Concert 1 – Opening Gala Celebration: “Songs without words” – Lyrebird Trio

Concert 1 – Opening Gala Celebration: “Songs without words” – Lyrebird Trio

Friday 17 July, 2026, 7:00pm
Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music
Boundary Road, Ooralea

The 2026 Mackay Chamber Music Festival opens with a special evening of chamber music that feels immediate, intimate, and alive—performed up close by some of Australia’s most renowned musicians.

The Lyrebird Trio returns to Mackay to open the festival with this beautifully shaped program, centred on Songs without Words by Anne Cawrse, alongside a selection of Felix Mendelssohn’s much-loved miniatures, reimagined for piano trio. These works are built on singing lines and vivid character—music that feels direct, expressive, and deeply personal.

After interval, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel’s Piano Trio in D minor takes the spotlight—music of drive, depth, and striking emotional force, revealing a composer with a powerful and individual voice.

This is chamber music at its closest and most engaging—where every detail is felt, and the connection between musicians and audience is unmistakable. A powerful opening night and a rare chance to experience these works in an intimate setting that brings you right into the heart of the music.

After the performance, we invite you to join the artists in the foyer for complimentary drinks—generously donated by the Friends of the Con—and nibbles, kindly provided by an anonymous benefactor, as we toast the opening of the 2026 Mackay Chamber Music Festival.

CAWRSE, Anne (b. 1981) – Songs without Words 
MENDELSSOHN, Felix (1809 – 1847) – Selections from “Songs without Words”, arranged for Piano Trio 

-Interval-

MENDELSSOHN HENSEL, Fanny (1805-1847) – Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11 

Featuring Lyrebird Trio:
Glenn Christensen (violin)
Simon Cobcroft (cello)
Angela Turner (piano)