.00pm

Celebrate the beauty of Romantic song in the magnificent surroundings of Xavier College Memorial Chapel, Kew, with Melbourne Capella directed by Nicholas Cowall. Accompanied by pianist Rohan Murray, and with guest soprano Sophie Cowall, this acclaimed male-voice consort will explore the themes of love, loss and lullaby, through the poetic worlds of Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert and Alma Mahler.

The first half features charming duets and the poignant Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart by Robert Schumann, alongside a rare opportunity to hear songs by Clara Schumann, specially arranged for male chorus and piano. Following the interval, Melbourne Capella performs Brahms' spirited Five Duets, Op. 66, culminating in the majestic and deeply moving Alto Rhapsody, before concluding with Schubert's beloved Ständchen. Set within one of Melbourne's most inspiring and sacred spaces, built to commenorate Xavier Old Collegians who died in World War Two, this will be an unforgettable afternoon of choral artistry and Romantic masterworks.

• Robert Schumann - Drei zweistimmige Lieder Op 43, for choir & piano
• Robert Schumann - Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart, for soprano & piano
• Clara Schumann - 4 Songs, arranged by Nicholas Cowall for male chorus & piano
• Alma Mahler - In meines Vaters Garten from Fünf Lieder, No 2 soprano & piano
INTERVAL
• Johannes Brahms - 5 Duets Op 66, for choir & piano
• Johannes Brahms - Alto Rhapsody Op. 53, for soprano, male voice choir & piano
• Franz Schubert - Ständchen D. 920, for soprano, male voice choir & piano

Venue:
Xavier College Memorial Chapel
135 Barkers Road
Kew, VIC, 3101

"...chamber music as it was intended..."