It’s a Saturday evening in summer. You’re sitting in a park with family and friends, and a fabulous picnic dinner. The picture is complete when the glorious live music from Opera Australia begins.

Hear our brightest stars, under the stars, sing opera's most famous arias with the magnificent backing of Orchestra Victoria.

Dress up — or not — it's your night to enjoy the power of the human voice in the kind of communal, cultural celebration Melbourne loves best.

Children aged 0-5 and their adults can explore, play and join in with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in these musical workshops.

Presented by educator, composer and conductor, Karen Kyriakou this jam focuses on one of the greatest classical composers of all time - Mozart

White Hat recommends early booking as these events usually sell out in advance.

The Australian Chamber Orchestra with Lorenza Borrani (director & violin) perform:

• Prokofiev (arr. Lorenza Borrani) Violin Sonata No.1 in F minor
• Dobrinka Tabakova Such Different Paths (Australian Premiere)
• Beethoven (arr. strings) String Quartet in F major, Op.135

Over the years, White Hat has found that the Australian Chamber Orchestra has consistently brought us some of the most thoughtfully constructed and thought-provoking concerts on the Australian scene. This concert is no exception.

Beethoven's late string quartets strain to break the limitations of their limited forces and gain a useful new perspective when occasionally heard in arrangement for string orchestra. Similarly Prokofiev's Violin Sonata No.1 provides different insights when the piano is replaced by string orchestra. As an interlude between these powerful works, Bulgarian-British composer Dobrinka Tabakova’s Such Different Paths offers a radiant interlude evoking life’s journey.

Fiery and charismatic Italian violinist Lorenza Borrani, who delighted audiences on her last tour here in 2016, returns to lead this program of emotionally rich music.