AHE | 2025 | Impact Report

—— I MPACT 2025 REPORT AHE is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW

A HE —— 2025 February — COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE Ella Macens March — 18th CENTURY UNPACKED Haydn & The String Quartet with AHE & Genevieve Lang HAYDN’S SUNRISE String Quartets by Haydn, Beethoven & Fanny Mendelssohn April/May — 18th CENTURY UNPACKED The Birth of Song with David Greco & Chad Kelly SCHUBERT SONGS With David Greco Canberra International Music Festival June — ILLUMINATED NOW! Emerging Composers Program 18th CENTURY UNPACKED Mozart & Salzburg with Dr Anthony Abouhamad & Skye McIntosh MOZART’S SALZBURG & LINZ With Erin Helyard

August — HAYDN’S MIRACLE Haydn, Schubert and Purcell September — MENINDEE PROJECT With the Menindee Area School community, including AHE Listening On Country, Music and Writing Workshops in Broken Hill and Menindee HAYDN’S SUNRISE @ BROKEN HILL Works for String Quartet and Flute by Mozart, Haydn & Purcell REGIONAL TOUR Masterclasses and concerts PENRITH YOUTH ORCHESTRA Workshops and Performance with the Penrith Youth Orchestra October/November — AHE SPRING ACADEMY BEETHOVEN’S EIGHTH A classic meets his Immortal Beloved Premiere of Forever Ours, a new commission by Ella Macens

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—— F ROM THE

A RTISTIC DIRECTOR 2025 was a year of musical richness and exciting new beginnings for all of us at the Australian Haydn Ensemble. Building on the energy and international recognition of recent years, our 2025 season brought fresh adventures, including new performance venues, the return of cherished artistic collaborators, a landmark commitment to the future of young artists and Australian composition, and our continuing exploration of historical chamber arrangements.

Among the year's highlights was the discovery and performance of a previously unknown nineteenth-century chamber version of Beethoven's Eighth Symphony.

I thank the wonderful musicians of the Australian Haydn Ensemble for the extraordinary experiences we shared on stage and with our audiences. In particular, I acknowledge my fellow core string quartet players, Matthew Greco, Karina Schmitz and Daniel Yeadon, together with all our guest artists throughout 2025. Their brilliance, collegiality and world-class musicianship enriched every performance, as did their companionship on the road.

Together, we presented five subscription programs of chamber and orchestral music across Sydney, Canberra and regional New South Wales, reaching audiences in both metropolitan and regional communities.

It was especially rewarding to welcome back two of our long-standing creative collaborators in 2025. In May, baritone David Greco 2

joined us for Schubert Songs, an intimate and deeply moving program of Schubert's lieder, newly arranged for voice and string quartet. The program was presented at the Canberra International Music Festival, as well as in two performances in the Pictures Galleries of the State Library of New South Wales.

These concerts marked both a new venue for the Ensemble and the beginning of an exciting partnership with the Library.

Another dear friend and long-term collaborator, Erin Helyard, returned to lead Mozart's Salzburg & Linz from the fortepiano. This all-Mozart program attracted outstanding reviews and introduced the Ensemble to the remarkable acoustic of The Neilson at ACO on the Pier, where we performed for the first time.

We also launched a new audience-engagement initiative, 18th Century Unpacked, a relaxed and informal pre-concert series presented in the Friends Room of the State Library of New South Wales. Throughout the year, guest experts Genevieve Lang, Anthony Abouhamad, David Greco, Chad Kelly and Andrew Ford joined me in exploring the music and historical context of our performances. These engaging conversations enriched the concert experience and offered audiences new ways to connect with the repertoire.

We were also excited to embark on several significant projects beyond our subscription series. These included a regional tour and education initiative that took us to Menindee and Broken Hill; AHE Alchemy, our innovative

new program supporting the next generation of period-instrument performers; and Illuminated Now!, a groundbreaking national initiative commissioning Australian composers to create new works specifically for period instruments.

We were also delighted to welcome our inaugural Composerin-Residence, Ella Macens, who collaborated closely with the Ensemble throughout the year.

Her new commission, Forever Ours, received its world premiere in Beethoven's Eighth, our final program of 2025.

A personal highlight for me was being appointed one of three Creatives in Residence at the State Library of New South Wales.

Throughout the year, I worked on an ambitious multimedia performance project inspired by the many untold stories embedded within the Library's remarkable collections of books, letters, manuscripts and objects. The project will be presented by the Library in 2026 as part of its bicentenary celebrations.

