James Rhodes: On being a concert pianist
“My life involves endless hours of repetitive and frustrating practising, lonely hotel rooms, dodgy pianos, aggressively bitchy reviews, isolation, confusing airline reward programmes, physiotherapy, stretches of nervous boredom (counting ceiling tiles backstage as the house slowly fills up) punctuated by short moments of extreme pressure” says pianist James Rhodes. He still believes “without a shadow of…
The passion in wagner
Wagner-mania continues this month with this feature from Paul Mason in The Guardian.
ARTSONG NSW Auditions for singers and pianists
ARTSONG NSW is auditioning experienced young singers and accompanists looking for performance opportunities, to perform in their recitals. Singers should be prepared to present 3 contrasting art songs (not operatic arias). Pianists without singing partners may be asked to accompany selected auditionees. All applicants should send an up to date CV with phone and email details,…
Jessica Pratt wins major Italian award
Congratulations to British-Australian soprano Jessica Pratt, who has been awarded Italy’s most important award for coloratura sopranos La Siola d’Oro. Previous winners of the prize include Joan Sutherland, Sumi Jo, Pretty Yende, Annik Massis and Luciana Serra. The award ceremony will take place on the 8th of May, 2013, at the Teatro A. Bonci in Cesena, Italy, when Ms….
Wagner bicentenary
The date of Wagner’s birth bicentenary is not far away – May 22nd 2013. Click here to read Matthew Westwood’s feature in The Australian.
Leichhardt Espresso Chorus launches Kids Choir
Starting this week,Leichhardt Espresso Chorus is launching a regular kids choir under the artistic direction of music educator Michelle Leonard. Several choirs for various age groups (from Kindy to Yr 7) will rehearse weekly on a Monday or Tuesday afternoon at the Italian Forum Cultural Centre, Leichhardt. There is no audition required. However Michelle will spend…
Bryn Terfel performs in Sydney
The legendary bass-baritone Bryn Terfel is in Sydney for just one performance at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 30th April 2013. Click here to read his interview with Harriet Cunningham from the Sydney Morning Herald.
Edmund Choo to compete in the semi-finals of the Kathleen Ferrier Award at the Wigmore Hall
Toi toi to Edmund Choo, lyric coloratura tenor, presently furthering his operatic singing career in London. He is one of just 11 semi-finalists in the annual Kathleen Ferrier Award semi-finals, to be held at the Wigmore Hall in London on April 23rd. Antipodean winners of the competition have included bass-baritone Jonathan Lemalu (joint winner in 2002), and mezzo-soprano Wendy…
‘What We Really Do’ – The Tallis Scholars celebrate 40 years with a second edition
From London, Peter Phillips, the founder and conductor of The Tallis Scholars writes “I’m pleased to announce the publication of my new book–What We Really Do, 2nd edition. As you may remember, the original version with this title was published ten years ago, to mark the 30th anniversary of The Tallis Scholars. Now it is the…