Skip to main content

Utzon Music 2025 Bronzewing

18 May 2025

In the Utzon Room

Classical Music

Australian performer-composers Katie Yap and Donald Nicolson entwine early music gems and lyrical new compositions for the poetic combination of viola and harpsichord: Strozzi, von Bingen, Telemann, Nicolson/Yap and Sheppard. 

Outstanding skill and musicality.

ClassikON

Useful information:

A tranquil and tender duo

Katie Yap and Donald Nicolson share a passion for early music, and lyrical new music inspired by old compositional forms and the distinctive sound worlds of their unusual instruments: viola and harpsichord.  Performing Donald’s arrangements of two gorgeous melodies — Hildegard von Bingen’s 12th-century Ave Generosa and Barbara Strozzi’s 17th-century Che si puo fare — alongside a soulful Georg Philipp Telemann viola da gamba sonata repurposed for baroque viola, and Francois Couperin’s dreamy harpsichord solo Les Baricades Misterieuses, their program then opens out into Australian works by Emily Sheppard and the two performers themselves.  Sheppard’s Aftermath has been championed far and wide by Katie Yap, and combines singing and playing to stunning effect.  Penumbra and Black Cockatoos are Katie and Donald’s co-compositions, moving seamlessly between historical and contemporary sonorities and instruments, creating music of rich palimpsests. 

Presented by Sydney Opera House

Book early and save up to 25%

Save 20% when booking two Utzon Music concerts or 25% when booking three or more.

Early bird offer ends Monday 16 December 2025 11:59pm.

Book Utzon Music Multipacks

Artist Information

Katie Yap
viola and voice 

Donald Nicolson
harpsichord and keyboard

Program

Hildegard von Bingen arranged Nicolson Ave Generosa
Barbara Strozzi Che si puo fare
Georg Philipp Telemann Sonata in E minor for viola da gamba and continuo

Donald Nicolson Prelude for Dad 
Francois Couperin Les Baricades Misterieuses
Donald Nicolson Meditation on Les Baricades Misterieuses

Donald Nicolson and Katie Yap Penumbra
Emily Sheppard Aftermath

Donald Nicolson and Katie Yap Black Cockatoos

Plan your visit

You may also like

Balanas Sisters

16 Feb 2025

An Australian and Utzon debut from Latvian-born siblings Kristīne and Margarita Balanas, celebrated for their virtuosity and versatility.

  • Classical Music

Genevieve Lacey & James Crabb

22 Jun 2025

Charismatic Scottish-Australian classical accordion maestro James Crabb traverses musical centuries with Australia’s recorder virtuoso, Genevieve Lacey.

  • Classical Music

Sjaella

13 Jul 2025

Sublime singing from German acapella ensemble Sjaella, in an ethereal program celebrating their Utzon Room debut.

  • Classical Music

Checking availability