
Credit: Albert Comper
In this stunning new program, Van Diemen's Band collaborates for the first time with bass-baritone Andrew O’Connor to perform a program of sacred and secular works from 17th Century northern Germany.
This gloriously expressive repertoire, characterised by rich harmonies and playful dialogue, is the perfect medium to showcase the beauty of the baritone voice.
Set in the soaring acoustic of St John's, this concert features works by Tunder, Rosenmuller and Erlebach, and not one but TWO settings of Psalm 57 - Mein Herz ist Bereit (My heart is steadfast) - by Nicolaus Bruhns and Dieterich Buxtehude (the composer that JS Bach famously walked over 400 kilometres to Lübeck to see perform).
About the artists
ANDREW O'CONNOR, BASS-BARITONE
For more than a decade Perth-born Andrew O’Connor has maintained a busy freelance career encompassing opera, the concert platform, vocal chamber music, and the classroom.
Praised for his 'remarkable musicianship' (Limelight Magazine) and 'textured, fine-wine bass baritone' (ArtsHub) he appears regularly with many of Australia's leading music organisations.
Formerly a permanent member of The Song Company from 2015-2019, he is a Lay Clerk at St Mary's Cathedral, was an Associate Artist with Pacific Opera in 2019, and winner of the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Prize in 2020. In 2022 he made his international debut with the VOCES8 Foundation and in 2023 joined the American Bach Soloists Academy in San Francisco.
In 2024 Andrew made solo debuts with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra singing Handel's Messiah and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra singing the world premiere of Katy Abbott's Hidden Thoughts III: Stories of Awe.
Other recent projects included the entirety of Pinchgut Opera's 2024 Season including the role of Achilla in Handel's Giulio Cesare, three projects with The Song Company as part of their 40th Anniversary Season, further touring, recording, and creative development with AVÉ – Australian Vocal Ensemble, and numerous projects with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Bach Akademie Australia, Salut! Baroque, Moorambilla Voices and more.
VAN DIEMEN'S BAND
Based in the wild and unspoiled island state of Lutruwita/Tasmania at the southernmost tip of Australia, ‘Australia’s Baroque supergroup’ Van Diemen’s Band breathes new life into historically-informed performance, delivering extraordinary performances across Lutruwita/Tasmania and beyond.
Founded in 2016 by violinist Julia Fredersdorff, VDB varies in size from an intimate chamber group to a larger orchestra and comprises some of the country’s most highly respected early music specialists. Always seeking to break new ground, VDB has collaborated with guest artists such as French Baroque specialist Martin Gester, Persian/Afghani musicians Ensemble Kaboul and Tasmanian mandolin player Luke Plumb.
VDB is an active concert presenter in Lutruwita/Tasmania and delivers a range of education and community engagement programs each year.
Partners

Soloist | Andrew O'Connor, bass-baritone |
Van Diemen's Band | Julia Fredersdorff, Artistic Director & Baroque violin Latihika Vithinage, Baroque violin Laura Vaughan, viola da gamba Donald Nicolson, organ Simon Martyn-Ellis, theorbo |
MEIN HERZ IST BEREIT DIETERICH BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707) Prelude for Organ in A minor NICOLAUS BRUHNS (1665-1697) De Profundis JOHANN ROSENMÜLLER (1619-1684) Sonata Quinta à 3 in G minor N. BRUHNS Mein Herz ist bereit FRANZ TUNDER (1614-1667) O Jesu Dulcissime PHIILIPP ERLEBACH (1657-1714) Sonata Sesta in F Major D. BUXTEHUDE Mein Herz ist bereit |
Event and ticketing details
Date & Time
St Johns Anglican Church, Launceston |
Sat 25 October 2.00pm |
Tickets
Premium - Full | $55.00 Front 4 rows in downstairs section |
Premium - Concession | $49.00 Front 4 rows in downstairs section |
Standard - General Admission | $49.00 |
Standard - Concession | $43.00 |
$30 under 30 | $30.00 Limited availability |
Children (12 and under) | Free |
Wheelchair / Limited Mobility | $43.00 |
Companion Card Holder | Free - must be booked with Wheelchair / Limited Mobility Seat |
Booking Fees
Per booking | Our ticketing provider, Humanitix, passes on a small booking fee to cover the cost of service and merchant fees. 100% of booking fee profits are donated to charity by Humanitix. |
Location
Accessibility
Event notes
Duration
Approximately one hour with no interval.
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