the marais project

Founded by Director Jennifer Eriksson, the purpose of The Marais Project is to perform works of Marin Marais and his contemporaries in a modern-day Australian context.

To date, concerts have included unique and exciting collaborations with other artists and art forms, including French poetry, baroque dance and contemporary ceramics. One of the highlights of the series has been the commissioning of several new works by Australian composers; Stephen Yates, Matthew Perry and Kevin Hunt.

The Marais Project is regularly joined by a range of wonderful guest artists. See our biographies page. In 2008 this tradition continues. Along with our existing artists Tommie Andersson, Belinda Montgomery and Cathy Tabrett, we will be joined by World Music greats, Mara!, jazz pianist and composer, Kevin Hunt, violinist Fiona Ziegler, and talented young keyboardist, Chris Berensen.

2008 concert series

2008 sees The Marais Project continuing to grow and develop with the addition of a third concert to our Recital Series.
Concert 1 will take place during Easter week and feature François Couperin’s settings of ancient Easter texts for one and two sopranos and viola da gamba.

Concert 2 sees the return of popular virtuoso violist Fiona Ziegler for an afternoon of music for violin and viols and a new work by jazz artist Kevin Hunt.

Concert 3 will be a joint affair with the renowned World and Early music group, Mara! (www.maramusic.com.au/)

Full concert details and booking information can be found on our events page

2008 Concerts Ticket Order Form (PDF)

2008 Concerts Ticket Order Form (Web Format)

project history

The idea for The Marais Project originated in 2000, the year of the Sydney Olympic Games. With all the emphasis on athletic achievement, Jennifer Eriksson, an enthusiastic amateur runner, decided to set herself a significant artistic challenge. This resulted in the establishment of The Marais Project to perform the complete works of Marin Marais, one of the greatest ever exponents of the viola da gamba.

The Project promotes an ongoing series of concerts that bring the viola da gamba and its music to ever growing audiences.

The Marais Project has appeared live on The Music Show with Andrew Ford, as featured artists on Sunday Live for ABC Fine Music, and has completed several studio broadcasts for ABC Fine Music including a commissioned concert in celebration of Marin Marais’ 350th birthday. In 2007 they released their first CD, Viol Dreaming.