Chamber music in North Sydney gets a proper afternoon out this Sunday. Alice Giles, Jonathan Henderson and James Wannan will perform at The Independent Theatre on 4 October, from 3pm to 4.10pm. Doors open at 2pm, with complimentary tea or coffee before the music begins. Tickets are priced from $30 to $90.
A French-centred program on Miller Street
The concert places French music at the front of the stage. Debussy’s Sonata and Syrinx feature in the program. Fauré’s Impromptu also appears, along with Arnold Bax’s Elegiac Trio. Contemporary works by Bruno Mantovani and Elena Kats-Chernin round out the afternoon.
It is a tidy fit for the venue. The Independent Theatre gives chamber music in North Sydney the close setting it deserves. The performance should reward listeners who like their music up close and unforced.
Alice Giles brings a long harp career
Alice Giles comes to the harp with a serious international record. She won first prize at the 8th Israel International Harp Contest. Since then, she has given solo recitals at Wigmore Hall, Merkin Hall, 92nd St Y, Frankfurt’s Alte Oper and even Mawson Station in Antarctica.
Her work has stretched well beyond solo performance. She has appeared at chamber music festivals including Marlboro Music and Schleswig Holstein. She has also performed as concerto soloist across Asia, Europe, the United States and Australia. Giles lectures at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She also founded Harp Centre Australia.
Jonathan Henderson and the flute line
Jonathan Henderson adds depth on flute. His career spans Australia and the Nordic countries. In 2012, he became Principal Flute of the Estonian National Opera Orchestra. He held that role until 2019.
He also worked as Guest Principal Flute with the Turku Philharmonic and Tampere Philharmonic orchestras. In Australia, he has performed with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra and Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Henderson founded Contra Concerts and serves as its Artistic Director. That gives this concert a clear artistic home.
James Wannan’s broad musical range
James Wannan brings the viola into sharp focus. He plays with Southern Cross Soloists and works as an Artistic Associate of Sydney Chamber Opera. He also teaches chamber music and viola at the Sydney Conservatorium’s Rising Stars program.
Wannan studied in Melbourne, Sydney and Vienna. His experience stretches across viola d’amore, vielle, rebec, violin and oud. He has also appeared as a soloist with several Australian orchestras. That range should give the afternoon real colour.
A local concert with real polish
Chamber music in North Sydney does not often arrive with this much experience in one room. This program brings three established artists together in a setting that suits their style. For local listeners, that is the draw. It is music made for close attention, and Miller Street should suit it well.
Published 9-September-2026
