The event, to be held within the iconic Queen Victoria Building on February 24, will comprise a musical expedition through the Divine Comedy – Dante’s greatest work.
Divided into three movements, the evocative music will guide listeners through the mystical journey from Dante’s gloomy inferno to his celestial heaven.
For the performance, Sydney-based Italian pianist Mauro Colombis will be joined by the Cousin Quartet, the Choir of Christ Church St Laurence, and Grant Lyndon.
Colombis has two masters in classical piano performance, having studied at the Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory in Russia and the Marcello Venice Conservatory in Italy.
For almost 20 years, Colombis has collaborated with the global entertainment industry, playing the piano for films, and has performed across Australia, Italy, Thailand and China.
“The idea came from the director of the IIC, Lilo Guarneri,” Colombis explained.
“I composed the music for the string quartet, and for the piano.
“I wanted to create a suspenseful, terrifying atmosphere when I composed the music for the hell segment of the performance.
“I’m really looking forward to this unique event and performing with my family.”
The Cousin Quartet consists of two sets of siblings who are cousins.
Beatrice and Dylan Colombis both play the violin, while Hanna Wallace plays the viola and her brother Jamie plays the cello.
Both sets of siblings learned to play their instruments from their grandfather, Yasuki Nakamura AM, the honorary president of the Suzuki Music Association in Australia.
The Choir of Christ Church St Laurence is one of the oldest ongoing choral groups in Australia and was founded shortly after the consecration of the church in 1845.
The choir specialises in Gregorian chants and is regularly heard on national radio.
Grant Lyndon is a trained actor, presenter, musician and writer, and has worked across many platforms, including TV, radio and film.
During A Journey with Dante, guests will be serenaded with music while listening to Lyndon’s powerful voice reciting verses from the Divine Comedy.
For more information, visit the website.
