When the celebrated German bass-baritone Hans Hotter visited Australia in 1975 and headlined a National Lieder Seminar in Sydney, a small group of devotees were so inspired they founded the A.C.T Lieder Society the following year. Led by the late Eleanor Houston OAM of Covent Garden fame, the society’s purpose was to foster the practice and appreciation of art song by presenting an annual recital series.

Now called Art Song Canberra, the society aims to foster and extend the love of art song in Australia and support singers in their endeavours. Our main focus is a yearly season of recitals with occasional masterclasses and some additional outreach activities for the Canberra community.

Noted Australian singers who have performed for us include Greta Bradman AM, Andrew Goodwin, David Greco, Louise Page OAM and Christina Wilson alongside pianists such as Phillipa Candy, Leigh Harrold, Alan Hicks, David Miller AM, plusand Roy Howat from the United Kingdom.

Our rRecital programs cover a broad range of songs from the past and the present. The classics of the song repertoire are regularly presented alongside contemporary work. The 2024 season concluded with the world premiere of Aaron Mencher’ ‘s Atmospheres of the Night. 2025 saw the premiere of Sally Whitwell’s new song cycle Seven Necessary Sins for Rachel Mink with the composer at the piano. In September 2026, a new song cycle by Jack Symonds based on Michelangelo’s poetry will be premiered by Jeremy Kleeman.

We are especially grateful to Oliver Raymond OAM who presided over the society for many years and Ditta Zizi who was President during 2024/25 until handing over to Roland Peelman AM.