The Art of the Fugue - Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
The Art of the Fugue
The Art of the Fugue - Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
The Art of the Fugue
HAYLLAR CHAMBER MUSIC WEEKENDS
THE ART OF The FUGUE
NAGAMBIE, VIC
13–16 AUGUST 2026 (4 DAYS) | FIVE EXCLUSIVE CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCES, THREE INSIGHTFUL PRESENTATIONS, THREE GOURMET MEALS, WINE TASTING, 5-STAR ACCOMMODATION AND RETURN TRAVEL FROM MELBOURNE
Fugue – that dazzling compositional device combining independent musical lines into a tapestry of sound – has fascinated composers for centuries. J.S. Bach was its undisputed master, and Bach’s genius in counterpoint inspired many others, among them Beethoven. In this unique event we will have the opportunity for a total immersion into the world of the fugue, with a special focus on Bach’s final testament: The Art of Fugue. The weekend will also include Beethoven’s outrageous and rarely-heard challenge to a string quartet: his Op. 130 quartet with its original finale – the Grosse Fuge – restored.
These great masterworks will be surrounded by fugues by other composers over five memorable concerts. With three illuminating talks opening up the world of fugue, chats with the artists, wonderful meals and a beautiful environment, this promises to be a uniquely memorable experience.
AUD$4,950 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
LOYALTY CLUB PRICE: AUD$4,702.50
Single supplement: AUD$460
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 13 April 2025)
Final payment due: 10 June 2026
Places Available
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Overview | The Art of the Fugue - Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
Overview
Overview | The Art of the Fugue - Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
Overview
OVERVIEW
Five performances as part of this Hayllar Chamber Music Weekend.
Three insightful presentations by Artistic Director and music educator Graham Abbott on the history of the fugue.
Three nights’ accommodation in the beautiful and luxurious 5-star Mitchelton Hotel with breakfast. The standard tour package comes with a King Vineyard Room. Upgrade options can be found under the Accommodation section below.
Three gourmet meals at carefully chosen restaurants in and around Nagambie. Guests will be joined by the musicians for the welcome and farewell dinners.
Pre-concert drinks before each of the three evening concerts.
Welcome canapés and drinks at our first afternoon presentation.
A delicious and informative paired wine and cheese tasting, sampling some of Mitchelton’s finest offerings.
Return travel from Melbourne in a private air-conditioned coach.
Attend this exciting Hayllar Chamber Music Weekend with a maximum capacity of 35 guests, experience five outstanding performances, enjoy insightful talks, stay in luxury accommodation and indulge in fine dining, all in the impressive Nagambie region and Mitchelton Estate.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
GRAHAM ABBOTT
Sydney-born Graham Abbott is a Music Education graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium and later studied conducting with Myer Fredman. His 40-year conducting career saw him work with all the major Australian orchestras, opera companies and choirs. He was Conductor-in-Residence at the University of Adelaide (1986-88), Associate Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (1993-97), and Musical Director of Melbourne Chorale (now MSO Chorus) (1994-97). In 1997, Graham was acting Chorus Master of the Chorus of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, during which time he conducted concerts with the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Ulster Orchestra.
Graham’s opera repertoire included The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Fidelio, The Barber of Seville, La traviata, Il trovatore, Un ballo in maschera, Aida, L'Elisir d'amore, Don Pasquale, The Pearl Fishers, and Pelléas et Mélisande. He was also Assistant Conductor for the Australian premiere season of John Adams’ Nixon in China at the 1992 Adelaide Festival. A lifelong passion for the life and work of Handel saw Graham conduct Messiah more than 80 times in Australia, the UK and New Zealand. His repertoire also included many of the composer’s oratorios and operas, and much of his orchestral and church music.
Graham is also one of Australia's most highly-respected music educators. He produced and presented Keys to Music on ABC Classic from 2003 to 2017 and has worked as a speaker, teacher and examiner around Australia. He also established Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s Unwrap the Music series and continued to present and conduct that series until 2022. He has worked as a tour leader for Hayllar Music Tours since 2018 and now regularly leads tours for the company within Australia and internationally. Graham received a Special Conductor’s Award in the 1995 Melbourne Green Room Awards marking his debut with Opera Australia conducting Handel’s Julius Caesar for the company. And in 2007 he was awarded the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award by the University of Melbourne in recognition of his services to Australian music as both conductor and educator.
ACCOMMODATION
MITCHELTON HOTEL
Designed by the internationally renowned architectural and interior design practice of Hecker Guthrie, the new Mitchelton Hotel features modern luxury and impeccable attention to detail. Each room is a personal sanctuary with the full offering of the winery at the door and an outdoor pool available for guests.
