Southern Cross Soloists | 30 Years of Music-Making
23 February, 2025, QPAC, Brisbane, QLD
Southern Cross Soloists celebrated their milestone 30th birthday with a joyous concert in the QPAC Concert Hall on Sunday afternoon. A sparkling chandelier, confetti and colourful dresses added to the festive spirit.
Soprano Alexandra Flood flew in from Vienna to join Southern Cross on stage for this occasion, treating us to arias by Mozart and Strauss. She has been a long-time friend of the ensemble and performed with them numerous times over the years, so it was a nice touch to bring her back.
The concert began with a distinctly Australian flavour, with the world premiere of the latest new work in the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project. Wayfinding by Leah Curtis and Chris Williams explores new ways of making more resonant sounds on the didgeridoo to evoke a powerful, emotional response. The piece also symbolises the wayfinding journey through challenging or uncertain times, navigating landscapes both physically and emotionally.
Wayfinding was written while the fires blazed in Los Angeles, as Leah witnessed the homes and music studios of her friends being reduced to ash. She dedicated the work to those Australians living in LA affected by the fires, especially those in the music industry. It also recognises the devastating bushfires we’ve had in Australia over the years, using music as a way of healing.
After this reflective moment, it was time to shift gears and get the birthday party started. The rest of the program was a Vienna-style gala concert, featuring well-known works by Strauss, Beethoven, and Mozart.
First, we heard Strauss’s Emperor Waltz, performed by the ensemble and SXS Next Gen Alumni, Chaeeun Oh (violin) and Jessica Walther (flute). This is one of his most famous pieces, and it’s easy to appreciate its enduring appeal.
Alexandra walked onstage in a dazzling golden skirt to perform two Mozart arias, Ah se in ciel, benigne stelle (Ah if in heaven, benign stars) and Un moto di gioia (A rush of joy) from The Marriage of Figaro. Alexandra portrayed the character of Susanna, warm, charming and technically brilliant. Then the second aria was a dramatic show piece, displaying her virtuosity.
Southern Cross Soloists’ co-artistic directors Margaret Blades and Ashley Smith had their moment to shine in Beethoven’s Septet. Featuring violin and clarinet, this piece was full of colourful dialogues, thematic richness, and recurring musical motifs, and ever-changing textures. Margaret finished it off with a showy cadenza.
Alexandra returned on stage, this time in a royal blue ballgown for two Strauss arias, Mein Herr Marquis from Die Fledermaus and Voices of Spring. In Mein Herr Marquis, a maid in Einstein’s household mocks his self-importance with an exaggerated, flirty tone, combining lively melodies with humorous characterisation. This contrasted the Voices of Spring waltz, which symbolised the awakening of nature after winter, evoking imagery of birds and blossoming flowers. Alexandra then brought the concert to a dramatic finish.
After the concert, we had the chance to mingle with the artists at the bar and enjoy the birthday celebrations.
Photo Credit: Stephen Henry
