Art Gallery of NSW Summer Events Program

COMEDY

The Bear Pack: Dutch masters

Improvised storytelling to leave you in stitches

In January, join Sydney's comedy duo Carlo Ritchie and Steen Raskopoulos of The Bear Pack to hear the untold tales of the Dutch masters, accompanied by cellist Ange Lavoipierre. Taking inspiration from your suggestions and the artworks on display in Rembrandt and the Dutch golden age, the Bear Pack will use their quick-wit and the art of skilful improvisation to build the characters and scenes that will take you back to 17th century Amsterdam. No two stories will be the same so don't miss out on a night which we guarantee will make you laugh-out-loud.

WHEN: 10-31 January 2018, Wednesdays 6.30pm

WHERE: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, The Domain, 2000.

MUSIC

Rembrandt Live

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra performs as part of Sydney Festival 2018

Rembrandt live is a theatrical encounter for the senses, marrying the treasures of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum with baroque performance and music, directed by John Bell with musical curator Paul Dyer.

Immerse yourself in the splendour of the Dutch golden age as members of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra perform among the treasures in the Gallery's exhibition Rembrandt and the Dutch golden age: masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum. At turns dramatic, evocative and light-hearted, this performance weaves through warmly lit rooms of 17th-century paintings: majestic landscapes, intimate portraits and meditative still-life works, reflecting an intense observation of nature and sensitivity to subtle human emotion.

Chiswick at the Gallery is open every night for dinner, with packages available when booking your Rembrandt live ticket. Or for something extra decadent, stay on after the performance for a baroque banquet, for two nights only, with a special menu designed by Matt Moran and Chiswick at the Gallery head chef Tim Brindley, inspired by the flavours of the era.

Co-presented by Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Sydney Festival. The performance is made possible by the generous support of Carole Lamerton, Robyn Martin-Weber, Margaret Olley Art Trust, Peter Weiss AO and Ray Wilson OAM.

WHEN: 6, 8-9, 11-12, 15-16, 22-23 January 2018, 6-7pm, 7.30-8.30pm with a baroque banquet 18-19 January, 6-10pm

WHERE: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, The Domain, 2000. Please meet at the information desk.

BOOK: Book online via the Sydney Festival

CONVERSATION

Conversations with James Valentine

Love and other mysteries of the Dutch golden age

Join ABC presenter James Valentine and guests for a drink and chat about love and other mysteries in the Dutch golden age.  

7 February: Rembrandt is a genius, or is he? A conversation with Lily Serna

James Valentine chats about genius with Lily Serna from SBS's Letters and numbers who also hosts the hit podcast Decoding genius, and Steven Alderton from the National Art School. Are we born with genius or is it created? Is a genius just the one who is remembered and has been lucky while others have disappeared into obscurity?

14 February: Capturing Love

From Vermeer's Woman reading a letter to Rodin's The kiss, James Valentine looks at the artworks that celebrate love. For this Valentine's Day special, get involved and vote for your favourite work of love on the night. Are works of love now commodified and caricatured or do we still value romance and passion?

WHEN: Wednesdays 6.30PM, 7 and 14 February 2018

WHERE: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, The Domain, 2000.