Our standard tour cost includes a King Vineyard Room.
Upgrade options are available as follows:
Upgrade to a King River Room for AUD$150 for the full duration of your stay (subject to availability).
These spacious 33m² King Rooms have private balconies with beautiful views over the Goulburn River.Upgrade to a Vineyard Suite for AUD$960 for the full duration of your stay (subject to availability).
Mitchelton Hotel's 45m² Vineyard Suite features a king bed, separate bedroom and living areas, private bathroom with flatscreen TV and soaker bathtub and its own double balcony with views of the Mitchelton vines.Upgrade to a River Suite for AUD$1,170 for the full duration of your stay (subject to availability).
Mitchelton Hotel's 45m² River Suite features a king bed, separate bedroom and living areas, private bathroom with flatscreen TV and soaker bathtub and its own double balcony with views of the Goulburn River.
Select your upgrade option when booking below, or contact us on 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181.
13–16 August 2026 (4 DAYS)
AUD$4,950 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
Single supplement: AUD$460
PLACES AVAILABLE
Itinerary | The Art of the Fugue - Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
Itinerary
Itinerary | The Art of the Fugue - Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
Itinerary
ITINERARY
DAY 1 | THURSDAY 13 AUGUST 2026
1ST OF 3 NIGHTS AT MITCHELTON HOTEL
MELBOURNE CITY AND MELBOURNE AIRPORT TO NAGAMBIE, CONCERT I (D):
Guests are collected by private air-conditioned coach. The coach will make one stop at the Flinders Street Bus Zone in the centre of the city at 12:00pm and a second stop at Melbourne Airport at 12:45pm. We then travel north from Melbourne to Nagambie and the Mitchelton Hotel.
After arriving at Mitchelton Hotel and checking into our rooms, we gather at the top of the 55-metre Ashton Tower. There we are welcomed with drinks and canapés, to relax us after our day of travelling and to begin our Hayllar Chamber Music Weekend overlooking the surrounding vineyards and the Goulburn River.
Our Artistic Director and music educator Graham Abbott then begins our musical exploration for the weekend into the history of the fugue.
Following the presentation by Graham, we move to the beautiful Montage Room for our first exclusive performance from our incredible musicians.
CONCERT I - Evening Concert
Montage Room
Following the concert, we enjoy the first of our three group meals together with a 3-course dinner back at the top of the Ashton Tower. We have the wonderful opportunity of being joined by the musicians performing at this exclusive Hayllar Chamber Music Weekend, as well as our Artistic Director Graham Abbott.
DAY 2 | FRIDAY 14 AUGUST 2026
2ND OF 3 NIGHTS AT MITCHELTON HOTEL
NAGAMBIE, CONCERTS II & III (B, L):
After breakfast in the Provedore, we gather for our second presentation on the music and history of the fugue with Graham Abbott. Following our morning lecture, we move back to the Montage Room where we enjoy the second of our exclusive performances, paired with a discussion with our musicians.
CONCERT II - Morning Concert Conversation
Montage Room
Followed by a conversation with the musicians, hosted by Graham Abbott
This afternoon, we enjoy a scenic drive to nearby Heathcote to an exclusive dining destination, where we have a delicious lunch paired with local wines.
After lunch, we return to the Mitchelton Hotel for some free time, possibly including a short rest ahead of tonight’s concert.
In the early evening we gather for pre-concert drinks at the Montage Room before enjoying our third exclusive performance. Following the concert, the rest of the evening is free and dinner is independent.
CONCERT III - Evening Concert
Montage Room
DAY 3 | SATURDAY 15 AUGUST 2026
3RD OF 3 NIGHTS AT MITCHELTON HOTEL
NAGAMBIE, CONCERTS IV & V (B, D):
Following breakfast, we gather for our third and final exploration of the fugue with Artistic Director Graham Abbott. After our morning presentation, we enjoy our fourth concert, once again paired with a conversation with our incredible musicians. After the concert, time is allowed for an independent lunch at the hotel.
CONCERT IV - Morning Concert Conversation
Montage Room
Followed by a conversation with the musicians, hosted by Graham Abbott
After this morning’s musical activities, we journey through the winery’s underground tunnels to take a private guided tour of the Mitchelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art with the gallery’s curator. The gallery is the largest indigenous art gallery in regional Victoria, representing work from more than 15 First Nations communities and art centres across Australia. Situated underground, in the old wine cellars, this impressive gallery space is the Goulburn Valley’s best kept secret.
