World-class violin brings beauty to Jewish spaces

A world-class violin, worth an estimated $20 million, will soon sing inside two of Australia’s most storied Jewish buildings, kicking off the 2026 season of Live At Yours.

This March, Sergej Krylov makes his Australian debut in concerts at the Great Synagogue Sydney and Melbourne’s Toorak Synagogue, performing alongside acclaimed Australian pianist Konstantin Shamray. Krylov will be performing on of of the world’s most valuable Stradivari violins — the 1710 “Camposelice”.

The Camposelice itself carries extraordinary history. More than 300 years old and often described as priceless, the Camposelice Stradivari is currently on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation. Speaking previously to The Strad, Krylov described the violin’s sound as rich, resonant and almost human, almost like a dialogue with the soul, and “nothing short of extraordinary”.

That idea of dialogue sits at the heart of these evenings. Rather than a formal concert, Live at Yours concerts are designed as immersive experiences within the architecture of the synagogues themselves. Mood lighting highlights the buildings’ historic details, guests are invited to bring drinks from the in-house gin bar to their seats, and from the bimah, the musicians speak directly to the audience, sharing stories and reflections on the all-French program, and opening the floor for questions.

It is a format that feels unmistakably Jewish; it’s music as conversation.