Founded: 2001, Australia

In 2001 Antony Walker formed with Alison Johnston the professional chorus Cantillation and the chamber orchestras Sinfonia Australis and Orchestra of the Antipodes. Orchestra of the Antipodes, Sydney, is an occasional baroque orchestra, which accompanies the annual performance season of Pinchgut Opera, a professional company.

Initially formed to record baroque and early works for ABC Classics, the orchestra has been the orchestra in Pinchgut's productions of L'Orfeo and Dardanus. Consisting of a group of Australia's best early music players including Neal Peres Da Costa, Danny Yeadon, Rachael Beesley, Anna McDonald and Nicole Forsyth the orchestra will in Idomeneo play authentic instruments of the early classical era.

As well as the Pinchgut recordings, the orchestra has recorded Handel's Messiah (on CD and DVD) and a selection of Bach arias and duets with Sara Macliver and Sally-Anne Russell. In 2004 Orchestra of the Antipodes recorded the complete Brandenburg concertos, and this will be released in 2006. Most recently released is a CD of Baroque Duets featuring the Pergolesi Stabat Mater which won the inaugural ABC Classic FM listener's choice award in 2005.

In 2005 projects included concerts at the Art Gallery of NSW, and concerts, recording and a tour with English soprano Emma Kirkby. In 2006 as well as the performances of Mozart's Idomeneo, Orchestra of the Antipodes will be making a CD's of the Mozart Requiem and Bach arias with bass baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes.

Source: Pinchgut Opera Website (Past Productions page)
Contributed by Teddy Kaufman (September 2006):

Antony Walker: Short Biography | Orchestra of the Antipodes | Recordings

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