Formerly the Camerata of St. John’s, the newly-named Camerata has grown exponentially in recent years developing from a tiny chamber string ensemble presenting in small spaces to now performing regularly in the 2,000 seat QPAC Concert Hall. Moreover, the programme has become increasingly diverse and adventurous with the inclusion of its own local Quartet-in-Residence, the Orava, the partnership with prominent local wind, brass and percussion artists to widen the repertoire offerings and, more recently, the engagement of prominent overseas-based Australian musicians as soloists.

Encouraging a younger audience to classical music has often been seen as a steep and difficult path. However, at Saturday evening’s packed concert hall for the Classique programme, Camerata showed why it managed to attract an audience in excess of 16,000 during 2016. Here was a carefully considered and balanced programme, beautifully presented and radiating professionalism and polish. Atmospheric lighting assisted to show off well-played music by artists who clearly love their craft, their enthusiasm shining through every pore of their collective being to gain an infectious hold on a captivated audience.

The Classique program cleverly juxtaposed two traditional classical-era pieces by Mozart and Mendelssohn with two 20th-century Russian works by Prokofiev and Stravinsky, both pieces strongly demonstrating...