The music festival, the only one of its kind in Victoria, combined food, wine and classical and contemporary music, along with poetry, in the finest surroundings, and paid homage to Australia’s most famous opera singer – Dame Nellie Melba.

Dame Nellie Melba, known internationally as one of the greatest ever Sopranos, grew up in the region and performed at various venues in the Yarra Valley. Her childhood home is situated on the Melba Highway, which runs through the heart of the region.

Performances by leading classical and contemporary artists at various locations such as Domaine Chandon and Rochford Wines, provided a stunning backdrop for visitors who enjoy classical music, a glass of Yarra Valley’s finest and regional cuisine to match.

“We’re very excited to have managed the fourth Melba Festival, which attracted over 3,000 people to the Yarra Valley. The musical program was one of the best in the country and this was evident with the bumper crowds to the region over the three day event” said Jennifer Hutchison, CEO of Yarra Valley & The Dandenongs Marketing.

Highlights from the three day musical program included:-

• The festival’s grand opening at Domaine Chandon with a recital from two talented young singers – Nathan Lay and Stephanie Gibson
• Talented performers Craig Smith (piano) and Melanie Searle (singer) performing jazz at the Coldstream Brewery
• Garden Rhythms performed by Tropical Dreams at Valley Guest House
• Silvie Paladino, one of Australia’s most versatile and talented entertainers at Rochford Yarra Valley
• The brilliant Hamer String Quartet, who recently won three of the six  prizes across the entire Asia-Pacific Chamber Music Competition, which includes the 1st prize String Quartet – The Robert Salzer Foundation Prize
• Strings and Bubbles with Allanah Guthrie-Jones at Sutherland Estate.  Alannah is an outstanding harpist having won the biannual Guy McGrath Harp Prize.

Previously the Melba Festival was run by a dedicated group of volunteers from Yarra Glen. This is the second year the Festival is owned and managed by Yarra Valley & The Dandenongs Marketing, the peak body for the area for integrated marketing of wine, food, conferencing tourism and agribusiness.

There is no doubt Melba’s spirit will be alive and well in the valley once more!

Event: Garden Rhythms performed by Tropical Dreams
Venue: Valley Guest House, 319 Steels Creek Road, Yarra Glen
Time: 11:00am until 5:00pm
Tickets: FREE

The collaboration of instruments involved in producing the authentic Latin sounds is vast. From the clear sounds of the trumpet, to the beats of the congas and percussion intricates, Tropical Dreams have dedicated their performances to these enthralling rhythms.
No strangers to the area, headlining local Cuban Festivals, Tropical Dreams has the industry performance experience that is difficult to pass by. For an array of stimulating cultural experiences, Garden Rhythms is where you should be for a Saturday and Sunday Groove.
 
So bring the family, picnic blanket and find a nice bit of grass to sit on, take in the scenery or participate in the cultural festivities.

An authentic meal of Vegetarian, Seafood or Spanish Chorizo Paella available to be purchased

Local wine by the glass or bottles can be purchased.

Boutique White Rabbit beer on offer aswell.  No BYO

Parking will be available across the road from the Valley Guest House.

There will be signs indicating where to enter from.

Doors open to the public at 11am, Tropical Dreams’ performance to begin at

12 noon.  Family Friendly event!!

Event: Wilbur Wilde and Friends featuring Jerome Smith
Venue: The Yarra Glen Grand Hotel, 19 Bell Street, Yarra Glen
Time: 3:00pm until 6:00pm
Tickets: FREE

Fantastic performers. What can we say… It’s Wilbur Wilde.

Event: The Pitch Theatre (Comedy) performed by Peter Houghton
Venue: The Yarra Glen Grand Hotel, 19 Bell Street, Yarra Glen
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Tickets: $27.50 (Adults), $22.00 (Concession)

TICKETS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT

A satire about the trials and tribulations of an Aussie trying to crack the big time in Hollywood. This play is about Walter Weinermann. He’s broke and his agent is pressuring him. The most important pitch of his career to a panel of big-shot Hollywood producers is less than an hour away and his girlfriend has left him. A one man performance, author and actor Peter Houghton channels Clint Eastwood, Anthony Hopkins, Chris Rock, Jet Li, Sean Connery, Catherine Zeta-Jones and many others with a sharp eye for the Hollywood cliché as he takes the audience on a whirlwind journey through cities and continents, across de cades and eras, into and out of genres, all without leaving Walter’s flat.

Event: Mes Amies and the Music of Melba
Venue: Chateau Yering, 42 Melba Highway, Yering
Time: 12:30pm- 3:30pm
Tickets: $75 including a 2 course Sunday lunch of main and dessert

TICKETS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT

She was still making her farewell performances Dame Nellie would surely have included one at Chateau Yering.

