Celebrate spring with ArtSong NSW

Taking its name from Johann Strauss II’s immortal waltz Frühlingsstimmen(“Voices of Spring”), ArtSong NSW presents its own eponymously titled soiree later this month.

Celebrating the change of season, this concert is part of the Willoughby Spring Festival, and is being held in The Studio which is part of the exciting new Performing Arts Precinct at the Willoughby Civic Centre in Chatswood.

‘Voices of Spring’, Strauss’ opus 410, was composed in 1882 for soprano and orchestra. However, the soiree will feature not just soprano Rosamund Illing, but baritone James Roser as well, with pianist Sharolyn Kimmorley.

Rosamund Illing has sung on stages around Australia and the world. Her award winning career has straddled opera and art song with roles at the Royal opera, Covent Garden, Glyndebourne, the Welsh National Opera, Frankfurt and Vancouver. As well she has made several recordings of Art Song, notably the works of Duparc, Poulenc and Massenet.

Baritone James Roser’s star is on the rise having performed in opera and oratorio, art song and chamber works. He was the winner of the prestigious Mietta Song Recital Award in 2010.

Pianist Sharolyn Kimmorley AM, has shared the stage with Barbara Bonney, Kathleen Battle, Dame Joan Sutherland, Bryn Terfel, Sir Thomas Allen, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, David Hobson, Dennis O’Neill, Peter Coleman-Wright and Cheryl Barker.

Rosamund Illing opens the programme with three cameos from Mozart – Das Veilchen, An Chloë and Abendempfindung. Later on she draws on her expertise in Chanson  with exquisite works by Massenet, including Soir du Reve, Ave Maria, Jamais Plus! and Enchantement.

The recital just wouldn’t be complete without Schubert’s Im Frühling performed by Roser, along with more selections by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms and R Strauss. Finally, soprano and baritone join forces to sing Mendelssohn’s Gruss and Ich wollt’ meine Lieb’.

At this concert, Art Song NSW will be raffling an extraordinary item of Joan Sutherland memorabilia in the form of a limited edition print of Michael Stennett’s gouache portrait of Dame Joan in her costume – designed by Stennett- for the first act of Opera Australia’s 1979 production of La Traviata. (See our post on this portrait for more details of this opportunity).

Concert tickets:$40/ $35 (pensioners/students – with current concession cards).

 The Studio has 120 seats.

Bookings are essential.

Tickets are only available through ARTSONG NSW.

 Ring Jenny on 0411 110 889

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