Canowindra, already famous for wine, cuisine and heritage is about to add an ambitious new string to its bow as a regional cultural attraction. Baroquefest is an inaugural 3-day celebration during October with music from the renowned
16th century era of classical giants. Baroquefest is the dream-come-true of
Canowindra Fine Music, a volunteer committee chaired by Rosnay vigneron Richard Statham, which has been inspired by the popularity of regular visits over the past decade to Canowindra by musicians from Sydney, Mitchell and Orange Conservatoriums.
“Music from the Baroque era holds a special appeal for many these days, and baroque festivals have seen huge attendances in most Australian capital cities,” Richard says. “Why should they only be held in the cities?” “Our vision is to hold a festival of fine music annually here in Canowindra,” Richard said.
“We’re already planning for a festival in 2016 and have attracted the interest of the Australian Brandenberg Orchestra.”
Baroquefest has attracted enthusiastic support, both from the classical music community and major funding organisations. With two months to go before the concerts, almost $20,000 has already been received in grants and donations from the Australian Arts Council, Musica Viva, Orange Regional
Arts Foundation and Cabonne Council. The festival has also received the significant seal of approval from ABC Radio’s longstanding producer /presenter Marian Arnold who has agreed to be a patron of Canowindra Fine Music and will host the Baroquefest concerts.
“I grew up in the Central West of NSW and in recent years I have been overjoyed to watch this region’s musical development,” Marian says, hailing the Baroque period as “what is perhaps for many of us the pinnacle of the Western harmonic tradition, and its richness and depth have been far reaching.” “My hope is that Canowindra’s enterprising new Baroquefest venture will succeed and prosper well into the future.”
For ticketing information, visit www.canowindra.org.au/baroquefest