The elegance of Mozart and the fun of masked revelry came together in spectacular fashion at the ‘Mozart Masquerade’ concert, held on Saturday evening at the George Cardinal Pell Grand Hall in Campion College on 18 April.
The event, jointly hosted by the Priestly Society of St Peter (FSSP) and by Campion College’s Centre for the Study of the Western Tradition, formed a highlight of the annual Sydney Catholic Music Festival, now in its third year.
The festival continues to grow as a celebration of faith, culture and community, offering a range of activities including an all-ages talent show, family barbecue and art exhibition.
This year’s exhibition, curated by Mrs Elizabeth Brazier, featured an impressive collection of sacred artworks by local Catholic artists, inspired by the mysteries of the Rosary.
Concert-goers, many donning elaborate masks in keeping with the evening’s theme, enjoyed refreshments while admiring the works before the performance began.
The concert itself showcased the ensemble Vera Musica, under the baton of Dr Jeremy Bell, whose deep appreciation for Mozart’s repertoire shaped the evening’s program.
A chamber ensemble of eight instrumentalists accompanied four operatic soloists – tenor Joshua Oxley, soprano Sheridan Oxley, soprano Meg Adeney, and baritone Ben Caukwell – performing to an audience of around 80 attendees.
Adeney, founder of Vera Musica and a driving force behind the festival’s musical programming, said the aim was to make classical music more accessible to the Catholic community.
“We want to provide quality music in an accessible manner,” she said.
“I was brought up on more popular styles and only discovered classical and baroque music later in life. We have such an incredible heritage of musical richness – I had to develop the ears to hear and the heart to receive it. Now, I want to help others do the same.”
Drawing on the comedic themes of disguise and deception found in Mozart’s operas, the masquerade concept offered a creative and engaging way to introduce audiences to the genre.
A member of the orchestra said the event was “as much about cultural enrichment as they are opportunities to dress up, perform and have fun”.
Audience members responded enthusiastically. One attendee noted that the performance sparked a newfound interest in opera.
“I was never that interested in opera, but this concert really opened that world to me. I’ve been listening to The Marriage of Figaro all week.”
Another guest praised the family-friendly atmosphere, highlighting the rare opportunity to enjoy classical music in a setting welcoming to children.
