About Us
Mountain Productions Incorporated
Mountain Productions Incorporated is a not-for-profit association with charity status, established primarily to present the Blackheath Chamber Music Festival as an annual cultural event in the upper-Blue Mountains region—a project designed
to showcase Australia's most distinguished classical musicians performing glorious baroque and chamber music over 3 days, as well as to introduce new visitors to Blackheath and surrounds to support our community. Founded by Catherine Harker, the BCMF has established itself as an important and unique event on Australia's chamber music calendar.
We depend entirely on the support/donations of the community and our loyal audiences as ticket sales alone are not enough to cover expenses. Currently, all work done to produce and present the BCMF is volunteered.
Together with our Partners and audiences we celebrate creativity, excellence, and the magic of music to enrich lives and connect communities on this Dharug and Gundungurra mountain’s land.
A message from our new Artistic Director
Lerida Delbridge
I am deeply honoured that Catherine is entrusting me with the Blackheath Chamber Music Festival. I have watched with admiration how Catherine has built the Festival, and established, in just six years, a flagship event in the Australian cultural calendar. Catherine’s vision and tenacity has been inspirational!
I look forward to building on Catherine’s legacy and working together with the community of Blackheath and the Upper Mountains. Planning for the 2027 Festival is well underway, and I am incredibly excited to share next year’s program with you in the coming month, and meeting the devoted BCMF audience next year under the magnificent Autumn leaves of Blackheath
Thank you, Catherine, for this opportunity and all that you have given to the Arts and the Mountains
Artistic Director 2027 - Present-
Violinist, Lerida Delbridge, has carved out a varied career as a chamber musician, orchestral principal, recording artist and educator. As a founding member of the international award-winning Tinalley String Quartet, she has performed in many of the world’s finest series and concert halls throughout Europe and North America. Performing together for over 20 years, Tinalley were recording artists with DECCA Australia and frequently appeared at Australia’s major music festivals. As an orchestral musician, Lerida is currently Principal 2nd of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and was previously Assistant Concertmaster. Passionate about giving back to the community, she is currently Artistic Director of Hunters Hill Music. Lerida has a doctorate from The University of Melbourne, and studied at Yale and Stanford Universities.
A Message from BCMF Founder, Catherine Harker
Catherine Harker
Founder
Festival Director 2021 - 2026In 2019 it felt special to be designing something beautiful that could bring us all joy and certain respite when we were dealing with a frightening world.
The Blackheath Chamber Music Festival, featuring world-class performers, has grown exponentially in its brief six year history, and as founder, I’m honoured it is now considered a unique, significant entity in the Australian arts arena.
Without the wonderfully enthusiastic appreciation of the BCMF audiences this could not be, so I thank you for coming each year, for being so receptive, and for supporting my vision.
Earlier this year I decided to step down as Festival Director of the BCMF, and I am delighted to announce I am passing the baton to Lerida Delbridge as Festival Director, commencing with the 2027 Festival. Lerida has been an exciting performer at several of our Festivals; and she has an illustrious career as founder and violinist of the Tinalley String Quartet and as Assistant Concertmaster and now Principal 2nd of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
I look forward to seeing you in 2027 when you welcome Lerida. She is vibrant and creative, and the Blackheath Chamber Music Festival future will be bright with Lerida at the helm.
Blue Mist Theme 2022
2021 presented us all with challenges and so, in response to requests for a theme for the 2022 festival, Blue Mist came to mind, reflecting a myriad of connotations, from hue to aura.
When viewed from a distance, a blue haze blankets our region, hence the name Blue Mountains. Forests of eucalyptus and gum trees grow in the area, and oil droplets emitted from the forests combine with dust particles and water vapour, scattering short-wavelength rays of light, predominantly blue in colour.
We are delighted to present our 12 thought-provoking evocative ‘blue mist-themed’ programs.