James Rhodes On Awards In Classical Music
Pianist James Rhodes offers some refreshingly frank thoughts about the classical music industry. He claims the industry “has been divided into sharks on the one hand (anything for a buck, even if it involves bastardising the music to an unrecognisable degree) and the “purebloods” on the other – the Aryan race of the music world where…
‘Prelude and Cube’: Kats-Chernin Talks About Her Anniversary Piece For The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
“It’s like a blank canvas for large scale emotion. When you hear it, you can let your mind wander – thinking about what this orchestra has done, all the different instruments their sounds…their colour…..” The words of composer Elena Kats-Chernin as she sits in the studio of her Sydney home, talking about the newly…
Stuart Skelton sings ‘Grimes’ At The ENO This Month.
The English National Opera’s 2014 season of Britten’s opera Peter Grimes is in full swing with Sydney born tenor Stuart Skelton singing the role of Grimes, a role he had made his own. Sydney audiences may recall his compelling performance in the Opera Australia production of 2009. Here is a list of links to…
Have You Heard? the ACO Won Four Grammies!
It’s news that has nearly slipped under the radar – the Australian Chamber Orchestra is a major force in a recording which won no less than four 2014 Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles ceremony late last month. For the ACO, the album, Winter Morning Walks, is a transatlantic collaboration with composer Maria Schneider, soprano…
CD Review: Julia Lezhneva ‘Alleluia’
The precociously talented Russian soprano Julia Lezhneva will make her debut Australian appearance at the 2014 Hobart Baroque festival. At just 23, the Moscow trained singer has performed with musical royalty like Marc Minkowski, Juan Diego Flores, Il Giardino Armonico and Angela Gheorghiu – and there is an Australian connection – she completed post-graduate studies…
‘Elektra’ around the world
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra presents a staged version of Richard Strauss’ opera Elektra in late February. American soprano Christine Goerke performs as Elektra, a role she has made her own. From the rave reviews she had gathered, this concert is certain to be a memorable one – but tickets are scarce. Here are links to…
Abbado Recordings – On Disc And Film
Sadly Claudio Abbado is no more. Thanks to the digital age, his work lives on through his numerous recordings and videos. Gramophone magazine’s website has a selection of his 10 best recordings and the Berlin Philharmoniker concerts on video.
‘The Turk In Italy’ – Sneak Peek
Opera Australia’s new production of Rossini’s The Turk in Italy opens tonight in Sydney. Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect. Images by Lisa Tomasetti, courtesy Opera Australia. Scroll down for all 8 images.
Australia Scores A Covent Garden Hat-Trick
Deborah Humble talks with tenor Sam Sakker about his expectations from the Covent Garden Young Artist Programme. Australia’s geographical isolation has always meant that young singers have had to travel far from home seeking to broaden their musical and cultural horizons. In September this year three more Australians will join the Jette Parker Young Artists’…