The madrigals of early baroque composers Claudio Monteverdi and Barbara Strozzi capture the emotional range of the human condition with fiery fervour and sublime tenderness. Monteverdi's eighth book of madrigals (subtitled 'madrigals of war and love') contains some of his finest writing for voices and instruments. Barbara Strozzi's compositions display an affinity for the voice honed by her years as a professional singer, filled with yearning, desire, heartbreak and loss. In this concert we are joined by Canberra early music specialists Apeiron Baroque to bring you a selection of works by these two musical powerhouses of 17th century Italy.

The 'Aurora Borealis' and 'Aurora Australis' have terrified and captured the imagination of humankind for thousands of years. In our third concert of the year we present a selection of music that celebrates and pays homage to these celestial light-shows. Featuring music by Ēriks Ešenvalds, Veljo Tormis, Ola Gjeillo, Ben van Tienen and Sebastian Allen.

Music for the season? Absolutely. Carols? Less likely.

Join Oriana for a different kind of Christmas performance, where we explore music to ring in the holiday period, without assailing you with another rendition of 'Jingle Bells'!