Katie Noonan’s Australian Vocal Ensemble (AVÉ) will launch its debut album, Tumbling Like Stars, in a mesmerising concert on 10 September at the Brisbane Festival.
AVÉ, led by ARIA award-winning artist Katie Noonan, presents a unique and visionary performance that celebrates a new vocal sound world in an intimate chamber setting exploring the evocative words of Brisbane poet David Malouf.
The ensemble which consists of four exceptional Australian vocalists: mezzo-soprano Fiona Campbell, tenor Andrew Goodwin, bass-baritone Andrew O’Connor, and soprano Katie Noonan herself, who share a passion for storytelling through music which has led them to collaborate with 12 Australian composers on the project.
“For years, I have been dreaming of singing in an a cappella ensemble like AVÉ. Surrounded by these three truly extraordinary artists is challenging and inspiring, and I believe we’re creating a special and unique sound world that I hope will bring succour and joy,“ Katie said.
The heart of AVÉ’s repertoire for this program lies in the essence of Brisbane/Meanjin, where they are based.
David’s poems beautifully capture the stories of the area with deep affection and rich detail, adding a unique local identity to AVÉ’s program.
Dame Quentin Bryce, the patron of AVÉ said: “Imagination, ideas, magic; hallmarks of Katie Noonan’s contribution to our cultural life. Sparkling, enriching, and inclusive in every sense, again and again, she amazes with her capacity to translate dreams into reality, captivating us with the way she lifts our hearts, taps into our emotions, laughter, sometimes a raw nerve or two, an awakening, with generosity in spades.“
The performance will celebrate the release of their first full album Tumbling Like Stars which features an exquisite selection of tracks, each bearing the mark of a living Australian composer, including Anne Cawrse, Robert Davidson, Connor D’Netto, Iain Grandage, Thomas Green, David Hirschfelder, Alice Humphries, Zac Hurren, Stephen Leek, Katie Noonan, Richard Tognetti, and Jessica Wells.
The performance will be held on 10 September at 6.30pm at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University as part of the Brisbane Festival.
