Region readies for golden event

THE history and beauty of the region’s organs are once again going to come into focus with the annual Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields festival.

Running from Friday 12 January to Tuesday 16 January, the program includes a range of one-hour concerts as well as social gatherings.

This is the 28th year of the festival which was founded by Italian organist Sergio de Pieri along with Judith Houston and Voi Williams.

“It started a long time ago when my former music teacher came to Ballarat for a visit wanting to explore the area because he heard there was some beautiful old pipe organs,” said Ms Houston.

“We went around the district and we found some beautiful old 19^th century instruments in little churches, so he decided to invent a festival.

“It started in 1996 and we had 22 recitals for one hour each as well as picnics and a festival dinner.”

Ms Houston said she is particularly looking forward to the opening concert at St Patrick’s Cathedral where Alchemy and the Melbourne Baroque Orchestra will perform George Frideric Handel’s Alexander’s Feast.

“St Patrick’s Cathedral is a beautiful place in the evening because the sunset will come through the stained-glass windows,” she said.

“It’s always a beautiful experience and we have our final concert there on the last day as well.”

The event attracts visitors to Ballarat from around Australia and the world.

“We now have a very enthusiastic lot of people that come from all over the place,” said Ms Houston.

“Two thirds of them don’t live in the Ballarat region at all and they come here and spend a few days.

“It’s a lovely little thing to happen here and it’s not showing any signs of dying as every year people are keen to come again.”

To book tickets and see the full festival program visit ballaratorgans.com.au.