Western Australian chamber choir The Giovanni Consort presents Songs for the Soul, a celebration of women’s voices and music. The women choristers will be joined on stage by Yi-Yun Loei on harp, and Wendy Tait and Doree Dixon on horns. The performance, at Government House Ballroom on 21 May, will feature repertoire by composers including  Amy Beach, Imogen Holst, Gustav Holst and Johannes Brahms.

“This concert represents what I hope will soon be the norm throughout our industry; a program of extraordinary music which moves and entrances our audience, in which both female and male composers are equally represented,” says Kate McNamara, the Consort’s conductor, Artistic Director and General Manager. She spoke to Limelight about the concert and about addressing the gender imbalance in classical music programming.

Kate McNamara

Kate McNamara. Photo supplied

When did you take over as the Giovanni Consort’s Artistic Director and General Manager?
I have been the Artistic Director and General Manager of the Consort since the start of 2021. I add my name to a long list of wonderful singers and conductors who have led the Consort over the last 28 years, and I am enjoying putting my...