Contra Concerts

09/09/2026

Meet the artists: Harpist Alice Giles AM

The beauty of chamber music lies not only in the atmospheric music being performed, but in the musical conversation that emerges between the artists interpreting it. What makes this concert unique is the particular combination of voices brought together. Alice Giles, Jonathan Henderson and James Wannan will join forces in October, each an accomplished soloist in their own right with a distinctive musical voice.

During the concert, Alice Giles will step into the spotlight with Fauré’s Impromptu Op.86 for solo harp; where broad, luscious chords give way to lyrical falling motives which are then developed in a series of virtuosic variations.

Celebrated as one of the world's leading harp soloists, Alice Giles first attracted international attention when she won First Prize at the Israel International Harp Contest at just 21. Since then, she has appeared as a soloist at Wigmore Hall, New York's 92nd Street Y and the Frankfurt Alte Oper, and with leading orchestras throughout Australia and internationally. A champion of new music, Alice was regarded by composer Luciano Berio as the foremost interpreter of his Sequenza II and has premiered and commissioned numerous works for the harp. Her musical curiosity has taken her as far as Antarctica, where she performed at Mawson Station as an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow. In 2017, Alice was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to Australia's musical landscape.

GILES HENDERSON WANNAN – Chamber Music for Flute, Viola & Harp visits:

Newcastle
7:30pm, Friday 2 October, Conservatorium of Music

Sydney
3pm, Sunday 4 October, Independent Theatre

Brisbane
7pm, Wednesday 7 October, Old Museum Building

Whether you're a long-time supporter or discovering Contra Concerts for the first time, we'd love to welcome you. Tickets are now on sale and premium seating is limited.

Book your tickets at www.contraconcerts.com.au/2026

06/09/2026

There is something magical about the combination of flute, viola and harp. The music written for these three instruments inhabits a world of extraordinary colour, transparency and atmosphere. There is a beautiful simplicity to this unique and unusual combination of instruments that invites us to listen differently.

Chamber music offers something increasingly rare; In a world of constant notifications, deadlines and endless distraction, it gives us permission to pause, unplug and slow down. To spend an hour simply listening. This is something worth celebrating and Contra Concerts offers a chance to experience it as a collective.

Join us this October for a rare opportunity to leave the pace of the outside world behind, let your mind wander, and dare to get nothing done. Reserve your seat and immerse yourself in an hour of extraordinary music.

Touring to Newcastle, Sydney & Brisbane October 2-7

Harpist Alice Giles, flautist Jonathan Henderson and violist James Wannan join forces to present a programme centred around French music and contemporary living composers. Together, these three artists bring extensive international experience as soloists, chamber musicians and orchestral performers.

GILES HENDERSON WANNAN – Chamber Music for Flute, Viola & Harp visits:

Newcastle
7:30pm, Friday 2 October, Conservatorium of Music

Sydney
3pm, Sunday 4 October, Independent Theatre

Brisbane
7pm, Wednesday 7 October, Old Museum Building

Whether you're a long-time supporter or discovering Contra Concerts for the first time, we'd love to welcome you. Tickets are now on sale and premium seating is limited.

Book your tickets at

Tickets from $30

30/08/2026

Touring to Newcastle, Sydney & Brisbane October 2-7

Harpist Alice Giles, flautist Jonathan Henderson and violist James Wannan join forces to present a programme centred around French music and contemporary living composers. Together, these three artists bring extensive international experience as soloists, chamber musicians and orchestral performers.

GILES HENDERSON WANNAN – Chamber Music for Flute, Viola & Harp visits:

Newcastle
7:30pm, Friday 2 October, Conservatorium of Music

Sydney
3pm, Sunday 4 October, Independent Theatre

Brisbane
7pm, Wednesday 7 October, Old Museum Building

Whether you're a long-time supporter or discovering Contra Concerts for the first time, we'd love to welcome you. Tickets are now on sale and premium seating is limited.

Book your tickets at www.contraconcerts.com.au

09/07/2026

Evocative chamber music by three leading Australian artists, not to be missed. Touring nationally this October.

Tickets from $30

09/07/2026

Join two dynamic artists for an uplifting recital of works for flute and piano • Woollahra Uniting Heart & Soul Church (Sydney) • Thursday 13 August

Music by Beethoven, Bartók, Whitwell & more

Book now.
http://events.humanitix.com/waves

21/05/2026

We’re incredibly excited to announce that this October, Contra Concerts will return to Brisbane with a very special chamber music concert featuring flautist Jonathan Henderson, violist James Wannan and harpist Alice Giles.

Brisbane has remained a meaningful place for us to perform and after our last performances there in 2022 it feels especially significant to return with this particular ensemble and programme.

Contra Concerts is an independent, artist-led initiative and projects like this are only possible through a combination of ticket sales and the generosity of supporters who believe in ambitious, exceptional chamber music experiences.

If you would like to help us bring this concert to life we would be enormously grateful for your support. Every contribution makes a difference and donations over $2 made through the Australian Cultural Fund are tax-deductible.

EOFY Donations: https://tinyurl.com/contra2026