Jess Hitchcock & Penny Quartet

Fresh from transformative performances that captivated audiences in Adelaide and Perth Festivals, Musica Viva Australia and Melbourne Recital Centre proudly present Jess Hitchcock and Penny Quartet as a highlight of NAIDOC week – an experience designed to connect us to something deeper.

Jess Hitchcock is a Melbourne-based Indigenous singer-songwriter, opera and jazz singer, writer and composer. A true storyteller whose narratives resonate far beyond entertainment. Her endlessly versatile voice creates moments of profound connection, whether in the intimacy of a studio, the grandeur of a stage, or the expansive energy of a football stadium. 

Penny Quartet is an award-winning Australian string quartet with an appetite for innovation. From regional touring to festival appearances to international performances, they transform conventional listening into experiences of genuine discovery. 

Together, Jess and the Pennies present an evening of music that creates space for reflection and renewal through the collaborative vision of 11 Australian composers, each commissioned to reimagine one of Jess's songs for voice and string quartet. 

The result is an exquisite song-cycle for the here and now, interwoven with solo quartet repertory, offering precious moments of clarity amid our complex lives. Will you recognize each composer's unique perspective? Will you discover new dimensions to familiar emotions? 

And will you find yourself moved by the authentic presence of Jess's voice? yes