The warm welcome we received from audiences in Sydney, regional New South Wales and the ACT continues to inspire us.

Connecting with subscribers, volunteers, ticket buyers, venue partners and the wider AHE family is one of the greatest joys of our work. Equally rewarding is meeting young people through our regional education programs, some of whom joined us as performers for the very first time.

2025 also marked an important transition in the leadership of the organisation. After nine years as Chair, Marco Belgiorno-Zegna AM stepped down from the Board. In recognition of his long-standing commitment and extraordinary contribution to the Ensemble, he graciously accepted the title of Emeritus Chair.

Reflecting on his time with AHE, Marco remarked: "It has been a pleasure to contribute to the Australian Haydn Ensemble during such an important period in its development.

Skye McIntosh has created ambitious and inspiring programs that are always beautifully performed, and her commitment to regional communities and constant innovation have been a great source of pride to all of us on the Board. I am delighted to be leaving AHE in such good hands."

We thank Marco for his vision, generosity and steadfast support over many years.

I am equally delighted that longstanding Board member Kevin McCann AO has accepted the role of Chair. We look forward to working with Kevin as we continue to strengthen the organisation and build on the momentum of recent years.

AHE is also deeply grateful to the Government of New South Wales through Create NSW, whose ongoing financial support remains essential to our work.

The generosity of our donors continues to be nothing short of transformative. Their support enables us to bring this extraordinary repertoire to audiences across New South Wales and beyond, while investing in the artists, composers and educational initiatives that will shape the future of Australian music.

I am profoundly grateful for their belief in AHE, their encouragement and their friendship.

Thank you for being part of the world of the Australian Haydn Ensemble. I look forward to sharing many more musical adventures with you in the years ahead.

Skye McIntosh Artistic Director

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AT A GLANCE

A HE YEAR Total number of attendees across all events

6429

Number of Unknown Historical Works Performed or Premiered on Period Instruments

6

Number of performances and events

44

Number of different locations

14

Total mainstage season attendance

3006

Total Sydney attendance all events

2098

Total Regional attendance all events

2607

Total ACT attendance all events

1110

Income generated for artists

$538,829

Number of artists / cultural practitioners employed

78

Number of Regional NSW performances

28

Number of different locations

23

Number of Education workshops

10

Number of new Australian works commissioned

7

Number of participants in community engagement activities

616

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—— M AINSTAGE

S EASON 2025 AHE’s 2025 Season, inspired by nature, brought together a richly varied selection of works from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Based on themes of deep human connection to inner and outer worlds, nature and universal emotions, the season welcomed listeners into the heart of period instrument performance practice, bringing people as close as possible to the sound-world that the composers themselves knew and loved.

The season opened with Haydn’s Sunrise, a glorious exploration of string quartet writing curated by Artistic Director Skye McIntosh, featuring Haydn's Op. 76 No. 4, Beethoven's Op. 18 No. 1, and the remarkable Quartet in E flat by Fanny Mendelssohn, believed to be the first composed by a woman and a work that continues to astonish and delight.

Baritone David Greco joined us for Schubert Songs in May, an intimate and deeply moving program of Schubert's lieder, newly arranged for voice and string quartet, paired with Felix Mendelssohn and premiered at the Canberra International Music Festival before two further concerts in Sydney in the Pictures Galleries of the State Library of New South Wales.

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Erin Helyard, another dear and longterm friend, returned to lead Mozart's Salzburg & Linz from the fortepiano.

This beautiful all-Mozart program garnered more excellent reviews and was our first performance in both Gandel Hall in the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra and The Neilson at ACO on The Pier in Sydney.

The Haydn’s Miracle program of works

by Haydn, Purcell and Schubert, included Haydn's Symphony No. 96 in D Major, Miracle in an arrangement for flute quintet

by Beethoven’s friend and contemporary Salomon. This series also saw the AHE return to The Neilson; a venue rapidly becoming a new home.

The 2025 season concluded with Beethoven’s Eighth, a thrilling orchestral program led by Artistic Director Skye McIntosh, including the world premiere of Forever Ours, a newly commissioned string sextet by AHE’s inaugural Composer in Residence, Ella Macens. Her work was warmly received by audiences and critics, as was a newly discovered historical chamber arrangement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 8, presented in the City Recital Hall in Sydney, Canberra and in the Bowral Memorial Hall - a first for an AHE orchestral program.

