Visitors to Tiong Bahru market yesterday were greeted by an unusual sight - members of the Australian World Orchestra going around taking photographs with curious residents.

Among the musicians were clarinetist Frank Celata, saxophonist Christina Leonard and violinist Natalie Chee.

The orchestra, which held a concert at the Esplanade yesterday, is the first Australian orchestra to visit Singapore under the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The partnership, which Australia and Singapore signed in June last year, seeks to strengthen cultural ties, as well as defence, trade and investment, science and innovation, and education engagements between the two countries. The Australian government is supporting the tour by the orchestra.