Enjoy a delicious 2 course lunch with 2 matching wines followed by a concert from two of Melbourne’s finest young performers. Soprano Amy Spruce and Mezzo Soprano Amy McPartlan, performing as Mes Amies, are both graduates and former scholarship holders of the Melba Conservatorium of Music. They’ll perform a selection of arias from Dame Nellie’s repertoire and also some of the Diva’s better known ‘party pieces’. And sprinkled throughout the performance will be some lighter operettas and brackets from musical theatre.

Come along and enjoy a stunning musical performance in the elegance and charm of the beautiful Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel.

Event: Acoustic Guitar with Adrian Austin
Venue: Ainsworth Estate, 110 Ducks Lane, Seville
Time: 12:30pm until 4:00pm
Tickets: $44 including two course lunch plus a glass of wine.

Adrian Austin presents an eclectic selection of music thru vocals, guitar and harmonica. A gourmet of classic covers from the era of 1969 to the present. You will hear Bowie, Dylan, Crowded House, Neil Young, Ronan Keating all presented like the finest mixed herbs while you dine in comfort to his musical menu … enjoy the atmosphere as you take in all that Ainsworth Estate has to offer.

Event: Yarra Valdi
Venue: Acacia Ridge, 169 Gulf Road, Yarra Glen
Time: 11:30am until 4:30pm
Tickets: $44 including Acacia Ridge’s famous Gourmet BBQ

The Hamer String Quartet is made up of some of Melbourne’s finest young string Players. The stunning views, gourmet BBQ, fine wine and fine string quartet music make this event unique in the Melba Festival. The Hamer String Quartet program will feature ecstatic Vivaldi music. This, with the stunning location, fine food and wine will guarantee a sensational event, for you and your family. Young children can attend for free.

The Hamer Quartet made their official debut in March 2007 at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) to a capacity audience and critical acclaim in a concert that was broadcast nationally and featured the world premiere of Douglas Weiland’s 3rd string quartet. Since then they have performed extensively around Australia and recorded for ABC radio, ABC TV and 3MBS FM.

Event: The taste of Spring with Petanque, fine wines and our French baguette picnic basket
Venue: Dominique Portet, 870 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream
Time: 11:00am until 3:00pm
Tickets: $24 including a gourmet French sausage baguette basket with a frittata and chocolate slice combined.

SOLD OUT

Enjoy the authentic European flavour of the European Café Concert at the Stylish Dominique Portet Winery. The main hall will come alive with voice and piano accordion as Margareta and Dave take you on a journey through the music of 20th Century Europe. Much of this repertoire has been translated into English and is known more by European audiences. The European Cafe Concert has avoided joining the classic pop movement and instead performs authentic music familiar to well travelled, multi cultural audiences. Their songs are an important part of 20th Century culture and all of them are musical and lyrical gems.

Event: Strings and Bubbles with Alannah Guthrie- Jones
Venue: Sutherland Estate, 2010 Melba Highway, Dixons Creek
Time: 11:00am until 12:30pm
Tickets: $28 including a glass of Sutherland Estate 2006 Vintage Pinot Noir Chardonnay and morning tea buffet consisting of freshly baked pastries and freshly brewed coffee/tea.

Let Alannah create a magical atmosphere for you as you enjoy the wonderful view and the fine food and wine as she performs on her beautiful, full-sized concert harp. Her extensive repertoire includes something from almost every genre and should have something to soothe and suit everyone.

Alannah Guthrie-Jones started harp lessons at the age of eight and has studied at the VCA and the Royal Academy of Music, London, where she won the Guy McGrath Harp Prize. In 2002 she won the Major Award from the Australian Music Foundation. Alannah performs regularly with the Melbourne and Tasmanian Symphonies and can be heard around Melbourne as a soloist and chamber musician.

Event: An Evening With BLACHARACH aka Patrick Williams
Venue: The Yarra Glen Grand Hotel, 19 Bell Street, Yarra Glen
Time: 8:00pm until 11:00pm
Tickets: $55 including Classic Cocktail Canapes and Champagne cocktail on arrival.

The Yarra Glen Grand is proud to present BLACHARACH aka Patrick Williams. Patrick has starred in the national tours of the hit musicals HAIR, THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY and the 70’s era disco smash OH WHAT A NIGHT. He was a regular performer on GMA WITH BERT NEWTON and has enjoyed a career as an actor on some of Australia’s most popular television dramas. Born and raised in Melbourne, African – Australian Patrick Williams is urbane and sophisticated, accompanied by some of Melbourne’s stellar musicians in a six piece band. Dinner bookings prior to the event are essential.