Celebrate the King’s Birthday long weekend at the Woodend Winter Arts Festival

Friday 9 June - Monday 12 June

The Coronation of King Charles may be happening this weekend, however it’s the King’s Birthday long weekend this June that will see the Macedon Ranges in full swing, as the 18^th Woodend Winter Arts Festival takes place.

Keeping with the King theme, one of the highlights of the four-day program will be two soul stirring performances of Music for the King - Handel’s Coronation Anthems & Dettingen Te Deum, performed by Ensemble Gombert & Accademia Arcadia.

Other program highlights include an incredible performance of the first piano by Festival founder and Director, Jacqueline Ogeil, and an intriguing discussion with John O’Donnell as he discusses his fascinating forthcoming book, detailing who really wrote the Shakespeare works.

Keep reading below to learn more and check out the full four-day program online. Tickets are on sale now and selling fast.

Music for the King - Handel’s Coronation Anthems & Dettingen Te Deum

Ensemble Gombert & Accademia Arcadia

Witness One of Australia's most outstanding chamber choirs, Ensemble Gombert, as they are joined by Baroque chamber ensemble, Accademia Arcadia, for two outstanding performances. Under the direction of John O’Donnell, they will perform Music for the King – Handel’s Coronation Anthems & Dettingen Te Deum.

The four Coronation Anthems are among Handel’s most cherished choral works. They were composed for performance in Westminster Abbey at King George II’s coronation on 11 October 1727, and Zadok the Priest has been sung at every coronation of a British monarch since that time. The Dettingen Te Deum, composed to celebrate British victory in the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, is a lesser-known work, but powerful and highly festive, certainly a worthy companion to the Coronation Anthems.

When: Saturday 10 June (4pm) & on Sunday 11 June (7pm)
Where: St Ambrose Church, Woodend
Tickets: On sale now, priced from $53 to $63

Music for the First Piano

Jacqueline Ogeil

Enter the sound world of 1700, where the beginnings of a classical approach to music was being explored, and where a keyboard instrument was invented that could shape and shade dynamics. This elegant program explores early classicism in the keyboard literature and the new expressive sound world of the first piano, performed by the Founder and Artistic Director of the Festival, Jacqueline Ogeil.

Words & Ideas: Shakespeare Vnmobled

John O’Donnell introduces his book, Shakespeare Vnmobled: The Authorship Question definitively answered

A renowned musician, John O’Donnell’s other passion is Shakespeare. Over the past three decades he has explored both the identity of the Bard and the many plays and other writings that are not currently included in the Shakespeare canon. Join John as he introduces his book Shakespeare Vnmobled, and as his presents incontrovertible evidence on the true author.

Discover Woodend

The Woodend Winter Arts Festival takes in place in the charming village of Woodend. Located in the heart of the Macedon Ranges, Woodend is a lively and welcoming village, which has successfully maintained its small country town charm over the years. The historic main street is lined with cosy cafés, boutique stores and country pubs, while Mount Macedon provides a stunning backdrop.

FESTIVAL PASS

For a limited time, you can buy a Festival Pass for $160 and choose from four of WWAF’s music events. Get in quick, a Festival Pass must be purchased before the 21st of May!