Love Unheard: Celebrating Queer Composers Through Music

A concert Celebrating the Love of Two Melbourne Queer Men who have Travelled the World Together

Can you feel it? The heartbeat of love that refuses to stay silent? 

Love Unheard: Celebrating Queer Composers Through Music invites you to experience a celebration of love and artistry. Inspired by the remarkable journey of two Melbourne queer men who have traveled the world together, this concert tells the story of their extraordinary bond — a love that transcends borders.

This concert will feature two world premieres by gay Australian composer Christopher Healey: ‘PRIDE!’ —commissioned as a gift for Midsumma, Melbourne’s queer community, and the Victorian Pride Centre — and 'A Star, A Journey, A Fire'. This concert will also feature Ensemble CANE joined by MSO Violist, William Clark along with solo performances by Adam McMillian, Eliza Shephard, and Cristiano Terra.

Be part of this unforgettable evening of music, connection, and PRIDE!. Together, let’s make love louder than ever.

For more information regarding the event and the artists, please visit loveunheard.com.au.

Ensemble CANE

Ensemble CANE is a collaboration between Australian composer, Christopher Healey, and the extraordinary musicians, Niels Bijl (saxophone), Adam McMillan (piano) and Eliza Shephard (flute). CANE presents repertoire to delight and stir modern hearts and minds. They champion and foster contemporary works by Australian composers, present undiscovered gems and breathe fresh life into classic masterworks.

Soloists

Adam McMillan is a Melbourne-based pianist, performing regularly as a recitalist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist. He has received awards including first prize in the MRC Great Romantics Competition, the Musica Viva Chamber Music Prize and first prize in the Queensland Piano Competition. Adam performs as one half of Duo Piaggio alongside award-winning violinist Kyla Matsuura-Miller, and as member of Ensemble CANE.

Eliza Shephard is a vibrant performer based in Melbourne and is quickly paving her way as an educator, improviser, and collaborator. Winner of the ABC Young Performers Award, her talents as a flute player and creative artist earned her the position of a finalist in the Classical Freedman Fellowship in 2021, and she has received many accolades for the boldness and imagination she brings to her projects.

Cristiano Terra is a recitalist, concerto soloist, and chamber musician based in New Zealand. Before migrating to New Zealand, he performed all over the world such as in Brazil, the United States, Canada, China, and New Zealand. He also founded the harp ensemble Citharis, a group of 17 harpists, and established two harp courses at renowned music schools in Santa Catarina. Cristiano performed with his students in 14 different cities, leaving his legacy in the harp community of Santa Catarina/Brazil.