THE museS' Delight
historically informed
chamber ensemble
Euterpe, The Muse of music and lyric poetry by Simon Vouet, 17th century
“sensitive and beautiful expression”
“the interpretation by The Muses' Delight of this exhilarating music – electric”
Andrian Pertout, Classikon
“effortless mastery and high energy”
“straight from the hearts of the players to the hearts of the audience”
Bronwen Whyatt, Classic Melbourne
Charming audiences since 2017, The Muses’ Delight are one of Australia’s premier historically informed chamber ensembles.
Based in Melbourne and led by traverso (aka historical flute/s) player Meredith Beardmore, the ensemble is serious about historically informed performance practice. Time travellers at heart, they believe that using period instruments and informed practices provides exciting new ways to discover fresh and interesting sonic possibilities. Their rigorous historical approach is coupled with intelligent programming and a warm and inviting performance manner.
Exploring music from the 17th to 19th centuries, Meredith is joined by a range of talented period performers. The Muses’ Delight have performed to sold out audiences on their debut tour to regional NSW and VIC, have been guest artists at the Peninsula Festival, performed at intimate house concerts and internationally at the Urbino Early Music Festival in Italy. The Muses' Delight made their Melbourne Recital Centre debut early in 2022.
Composers and artists from the 17th and 18th centuries were inspired by the ancient Greek and Roman gods, and our name is a nod to this tradition. However, we dedicate our name to the women in this mythology, the nine muses, and in particular, Euterpe, the muse of music and whose name literally translates as the “giver of much delight”. The Muses’ Delight aims to not only please the muses, but of course, you our audience!
CONCERTS
Baroque Birds
Meredith Beardmore (flute), Peter Hagen (harpsichord)
Join The Muses’ Delight as they explore French Baroque music inspired by birdsong.
A varied musical flock will be heard from a chirping cuckoo, the darting flight of the swallow, to the themes of love conjured up by the turtledove and nightingale. You may even hear a pecking chicken!
7pm Thursday 1 December
Australian Digital Concert Hall, live or online
The Athenaeum 2
188 Collins St, Melbourne
