Bizarrerie | Van Diemen’s Band

Van Diemen’s Band invites you to discover some of the weird and wonderful instruments of the Baroque.

Bizarrerie puts the spotlight on some of the rare and unusual instruments from the Band’s collection.

Program highlights include Vivaldi’s Concerto for Lute and Viola d’Amore in D minor, showcasing the haunting, bell-like tones of the six-stringed viola d’amore, while Fasch’s Concerto for Gallichon gives this almost-forgotten instrument—a gut-strung hybrid that sits somewhere between a lute and a bass guitar—its moment in the spotlight. Also taking centre stage will be a brand-new piccolo violin crafted by Nipaluna luthier Douglas Coghill, along with a cornucopia of extraordinary instruments played by extraordinary musicians.

Whether you’re a Baroque enthusiast or just curious about music history’s more eccentric corners, Bizarrerie offers the chance to experience the Baroque era’s spirit of innovation and experimentation— brought to life with VDB’s signature blend of “performances of the highest calibre and an infectiously enthusiastic stage presence” (Sydney Morning Herald).

Creative Team

Julia Fredersdorff | Artistic Director & Baroque violin
Karina Schmitz | viola d’amore
Simon Martyn-Ellis | gallichon, lute
Van Diemen’s Band