Latest news
Elizabeth Connell – she showed that opera has a conscience
This week we learnt with sadness of the death of soprano Elizabeth Connell. She thrilled audiences in Sydney and round the world with her voice and her interpretations of the great dramatic roles like Turandot, Lady Macbeth and Elektra. She sang on the most famous stages around the world – Prague, Hamburg, the Royal Opera…
The afflictions of music
Readers will be familiar with numerous studies claiming the physical and psychological benefits of participating in musical activities. The pressures of being a solo performer in the public eye are anything but calming. Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix – rock stars who died young weren’t the only ones. In classical music, Pergolesi,…
Jessye Norman Australian tour cancelled
Lennard Promotions have announced with regret the cancellation of Jessye Norman’s Australian tour, citing circumstances beyond the control of both the artist and the promoter. Ticket refunds are available from the place of purchase.
All the world’s a stage – concert venues outside the square
Hiring major venues in Sydney is a costly exercise. Albeit the performers get a world class stage and the support services to boot. However, the budget involved is more often than not, beyond the means of smaller and emerging artistes; and the larger auditoriums are not always acoustically suited to the performers. Meeting these needs are a…
Ode to joy – the Sydney Symphony Opening Gala
A superb performance by all in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House, Monday 13th February 2012. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy with soloists Lorina Gore, soprano, Sally-Anne Russell, mezzo-soprano, James Egglestone, tenor, and Michael Nagy, bass, with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. http://bigpondvideo.com/classical/422089
More on the SSO’s 80th season, the ACO reviewed and the cello breaks out……
The Sydney Symphony’s 8oth season gala continues tonight: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/symphonys-anniversary-hits-a-high-note-20120212-1szkg.html The ACO’s Chopin/Mendelssohn programme reviewed: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/capricious-performance-needs-more-melody-20120212-1szxx.html Cello-bration: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/no-more-mellow-cello-20120210-1sfbg.html
Latest reviews
extraordinary tale – extraordinary singing from the idea of north
As always, The Idea of North delight listeners with their new CD. Their freshness, purity of tone and unerring pitch, blend like the strands of a braid that start and end their journey together, meandering their own part in between, independent, but never losing sight of being part of the single design. Extraordinary Tale (ABC…
Sydney Camerata grows with metamorphosen
Last week, Sydney Camerata commemorated its third anniversary with a concert they called Metamorphosen,which culminated in the eponymous work for 23 strings by Richard Strauss. The resonant intimacy of North Sydney’s Independent Theatre was well suited to the size and sound of this ensemble, which chameleon like re-configures itself to adapt to what is being performed. Opening the concert with…