Jonas Kauffman interviewed
The impossibly perfect tenor Jonas Kauffman in a recent interview with The Guardian. In June he sings in a gala concert at the Royal Albert Hall with Anna Netrebko and ErwinSchrott, and also at Covent Garden in Les Troyens. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/apr/05/jonas-kaufmann-tenor-great-pretender
Halcyon and Vox Dream and Dance into the 21st century
When the voices of Halcyon get together with the voices of Vox, you can expect a vision of the future. This weekend they collaborate in a programme called Dreams and Dances in which the focus is very definitely on the ‘here and now’ as well as on ‘what’s next’. Halcyon is Australia’s premiere new music vocal ensemble, created…
APRA/AMCOS Art Music Award winners 2012.
Last week APRA/AMCOS announced its annual Art Music Awards winners for 2012. The awards acknowledge achievement in the composition, performance, education and presentation of Australian music. There are ten national awards and several State Awards which include these categories as well as outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations in Australian music, music education and regional music. The Art Music Awards were…
A new name for the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra
It’s not so old, but already the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra has re-invented itself and will, in future be known as The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO). Here’s the announcement from the orchestra: “It is with great pleasure and excitement that we announce that the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra will officially be rebranded as THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA (TMO) at our next…
Press round-up
It’s been a quiet week with the Easter break, but Sydney’s concert scene is getting busy again. In the meantime, here’s a retrospective on Opera on Sydney Harbour, and review of Reneee Fleming’s latest CD Poemes: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/opera-on-the-water-floats-high/story-fn9d2mxu-1226327245185 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/poemes-renee-fleming/story-fn9sulvf-1226323885741
Hot off the Press….
Review of Sydney Chamber Opera’s production of Philip Glass’ “In the Penal Colony: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/redemption-through-glass-darkly-20120408-1wj74.html Anf that that other famous Minimalist composer Steve Reich is due in town: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/minimalist-master-20120404-1wbfa.html Where to for classical music recording in Australia?: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/ambition-grows-for-recordings/story-e6frg8n6-1226322288037
Hot off the press….Anne-Sophie Mutter reviews, the opera conference, ‘Red Dog’ the musical and Sondheim.
Reviews of AnneSophie Mutter with the SSO: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/review/gig/sydney-symphony-with-annesophie-mutter-20120401-1w6ed.html http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/intelligence-and-technique-combine-for-a-sublime-performance/story-e6frg8n6-1226315731944 The Opera Conference: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/keeping-opera-on-song/story-fncypcd0-1226314701379 Red Dog has its day – as a musical: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/a-big-day-for-a-barking-idea-20120321-1vkf5.html Tim Teeman from The Times interviews Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim talks about his childhood and some of the experiences that have made his lyrics so incisive and his music so poignant: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/stephen-sondheim-is-back-on-the-bike-with-a-new-musical/story-fnb64oi6-1226312296318
More soloists announced for Sappho
In November last year, Sounds Like Sydney published an interview with emerging conductor Jennifer Condon, presently working as Souffleuse at the Hamburg State Opera. http://soundslikesydney.com.au/wp-admin/post.php?post=5917&action=edit She has however, a burning ambition which has dictated much of how she has spent her time for past 10 years: she wants to bring to life Sappho, the…
opera update….an new name for the opera theatre
How did this get past us??! The opera theatre of the Sydney Opera House will be named in honour of Dame Joan Sutherland: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/theatre-rename-honours-la-stupenda-as-house-awaits-la-traviata-20120316-1vanu.html An update on La Traviata on Sydney Harbour: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/nervous-wait-for-opera-australia-as-weather-plays-its-part-20120328-1vyla.html