The Melbourne-based Flinders Quartet celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025. Its members are Elizabeth Sellars – violin, Wilma Smith – violin (former NZSO concertmaster), Helen Ireland – viola, and Zoe Knighton – cello. Following a very successful 2025 Sunday Concerts performance, the Flinders Quartet with pianist Michael Houstoun return with a programme titled “Titans”.
Although Wilma joined the Flinders just a few years ago, she has had a long association with them having coached them when first in Melbourne preparing to take up the role of assistant concertmaster with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Over the years various Flinders players have come from the MSO and Orchestra Victoria, so Wilma has worked with the quartet over a long period.
Quartet members say they have developed their philosophy through many lunchtime, interval, and touring-road-trip conversations. ‘We’ve realised that cultural understanding and exchange come naturally to us. Deciphering Beethoven, Ravel, or Sibelius is as much about culture and history as it is about harmony and melody.’
Jessie Leov is an award-winning composer of New Zealand and Australian heritage. Outsidein was written for the Flinders Quartet in 2025. She says “outside in is inspired by the therapeutic power of the natural world and is based around the concept of bringing the “outside, in” for those who are unable to experience it in person. With this work I aim to evoke a feeling of immersion in nature, inviting the listener to imagine a place that brings them joy and comfort.”
How to buy tickets:
Tickets are $40, or $10 for those under 26. A school child attending with an adult who has purchased a full-price ticket is free.
Direct ticket purchases without fees
Directly booking with us by Internet banking or direct deposit to Wellington Chamber Music Trust – account: 38-9015-0271891-00 (please include your name in the details). Please also send an email to sundayconcertsnz@gmail.com with the names for the tickets and so that we can email tickets to you.
Other ways to buy single tickets:
• Booking online at: Eventfinda Bookings (transaction fees apply)
• Booking over the counter at ‘Visitor i-Sites’ in Wellington, Lower Hutt, Carterton, Masterton and Martinborough
• Phoning Eventfinda: 0800BUYTIX or 0800 289 849 Note: Eventfinda will not accept postal bookings. Tickets for all online and phone bookings will be emailed to you.
Door sales
• At the venue: from 2:30pm on the day of the concert (cash only). Sunday 09 May3:00 pm, St Andrew's on The TerrraceJessie Leov (NZ) outside in
Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in C Major Op 59 No 3
Johannes Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor Op 34 | 
