Renowned for their exceptional artistry in their respective genres, pianist Sonya Lifschitz and vocalist Christine Johnston form one of Australia’s most dynamic powerhouse duos. 

In this critically acclaimed reimagining of George Crumb’s groundbreaking 'Makrokosmos', Book 1, piano maverick and virtuoso Sonya Lifschitz is joined by performance artist Christine Johnston (The Kransky Sisters) as Madame Lark to unleash their duelling scores. Part cabaret, part recital, this audacious reinterpretation places Crumb’s zodiac-inspired fantasy pieces amidst the sounds of the Antipodes. As Sonya conjures mythical, primordial sounds from inside the piano, Madame Lark performs with her musical saw and overhead projector. Together, they bring George Crumb’s masterwork to life in an intriguingly whimsical and altogether unexpected way.

The worlds of classical music, performance art and comedy collide in this breathtaking performance, showcasing Sonya and Christine’s consummate musicianship, thrilling audacity, and daring imagination.

About Christine Johnston
Christine Johnston combines vocal performance and music with her visual arts background in creating stand out work. Known for her bent on humour, dramatic visual style, musical-saw and bird calls, she has created a diverse range of works nationally and internationally. Along with self-devised performances, including Madame Lark, she is also co-creator of the multi­award winning comedic trio The Kransky Sisters.

About Sonya Lifschitz
Sonya Lifschitz is an award-winning Ukrainian Australian pianist, performance -maker, pedagogue, artistic researcher, and cultural leader at the forefront of classical and contemporary art music. With repertoire spanning from 15th century Faenza Codex to works written for her today, she is known for her fiercely imaginative, daring collaborations across theatre, dance, film, visual art, and spoken word to create work that positions art music at the nexus of interdisciplinary performance practices. Described as “a life force of extraordinary density and capacity” and praised by the New York Times and The Age for her “dynamic” and “powerful” performances, Sonya’s artistry combines bold adventurousness with “miraculous keyboard technique and musicianship” (Woodstock Times). In 2024 she was the recipient of the prestigious Australian Women in Music ‘Excellence in Classical Music’ Award. Sonya has performed on world’s leading stages, including the Barbican (London), Venice Biennale (Italy), De Doelen (Rotterdam), Bargemusic (New York), Detroit Institute of Art (USA), and all of Australia's major festivals including Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Darwin Festivals, Canberra International Music Festival, Extended Play (Sydney), Metropolis (Melbourne), MONAFOMA (Hobart), Four Winds (Bermagui), and Ten Days on the Island (Tasmania). A regular ABC Classic presenter, Sonya has been featured on ABC and SBS TV and on national radio, including ABC Classic’s Legends, Duet, Festival of Female Composers, New Waves, and ABC Radio National’s Music Show. As a Fulbright Scholar, she studied with the legendary American pianist-conductor Leon Fleisher at the renowned Peabody Conservatory of Music (John Hopkins University, USA) and holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne. She is currently Head of Music Performance and Creative Practice at the University of NSW.

"Sonya Lifschitz is the most singular concert pianist in Australia today." — (Paul Kildea, Musica Viva Australia Artistic Director)