Autumn Lunchbox Concerts

Next date: Thursday, 30 April 2026 | 01:05 PM to 02:00 PM

Van Diemen's Band's immensely popular Thursday lunchtime concert series returns!

Enjoy a tempting menu of five short-form concerts curated by VDB’s Artistic Director, Julia Fredersdorff. These concerts showcase some of Tassie’s finest musical talent, alongside interstate and international guests.

Escape the hustle and bustle and step into an oasis of calm, listening to beautiful music in a casual and welcoming setting.

30 April - Jakob Lindberg (lute)

Internationally acclaimed for his live solo recitals, Swedish lutenist Jakob Lindberg is widely regarded as one of the finest lute players in the world. Based in London, where he's been professor of lute at Royal College of Music since 1979, Lindberg has played a pioneering role in reviving the lute in its many guises as part of the early music movement in the late 20th century. For his debut Launceston Lunchbox Concert he performs a hand-picked selection of his favourite works for solo lute.

Presented in association with Melbourne International Lute Festival.

7 May - Old Ground

Marshall McGuire (harp) & Simon Martyn-Ellis (theorbo)

Two exquisite instruments, beautifully played by Marshall McGuire (harp) and Simon Martyn-Ellis (theorbo) in solos and duos both old and new, spanning several centuries from 17th Century Europe to 21st Century Australia.

14 May - Czech Mate

Helena Zemanova & Julia Fredersdorff (Baroque violins) Jane Gower (bassoon) Lars Ulrik Mortensen (harpischord)

An international collaboration between some of the most exciting musicians working in historically informed performance today, from Australia, Denmark and the Czech Republic. Czech Mate features Czech violinist Helena Zemanová,VDB Artistic Director Julia Fredersdorff (Baroque violin), Australian dulcian specialist Jane Gower and Danish harpsichordist Lars Ulrik Mortensen performing exquisite Baroque music on the instruments for which it was originally written.

Presented in association with Sydney Opera House Utzon Music

21 May - Alexey Yemtsov (piano)

One of the finest pianists of his generation in Australia, Alexey Yemtsov brings his powerful virtuosity, technical precision, and tender lyricism to a program which includes a selection of the Bach-Busoni Choral Preludes.

28 May - A Baroque Family Songbook

Jacob Lawrence (tenor) & Elizabeth Anderson (harpsichord)

British-Australian tenor Jacob Lawrence is celebrated for his interpretations of vocal music from the Medieval to the Baroque eras, and frequently performs with renowned European ensembles like Vox Luminis and Profeti della Quinta. For this intimate recital he takes to the stage with his mother, Melbourne-based harpsichordist Elizabeth Anderson, to perform some of their favourite duo repertoire.