Music,Lights, Art And Food – Brian Ritchie On Synaesthesia+
Imagine being one of those rare individuals who sees colour when hearing a piano sonata; or who experiences taste on hearing a symphony. Such is the neurological wiring of approximately 5% of the population known as ‘synaesthetes’. If you’re not a synaesthete and you want a taste of what it’s like to be one, Synaesthesia…
Teddy Tahu Rhodes Talks About The Dark Side With The New ‘Don’
The eagerly anticipated new staging of Don Giovanni, directed by Sir David McVicar has opened in Sydney. Judging by its enthusiastic reception on opening night, it didn’t disappoint. One of Sydney’s favourite baritones, Teddy Tahu Rhodes reprised his role as the ‘Don’ – and who can forget his explosive, leather clad appearance on stage in the…
Why Der Rosenkavalier is Strauss’ best
Thespian Simon Callow believes that Der Rosenkavalier is Richard Strauss’ most successful opera. “The stage throngs with action, comic intrigues, genre scenes, farce, double cross-dressing, but …..it hinges on moments of the most sublime stillness: the Marschallin’s meditation on time in the first act, the presentation of the silver rose in the second, and that final trio.” Read the…
Corrupt Music Competitions
Cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber levels some serious allegations against music competitions writes Hannah Ellis-Petersen in The Guardian
Don Giovanni Picture Gallery
A brand new production of Don Giovanni hits the board tomorrow night in the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House. Opera Australia has recruited Glaswegian opera and theatre director Sir David McVicar to create this staging. Teddy Tahu Rhodes will again sing the role of ‘the Don’. Accustomed as we are to seeing him clad…
Ranieri Wins Kerikeri Piano Competition
Congratulations to pianist Alex Ranieri who has won the $15,000 first prize in New Zealand’s Kerikeri International Piano Competition held recently in the Bay of Islands. Alex also received the Jill Cottle award for the Best Sonata. Ranieri’s award-winning performance included music by Berg, Brahms, Vine, Granados and Messiaen’s Le Loriot, A graduate of the Queensland Conservatoium of Music from whence he graduated in 2013 with a University Medal and First Class honours in Advanced Performance, Ranieri is presently undertaking a Master’s degree offered jointly…
Wishing On A Star – Inside Opera Australia’s Young Artist Program
A few informal conversations with emerging young professionals revealed to me that one of the most important aspects of their career path was ‘on-the-job’ experience whilst in the workforce. Be it corporate life, a trade or medicine, ‘hands-on’ professional training is critical. But what of the performing arts -in particular, opera? How is a singer…
‘Collusion’ – Versatile Duo Susie Bishop and Emily-Rose Šárkova Talk About Their Concert With The Marais Project
Continuing their 15th anniversary celebrations, The Marais Project’s Director, Jennifer Eriksson, combines with versatile young musicians Susie Bishop (violin, treble viol and voice) and Emily-Rose Šárkova (piano, harpsichord and piano accordion) in their August concert entitled Collusion. Classically trained both in Australia and in Europe, but adept across a range of genres including tango, world…
2014 Helpmann Award Nominees Announced
Judging by the nominations for the 2014 Helpmann Awards, the art of opera in Australia is alive and well with Opera Australia, Hobart Baroque and Victorian Opera in the running for at least three awards each. Since their inauguration in 2001, the Helpmann Awards have recognised distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in Australia’s live performance…