Katie Noonan’s AVÉ Australian Vocal Ensemble makes Melbourne Recital Centre debut

Four of Australia’s finest vocalists come together as AVÉ Australian Vocal Ensemble in a heavenly celebration of chamber vocals.

2022 welcomes the launch of celebrated Australian singer-songwriter Katie Noonan’s new project AVÉ (Australian Vocal Ensemble), after years in the making. This world-class vocal quartet sees Noonan joined by tenor Andrew Goodwin (Sydney), mezzo-soprano Fiona Campbell (Perth) and bass baritone Andrew O’Connor (Sydney) as they embark on their first national tour following the release of their debut EP in August this year.

In their Tumbling Like Stars performance, AVÉ intertwines Australian compositions by Cawrse, Davidson, Iain, Green, Hirschfelder, Humphries, Hurren, Leek, Noonan, and Wells, with poetic a capella effortlessly. The result is a beautiful tension between  traditional European music and modern Australian classical music. This exceptional performance also features music commissioned specifically for these vocalists, accompanied by poetry works written by prolific Australian writer, David Malouf.

Katie Noonan is one of Australia’s most versatile and prolific artists, producing over twenty albums since she was first introduced as the lead singer of band George in 1996.

Since then, her work has spanned genres, including jazz, opera, and dance, with 27 ARIA award nominations for her contributions to Australian music.

Paired with Noonan are Andrew Goodwin, tenor, Fiona Campbell, mezzo soprano and Andrew O’Connor, bass baritone. After studying at the St Petersburg State Conservatory in Russia, Andrew Goodwin’s operatic career has seen him embrace a wide range of roles at some of the world’s greatest opera houses, including La Scala Milan, Gran Theatre Liceu Barcelona, Teatro Real Madrid and the Sydney Opera House. Goodwin has received critical acclaim for his performances in recordings for Pinchgut Opera, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the world premiere of Rodion Shchedrin’s Boyarina Morozova.

Multi-award-winning performer Fiona Campbell is recognised to as one of Australia’s most versatile and beloved singers, consistently entrancing audiences with her powerful performances and exquisite musicianship. Fiona has appeared as a principal artist in some of the most accomplished orchestras and ensembles in Australia and has been a fierce advocate for the arts through her work as a producer and ABC presenter.

In 2020, Andrew O’Connor was the winner of the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Aria Competition, following a stint as a core member of The Song Company, and a successful freelance career singing with some of Sydney’s leading music organisations. O’Connor is currently pursuing an emerging soloist career, as well as continuing to teach at the Perth Choral Institute Summer School, and as a guest conductor with the Gondwana Sydney Children’s Choir Young Men’s Choir.

Don’t miss an opportunity to see this totally unique performance of soaring vocals.

‘Hail to the sing for the Australian Vocal Ensemble’s glittering launch – 5/5 Stars’ Limelight

‘It was an enchanting evening in a celebration of the human voice, let us hope this is the first of many performances for AVÉ here and around the World.’ 4ZZZ