—— W ESTERN

SYDNEY & REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT

AHE upheld its strong commitment to Western Sydney and regional NSW audiences by delivering 23 highquality concerts and workshops in communities across NSW.

growing engagement and demand.

AHE prioritised deepening its relationships with regional presenters, with most partners extending invitations for future collaborations in 2026 and beyond.

Identical high-calibre performances from world-class artists were delivered on regional and metropolitan stages. AHE also partnered with the Menindee Area School community, Westwords, Blue Sky Stories and Broken Hill Community Orchestra to deliver workshops to the Broken Hill and Menindee areas, the Penrith Youth Orchestra and numerous regional venues and community presenters.

Performances, workshops and community engagement with young musicians took place in the following locations:

Over the course of this year, audiences in regional areas reached capacity, reflecting

• • • • • • •

Armidale Berry Bowral Broken Hill Canberra (ACT) Gouburn Grafton

• • • • • • •

Lake Macquarie Menindee Nowra Parramatta Port Macquarie Sydney Tyalgum 7

E DUCATION & C OMMUNITY —— PROJECTS

AHE's education program emphasises engaging with young people through a variety of activities, including historical performance, orchestral and singleinstrument workshops designed for talented students across both regional NSW and Metropolitan areas.

Our partnership with the Penrith Youth Orchestra in Western Sydney continued, reinforcing AHE’s ongoing commitment to music education and community engagement across diverse regions.

The keys to the success of this program lie in AHE’s long-term community building via extensive touring in regional areas, combined with meaningful exposure to AHE’s expert musicians on a local level. This approach resulted in events, workshops and performances being largely sold out or at capacity.

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—— C RITICS &

A UDIENCES IN 2025 86% of respondents rated the concerts at 5 stars 14% of respondents rated the concerts at 4 to 4.5 stars

“I really enjoyed the two modern pieces and the final symphony. Every part of the concert was wonderful.”

Broken Hill Audience Member

“I enjoyed the programme. So much wit and virtuosity on display!”

Berry Audience Member

“Beethoven, Mozart and a luminous new work by Ella Macens showcase the Australian Haydn Ensemble’s elegance, invention and emotional depth.”

Limelight

“Baritone David Greco and Australian Haydn Ensemble achieve the tight and coordinated ebb and flow required to give lieder its life” Limelight

“David Greco was superb. The arrangement of the accompaniment for string quartet was a brilliant innovation.”

State Library of NSW audience Member

“...led by Skye McIntosh, exhibited the work’s symphonic dimensions perfectly.

An exquisite ending to a delightful programme.”

SYDNEY ARTS GUIDE

“Exciting, innovative, brave, refreshing and wonderfully musical.”

Sydney Audience Member

“Different String Quartets each performed well and ending with a real 'knockout'!”

Bowral Audience Member

“Beautifully played and the tricky rhythms of the finale…was excellently done.”

Daily Telegraph

“At times almost as if it was Mozart himself playing. A truely unique experience” Canberra Audience Member

“Skye McIntosh’s quartet played this work with the authentic enthusiasm of a radically new discovery.”

Australian Stage

“Erin’s performance was a model of restrained grace. … ” State of the Arts 9

OUR S UPPORTERS —— 2025 Since the very beginning, AHE has been strongly committed to bringing beautiful music to as many people as possible in as many locations as possible. Philanthropic support has been vital to all AHE has achieved.

Patron

Founding Patron

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Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of New South Wales

The late Dr Timothy Pascoe AM

The Chair’s Circle

Artistic Director’s Circle

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The Chair's Circle is a group of dedicated supporters who have made a multi-year commitment to supporting the long-term vision of the Australian Haydn Ensemble

The Artistic Director’s Circle is a group of passionate supporters who have made a commitment to supporting the AHE education program and the vision of the Artistic Director Carolyn Fletcher AM Adrian Maroya Jon & Susan North Peter & Vivienne Skinner Musician’s Chairs— Skye McIntosh, Artistic Director and Leader’s Chair Supported by Mrs W.G. Keighly

Marco Belgiorno-Zegna AM & Angela Belgiorno-Zegna Sherry and the late Tom Gregory Karin Keighley Peter & Lisa Macqueen Kevin McCann AO & Deidre McCann Ian & Pam McGaw The late Dr Timothy Pascoe AM & the late Eva Pascoe Anthony Strachan Peter Young AM & Susan Young Anonymous (1)

