Thomas Dunford

Experience the lute’s intimacy and rare poetry Dubbed “the Eric Clapton of the lute” by BBC Music Magazine , dynamic young French virtuoso Thomas Dunford is the leading lutenist of his generation. Dunford has performed with many acclaimed ensembles, including Les Arts Florissants, The English Consort, La Serenissima and Les Siècles, and has released a series of award-winning recordings. With a stellar international career, he has performed recitals in such prestigious venues as New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s Wigmore Hall. This is an opportunity to experience the poetic intimaticy of solo lute in the beautiful, hushed atmosphere of the Opera House’s Utzon Room with a program featuring JS Bach’s first Cello Suite, transcribed for lute, alongside music by John Dowland, Marin Marais, Girolamo Kapsberger, Joan Abrosio Dalza and Erik Satie. In Dunford’s hands you’ll hear why the lute has remained such a captivating and magical instrument for hundreds of years. Sydney Opera House thanks Event Partner Pommery, Idealist donors Ezekiel Solomon AM, Ingrid Kaiser, Sheli Lubowski, Dr Eileen Ong, and Patsy Crummer for their support of Utzon Music. Presented by Sydney Opera House Repertoire John Dowland (1563–1623) A Dream The King of Denmark’s Galliard Melancholy Galliard Mrs Winter’s Jump Lachrimae Frog Galliard Erik Satie (1866–1925) Gymnopédie I Marin Marais (1656–1728) Les voix humaines en ré majeur (Suite n°3) L’Américaine en mi majeur (Suite d’un goût étranger) Erik Satie (1866–1925) Gnossienne I J.S. Bach (1685–1750) Suite pour violoncelle en sol majeur, BWV 1007 Prélude Allemande Courante Sarabande Menuet I & II Gigue Girolamo Kapsberger (1580–1651) Toccata VI (Primo Libro d’intavolatura de lauto) Joan Ambrosio Dalza (†1508) Calata alla Spagnola (Quarto Libro d’intavolatura de lauto)