Return of The Queens - Kings Arise - 27 September

Return of the Queens -Kings Arise centres on figures of authority — women whose public power often stands in tension with private truth. These are roles of weight and stillness, requiring clarity of intention and dramatic integrity. With music by Handel, Gluck, Donizetti, Rossini and Verdi, this programme brings royal ambition, conflict and revelation vividly to life.

Queens, kings, love, betrayal and power come alive in a thrilling afternoon of opera and music theatre. Journey through history and legend as TOSC soloists and ensemble bring legendary rulers to life through music filled with drama, passion, intrigue and unforgettable melodies.

From moments of triumph and political ambition to vulnerability, romance and heartbreak, these fascinating characters step from the pages of history onto the stage in a richly entertaining concert experience. Featuring music by some of opera’s greatest composers, Return of the Queens: Kings Arise showcases the artistry and storytelling for which The Opera and Song Collective has become known.

Under the musical direction of Maestro Simon Kenway, Sydney’s leading operatic and song ensemble invites you to experience an afternoon of powerful music and compelling drama. Following the concert, join the performers and fellow audience members for refreshments and conversation in the courtyard.

More than a concert, Stormlight is a festival afternoon celebrating the richness and diversity of contemporary vocal music.

Across one immersive afternoon, audiences journey through music theatre, chamber music, Shakespeare, contemporary song and new Australian composition. Internationally acclaimed masterpieces stand alongside works by living Australian composers, many presented under the guidance of the artists who know them most intimately.

The programme features scenes from Thomas Pasatieri's Lady Macbeth, performed by soprano Samanta Lestavel under the musical direction of Tristan Entwistle, who also directs and performs in his own Shakespeare-inspired Much Ado About Nothing. Pianist Bradley Gilchrist leads David Tunley's evocative A Wedding Masque, while soprano Leah Thomas, flautist Christine Draeger and pianist Claire Race collaborate in the shimmering sound world of Kaija Saariaho. Charlotte Merz and Claire Race collaborate in songs by the  noted Australian composer. Ross Edwards. Bass-baritone Michael Lampard directs performances of his own cantata At the Harbour's Edge, and soprano Maria Hemphill performs songs by her father, Australian composer Nigel McDougall, celebrating a deeply personal musical legacy.

Stormlight is more than a showcase of contemporary repertoire—it is a meeting place where composers, performers and audiences come together in a shared creative experience. From psychological drama and Shakespearean wit to luminous soundscapes and intimate Australian storytelling, this festival afternoon reveals contemporary music that is imaginative, accessible and profoundly human.

Join TOSC afterwards in the courtyard to meet the performers, composers and fellow music lovers.