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Maria Theresa $25,000 — David & Anne Eustace Foundation Sherry & the late Tom Gregory Howarth Foundation Karin Keighley Kevin McCann AO & Deidre McCann Anonymous (1) Esterházy $15,000 – $24,999 — Marco Belgiorno-Zegna AM & Angela Belgiorno-Zegna Peter & Lisa Macqueen Philanthropy Initiative Australia, a giving fund of the APS Foundation Waldstein $10,000 - $14,999 — Adrian Maroya Ian & Pam McGaw Anthony Strachan Van Swieten $5,000 - $9,999 — Martin & Ursula Armstrong Clive Birch Carolyn Fletcher AM Reg & Kathie Grinberg Jon & Susanne North Peter & Vivienne Skinner Peter Young AM & Susan Young In Memory of Tom Gregory & Timothy Pascoe Anonymous (1)

Galitzin $1,000 - $4,999 — Antoinette Albert Mark Bethwaite AM & Jill Bethwaite Keith & Louise Brodie Dr Andrew Byrne & Allan Gill Jason Catlett Chapman Eastway Charitable Foundation Dr Michael & the late Dr Colleen Chesterman George H. Clark Robert & Carmel Clark Dr Terry & Julie Clarke Jean Cockayne Dr Peter Craswell Peter & Prudence Davenport Rob Diamond Jeremy Eccles FRSN & Kate Eccles OAM David, Katrina & Madeline Evans Ralph Evans AO & Maria Evans John Fairfax AO & Libby Fairfax Richard Fisher AM & Diana Fisher Dr Marguerite Foxon Bunny Gardiner-Hill Prof Pru Goward AO Sharon Green James Hardigg The Hon Don Harwin Ann Hoban Sarah de Jong Lucy Kalangi David Kent OAM & Angela Kent Celia Lillywhite David Maloney AM & Erin Flaherty Bronwyn McNaughton Dr Jacqueline Milne Jeremy Morris & Kate Guilfoyle Trevor Parkin Nick Payne David & Elizabeth Platt Kay Vernon The Hon. Anthony Whealy K.C. & Annie Whealy Anonymous (5)

Lobkowitz $500 - $999 — Priscilla Adey Mary Ashton Jock Baird Tony Barnett Dr Chris Blaxland Lloyd Capps & Mary Jo Capps AM Richard & Cynthia Coleman Christine Cooper Stuart & Felicity Coughlan Dr John Dearn Jan Driscoll Sandra Duggan Dr Meredith Edwards Jean Gifford David Jordan & Louise Walsh Gerard Joseph Juliet Lockhart Diccon & Liz Loxton Dr Paul & Betty Meyer Janet Nash Deidre Rickards Lisbeth Roberts Greg & Wendy See Penelope Seidler AM Mike & Rosie Sprange David Whitehouse Anonymous (5) Razumovsky $250 - $499 — Ann Armstrong Wayne Arthur James Ashburner Patrick Batho MBE & Janet Batho Richard Bloor Jeffrey Bridger Wendy Cobcroft Dr Nola Cooke Michael Fong Rosemary Greaves Henry O’Connor David & Jill Townsend Alicia Williams Anonymous (3)

This listing is correct as of 24 October 2025, and we gratefully recognise all donations received since 1 July 2024.

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PARTNERS

Government Partner—

Education Partners—

Penrith Youth Orchestra

AHE is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Supporters— Livestream Partner

Media Partner

Audit Partner

BACKSTAGE

Foundations— David & Anne Eustace Foundation.

Howarth Foundation Jibb Foundation Sir Asher & Lady Joel Foundation Key Foundation Philanthropy Initiative Australia, a giving fund of the APS Foundation Sinsay Pty Ltd Stoneglen Foundation Images throughout by Helen White, Oliver Miller, AHE musicians and team.

The Australian Haydn Ensemble acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live, work and perform. We pay our respects to musicians and Elders past and present.

Board— Kevin McCann AO (Chair) Jan Bowen AM FRSN Carolyn Fletcher AM (Deputy Chair) Adrian Maroya Skye McIntosh (Artistic Director) Jon North Vivienne Skinner Peter Young AM Marco Belgiorno-Zegna AM (Emeritus Chair)

The Australian Haydn Ensemble is a not-for-profit organisation ABN 26 202 621 166 PO Box 400 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012, Australia 1800 334 388 (Freecall) australianhaydn.com.au

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