The Australian World Orchestra – a look back at 2011.
With the Australian World Orchestra set to take the stage again in Sydney under the baton of Maestro Zubin Mehta in 2013, we revisit the inaugural performances held in Sydney, in September 2011. “The chance to see just how good the musicians are that we export to the world”. So said Alexander Briger, Artistic Director…
‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ opens in Sydney
Donizetti’s bel canto masterpiece Lucia di Lammermoor opens in Sydney this week. The Opera Australia production has Emma Matthews in the title role with American tenor James Valenti as Edgardo and Giorgio Caoduro as Enrico. These images give an idea of the power and drama of the opera and below them, the link to a feature about the…
Hamburg appoints Nagano to succeed Young from 2015
The Hamburg State Opera has announced a new team to lead the company from 2015 when the contract of Simone Young comes to an end. Japanese American maestro Kent Nagano, music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and of the Bavarian State Opera will take on the roles of principal music director and principal conductor…
‘Sappho’ comes to life – Part II
Last week we published the first of a two part interview with emerging conductor Jennifer Condon whose ambition to record Sappho, the forgotten final opera by Peggy Glanville-Hicks has propelled her into the spotlight and into history. Navigating the hurdles, she has landed on the rostrum feet first. The recording was completed last July….
Learn to play the Taiko drum!
TaikOz complement their Sydney concerts this week with long weekend workshops in the art of Japanese drumming. The 90 minute long workshops called “Taiko for everyone” will have enthusiasts learning basic techniques as well as a short piece of music. There are insights into the history and concepts behind the art and the pleasure of making music with…
The genius of Gould
For some, the names of JS Bach and Glenn Gould are inextricably linked. As we commemorate Gould’s birth anniversary on September 25th 1932, The Guardian takes a comprehensive look at his legacy with insights form some of today’s foremost pianists: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/sep/20/glenn-gould-wilfully-idiotic-genius
‘We regret to announce…..’
If you remember soprano Sumi Jo’s sudden departure from Sydney and the role of Lucia and the more recent cancellations of tours by Jessye Norman and Deborah Voigt, then you’re no stranger to the vagaries of casting in opera. Zachary Woolf of the New York Times takes a closer look: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/arts/music/karita-mattila-and-peter-gelb-on-cancellations.html?ref=music
‘Sappho’ comes to life – Part I
Part 1 of two-part interview with emerging Australian conductor Jennifer Condon. Nearly 12 months ago, 28 year old Jennifer Condon visited Sydney to garner support for a project fired by a passion that has burned in her for the best part of a decade. During her final year of school in Sydney, she heard a fragment of…
Back to the future with tenor Joseph Calleja
Lyric tenor Jospeh Calleja last week shared the stage with violinist Nicola Benedetti and Jiri Belohlavek at the Last Night of the Proms. For the Belohlavek, it was his final appearance at the Proms and as the chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Calleja recently released a new CD in tribute to Mario Lanza. In a recent…