Elysium Ensemble

The Elysium Ensemble has been acclaimed by critics for its exciting performances, fine musicianship and authoritative interpretations of Baroque and Classical repertoire on period instruments.

It embodies the concept of “elysium” (defined in the 17th century as a state of ideal happiness) by bringing together musicians whose awareness of the stylistic demands of the repertoire is combined with a mastery of period instruments. The ensemble’s performances show the freshness and spontaneity the players bring to the collaboration through discussion, rehearsal, experimentation and research.

Founded in 1985 by its artistic director Greg Dikmans, the Elysium Ensemble has a flexible format: a small core drawn from Australia’s leading period-instrument specialists, expanded for larger orchestral works. Its annual Melbourne concert series has helped establish it as one of Australia’s finest chamber ensembles. It has performed widely across Australia, including at major festivals, and made numerous live broadcasts and concert recordings for the ABC. The ensemble is affiliated with the Early Music Studio at the University of Melbourne.

Artist's website: www.elysiumensemble.com

Elysium Ensemble is featured on the following titles

Venice to Versailles

Venice and Versailles stand for the two dominant Baroque styles in Europe: Venice for the robust, joyous exuberance and barocco character of the Italian manner, and Versailles for the refinement, delicacy, elegance and douceur of the French.

Performer
Producer

The Bedroom of the King (La Chambre du Roi)

Elysium Ensemble bring French chamber music of the early 18th century into the private apartments of Louis XIV: Couperin and Hotteterre in the douceur of Versailles and the Paris salons.

Performer

Members of Elysium Ensemble

Greg Dikmans

Greg Dikmans is a virtuoso of the baroque flute and recorder, and a conductor, educator and scholar who has long been at the forefront of the Early Music movement in Australia.

Lucinda Moon

Lucinda Moon is an Australian baroque violinist. Trained in Melbourne and The Hague, she is known for period-instrument performance and for leading work with major Australian early-music ensembles.

Genevieve Lacey

Genevieve Lacey is an Australian recorder virtuoso, creator and curator who has opened new ground for her instrument. She commissions and premieres contemporary work, performs music across ten centuries, and records extensively.

Elizabeth Anderson

Elizabeth Anderson has performed on eleven international concert tours to Europe, Japan and Singapore, and is a regular guest lecturer and performer at universities and music schools throughout Australia.

Linda Kent

Linda Kent has been a core member of the Elysium Ensemble and has performed with artists including Walter van Hauwe, Han Tol, Eva Legène and Stanley Ritchie. Her playing has been critically acclaimed for its sensitivity, insight and sense of style.

Jenny Ingram

Calvin Bowman

Calvin Bowman is acknowledged as one of Australia’s finest musicians: an outstanding organist, accompanist and chamber player who strives for nothing less than perfection.

Geoffrey Burgess

Geoffrey Burgess is a baroque oboist known for crisp, articulate and expressive period-instrument playing. He is a member of the Melbourne-based Elysium Ensemble.

Miriam Morris

Miriam Morris studied the viola da gamba with Wieland Kuijken and Jane Ryan. Her career has included many solo appearances and collaborations with leading early music ensembles, particularly in Australia.

Ann Murphy

Ann Murphy teaches harpsichord and thorough bass at the University of Melbourne. She has given numerous recitals in Australia as a soloist and in ensemble, and has recorded for the ABC.

John O'Donnell

John O’Donnell, Director of Ensemble Gombert, studied at the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music in Sydney and at the University of Durham. After performing Bach’s complete organ works in 1974, he built an international reputation as an organist and harpsichordist.