About

Based on Wurundjeri Country in Naarm/Melbourne, Chamber Made cultivates adventurous multi-artform practice to disrupt and rewrite conventions of live performance. A commitment to collaboration, an appetite for innovation, and an ongoing fascination in the intersecting spaces between artforms drives us into our fourth decade with renewed energy. Our approach is genre-agnostic, with each work reflecting the diverse practices of the collaborating artists in a form that emerges in relationship to the concept and themes being explored. Our works speak directly to a 21st century Australia enriched by the meeting of cultures.

The company is led by Artistic Director Tamara Saulwick, who, as an acclaimed performance-maker and director with over 25 years’ experience, brings a deep knowledge of multi-artform collaborative practice. Since 1988, Chamber Made has been a leader in the creation of new Australian work, creating over 50 works and presenting over 100 performance seasons in Australia and internationally, which have been recognised with myriad national and international awards and nominations.

Through artworks, mentorships, internships, practice exchange, residencies and advocacy, we create pathways, opportunities, and expanded networks for a diverse cohort of artists and arts workers.

Recent awards

2024

APRA AMCOS Art Music Award Finalist – Work of the Year Dramatic for The Nervous Atmosphere

Creative Australia Asia Pacific Arts nomination – Inspire for Chamber Made body of work

Creative Australia Asia Pacific Arts nomination – Innovation for Hi-Viz Satellites

2023

APRA AMCOS Art Music Award nomination – Excellence in Experimental Practice for My Self in That Moment

2022

Green Room Award nomination – Sound Sculpture for SYSTEM_ERROR

2021

APRA AMCOS Art Music Award winner – Work of the Year (Dramatic) for Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep

Green Room Award nomination – Artist Led Actions for Hi-Viz Practice Exchange

Music Theare NOW (Netherlands) winner – for Dybbuks

2020

APRA AMCOS Art Music Award nomination – Work of the Year (Electroacoustic) for Diaspora

Green Room Award winner – Best Production for Diaspora

Green Room Award winner – Visual Design for Diaspora

Green Room Award nomination – Sound Performance & Design for Diaspora

Green Room Award nomination – Ensemble for Diaspora

2018

APRA AMCOS Art Music Award winner – Excellence in Experimental Music for Between 8&9

2017

APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards winner – Victorian Performance of the Year for Permission to Speak

APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards nomination – Choral Work of the Year for Permission to Speak

Chamber Made has multi-year, re-current funding from the Victorian Government and has an enduring support base from philanthropic and earned income. Chamber Made is based in a studio managed by the City of Melbourne’s Meat Market tenancy program.

History

Chamber Made Opera was established in 1988 by stage director Douglas Horton and Stephen Armstrong, its founding General Manager. Based in Melbourne it has been recognised as the only performing arts company in Australia exclusively dedicated to the creation and presentation of entirely original, new chamber opera.

Between 1998 – 2014 the company was steered by Artistic Director Douglas Horton (1988– 2009), then David Young (2009 – 2013). From 2013 – 2016 the company was led by Creative Director Tim Stitz working with four Artistic Associates: Sarah Kriegler, Tamara Saulwick, Christie Stott and Erkki Veltheim. In early 2017, Tamara Saulwick was appointed Artistic Director, to work closely alongside Tim Stitz in his role as Creative Director. In 2018 new Executive Producer Kylie McRae joined Tamara to help lead the company into its fourth decade. As of May 2024 Tamara and Kylie are Co-CEOs.

Chamber Made has collaboration and interdisciplinary practice at its heart. Since 2014 an overt focus on chamber opera has evolved into a broader remit of creating works that re-imagine how music and performance can converge. The works emerging from this model are engaging and complex. In each case the presentation mode and format emerges out of a deep consideration of the relationship between form and content, expression and reception.

Click here to read more about Chamber Made Opera’s first quarter century, explore the company’s archive or browse our past eNews.

Annual Reports

2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
2020 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report
2017 Annual Report
2016 Annual Report
2015 Annual Report
2014 Annual Report
2013 Annual Report
2012 Annual Report

Chamber Made acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and pays its respects to their Elders past and present.

Chamber Made Opera is a not-for-profit association incorporated in Victoria, with Australian Taxation Office-endorsed Tax Concession Charity and Deductible Gift Recipient status.

ABN 84 490 162 765

Incorporation number A0016507A