LANDMARKS across Bendigo were filled with chamber music on Tuesday as Orchestra Victoria continued its Bendigo Festival.
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The festival began on Monday night at Sacred Heart Cathedral with a brass band performance.
It continued yesterday with musicians performing at the Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo Library, the Golden Dragon Museum and the Elmore Memorial Hall.
Orchestra Victoria general manager Julie Amos said Bendigo’s buildings and architecture made the city an attractive place to play in.
“Bendigo is incredible. We love coming here to perform, it's our pleasure,” she said.
“Elmore has such a strong community out there and a great hall. The brass group has visited previously and because of that history, the brass players asked about that hall. It has turned into great community event.”
Violinist Erica Kennedy has been with Orchestra Victoria for six years but missed last year’s Bendigo Festival.
“We love getting the orchestra play somewhere else. That doesn't happen that often,” she said.
“In terms of regional galleries that have spaces for chamber music, we can never get enough of that.”
Orchestra Victoria’s Bendigo Festival will culminate with a full orchestra concert at Ulumbarra on Friday evening.
“Ulumbarra is our grand finale. That performance will be conducted by Nicolette Fraillon and feature 60 musicians,” Ms Amos said.
“Nicolette is one of the most well-known, prolific conductors in the world. To have her talent and a full orchestra in that fantastic new theatre is exciting.”
“The acoustics in Ulumbarra are really well done, you have to credit the council with wanting to create a venue that is such a landmark destination. It has put Bendigo on the arts map.”
The Bendigo Festival continues today at The Capital’s Bendigo Bank Theatre at noon, Bendigo Library at 2pm and Bendigo Town Hall at 7pm. All performances are free.
The final show at Ulumbarra on Friday is Arabian Nights and Other Exotic Tales. It starts at 7pm. Tickets are $20.