About

A photograph of thirteen classical musicians sitting and standing together in a group, holding their instruments, outside on a promenade next to a river

Melbourne Baroque Orchestra was founded in 2015 by local period instrumentalists eager to nurture and develop historical performance practice in Melbourne.

Founding musicians include violinists Shane Lestideau and David Irving, baroque flautist Greg Dikmans and cellist Rosanne Hunt. The orchestra enjoys the patronage of Elizabeth Wallfisch.

In and around Melbourne, MBO hosts its own annual concert series presenting  baroque and classical repertoire on original instruments and showcasing the outstanding qualities of our local players.

Melbourne Baroque Orchestra regularly collaborates with the Australian Chamber Choir, the Choir of Newman College, Polyphonic Voices, the Choir of Christ Church South Yarra and the Scots' Church Choir.

In December 2023, at the Melbourne Recital Centre, MBO made its debut with The Australian Boys Choir. Then in March 2024, the orchestra joined them, along with Polyphonic Voices and The Choir of Trinity College (University of Melbourne) and a stellar line up of soloists, under the direction of Michael Fulcher, for a performance of J.S.Bach's St Matthew Passion. In January 2024, MBO performed Handel's oratorio "Alexander's Feast" to great acclaim at the Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields Festival.

The support of the Robert Salzer Foundation, The Erica Foundation, Creative Partnerships Australia, and our growing family of generous private donors is gratefully acknowledged.

"I felt transported. I'm so grateful I was able to attend."
"Meditatively ecstatic, especially the first piece"(by Hildegard von Bingen, arr. Donald Nicolson)

Audience comments, The Chocolate Viola, October 2023

Meet some of our players

Cameron Jamieson

Violin

Greg Dikmans

Flute

Josephine Vains

Cello

Miranda Hill

Violone

Rosanne Hunt

Cello

Shane Lestideau

Violin

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