10 Oct

The Shape
of Music

Discover the magic of live improvised music and art with award-winning composer Matt Ottley and acclaimed pianist Ayesha Gough. This Queensland premiere explores creativity through Ottley's synaesthesia, featuring conductor Marco Bellasi and special guests.

Presented by The Lighthouse Toowoomba

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#Music created live from art
as you've never seen it before

The Shape of Music is a captivating contemporary classical musical performance that sheds light on the mysteries of the creative process. Born from award-winning artist/composer/author Matt Ottley’s condition of synaesthesia, this special Queensland premiere features live improvised music based on drawings Matt will create on stage, performed by internationally acclaimed pianist Ayesha Gough, joining forces with Matt for the first time in this compelling performance.

Other special guests, including conductor/violinist Marco Bellasi and Philip Griffin on plucked strings, will help explore the cross wiring of creativity, through Matt’s unique live compositional techniques showcasing how neurodiversity can lead to diverse approaches to creativity.

Audiences will also be treated to a selection of original compositions by Matt.

Join us in the foyer after the show to meet the musicians and have a chat.

An exhibition of Matt’s artworks, along with accompanying performances of his Sound of Picture Books initiative, will take place from 4-26 October at The Write Gallery, 126 Margaret Street, Toowoomba.

This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Times

Thursday 10 October - 7:00pm

Prices

Empire Cardholder $35.00

Adult $40.00

Concession $35.00

Groups 6+ $35.00

*a fee of $5 applies per transaction for online bookings.

Venues

Armitage Centre

Genres

Visual Arts, Classical Music

Run Time

90mins with short interval

Matt Ottley

MATT OTTLEY is an artist, author, composer and musician who is best known for the 40 or so books for children and young adults he has illustrated, written, and created music for. Matt is a multi-award winning artist with many of his works being published internationally, awards include the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Picture Book of the Year Award and the Prime Minister’s Award for Children’s Literature. In 2024 he was the Australian illustrator nominee for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award.

Matt is an Endorsed Yamaha musician and his scores have been performed by orchestras and musicians across Australia and internationally.

Ayesha Gough

AYESHA GOUGH is a highly awarded pianist known for her unique style and engaging performances. Her passion for finding new ways to connect with audiences has seen her branch out into the fields of improvisation, videography and creative writing. Ayesha graduated from the Royal College of Music, London, with a Masters with Distinction and has studied under renowned musicians Oleg Stepanov OAM and Boris Petrushansky. Ayesha has performed with the Russian National Orchestra, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and recitals have taken her throughout Australia, Italy, Japan and China. She regularly works with the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra and the Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra.

Marco Bellasi

MARCO BELLASI is a prize-winning conductor, chorus master, violinist, singer, composer and concert organizer. He has worked with many orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra and The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and is currently the principal conductor of the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra and of the Coolamon singers.

Philip Griffin

PHILIP GRIFFIN is a Brisbane-based musician, playing a wide variety of music styles, from Medieval through Baroque to Contemporary Modal Music influenced by the music of the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. He has played at festivals around Australia and toured internationally over many years. He also works as a singer, composer, conductor and arranger.