This afternoon, we regroup for a private wine tasting of some of Mitchelton’s finest wines paired with cheese, with one of the vineyard’s head wine ambassadors. Mitchelton is known for its fine Shiraz and Riesling, and this tour will give us an insight into what it takes to produce these award winning wines.
This evening, we gather for the final time at the Montage Room for a pre-concert drink, before we enjoy the fifth and final performance of our wonderful weekend of music.
CONCERT V - Evening Concert
Montage Room
Afterwards we enjoy our farewell meal together. Once again, we will be joined by the musicians and our Artistic Director, Graham Abbott.
DAY 4 | SUNDAY 16 AUGUST 2026
NAGAMBIE TO MELBOURNE AIRPORT AND MELBOURNE CITY CENTRE (B):
Following our final breakfast we travel in our private coach back to Melbourne. We will arrive at Melbourne Airport at approximately 12:00pm and at Flinders Street Bus Zone at approximately 1:00pm.
Inclusions | The Art of the Fugue - Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
Inclusions
Inclusions | The Art of the Fugue - Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
Inclusions
INCLUSIONS
13–16 AUGUST 2026 (4 DAYS)
AUD$4,950 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
Single supplement: AUD$460
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 13 April 2025)
Final payment due: 10 June 2026
INCLUSIONS:
Performances: Five unique and intimate performances from some of Australia’s finest musicians.
Talks on the Music: Three presentations on the music from Artistic Director Graham Abbott.
Tour Managers: Services of two experienced tour managers throughout.
Hotel: Three nights' accommodation at the luxurious Mitchelton Hotel. The standard tour package comes with a King Vineyard Room. Upgrade options are available as follows:
Upgrade to a King River Room for AUD$150 for the full duration of your stay (subject to availability).
These spacious 33m² King Rooms have private balconies with beautiful views over the Goulburn River.Upgrade to a Vineyard Suite for AUD$960 for the full duration of your stay (subject to availability).
Mitchelton Hotel's 45m² Vineyard Suite features a king bed, separate bedroom and living areas, private bathroom with flatscreen TV and soaker bathtub and its own double balcony with views of the Mitchelton vines.Upgrade to a River Suite for AUD$1,170 for the full duration of your stay (subject to availability).
Mitchelton Hotel's 45m² River Suite features a king bed, separate bedroom and living areas, private bathroom with flatscreen TV and soaker bathtub and its own double balcony with views of the Goulburn River.
Travel: One private air-conditioned coach transfer from/to Melbourne City Centre and Melbourne Airport. Land travel by private air-conditioned coach throughout the weekend.
Meals/Drinks: Breakfast each morning. Three lunches/dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee. Welcome drinks and canapés, wine and cheese tasting and pre-performance drinks before the three evening concerts.
Entry Fees and Guided Tours: Entrance fees for all excursions and activities as stated in your itinerary. Expert local guides at some sites.
Tips: Tips for drivers, local guides and meals included in your itinerary.
Information Pack: Comprehensive pre-tour information pack.
EXCLUSIONS:
International/Domestic Travel: Hayllar Music Tours can provide you with a quote. Phone 02 9669 9181 or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com
Airport Transfers: Transfers to/from your local airport at the beginning and end of the tour. These can be arranged at an additional cost. One private air-conditioned coach from/to Melbourne City Centre and Melbourne Airport is included in the tour price.
Travel Insurance: Please note that travel insurance is recommended for tours within Australia. Hayllar Music Tours can organise your travel insurance for you. Please contact them at phone 02 9669 9181 or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com
Meals: Lunches and dinners not nominated in your itinerary.
Personal Expenses: Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and mini-bar.
Activities in Free Time: Costs associated with any activities suggested for you in your free time.
GROUP SIZE
The weekend will operate with a minimum of 20 people. The maximum number at the Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends will be 35 people.
FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED - LEVEL 1
All members of the group must feel comfortable walking for short distances between hotel rooms and venues, and embarking/disembarking coaches.
BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please note that booking terms and conditions apply. Click here for the booking terms and conditions.
Booking | The Art of the Fugue - Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
Booking
Booking | The Art of the Fugue - Hayllar Chamber Music Weekends
Booking
HAYLLAR CHAMBER MUSIC WEEKENDS
THE ART OF The Fugue
Nagambie, VIC
DEPOSIT ONLY | AUD$1,500 PER PERSON
13–16 AUGUST 2026 (4 DAYS) | FIVE EXCLUSIVE CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCES, THREE INSIGHTFUL PRESENTATIONS, THREE GOURMET MEALS, WINE TASTING, 5-STAR ACCOMMODATION AND RETURN TRAVEL FROM MELBOURNE