The lasting memory

An intriguing feature on how music is remembered when other aspects of memory are impaired. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/musicians-memories-wiped-except-for-notes-of-harmony-20111114-1nfid.html

Notes on memory

Performing is a curious business. It regularly throws up conundrums and contradictions and one of those is the phenomenon of memory.  Dancers develop their muscle memory from hours of rehearsal and cues from the accompaniment; memorising lines is implicit in being an actor.  Solo instrumentalists almost always perform from memory.  All opera singers work from memory, yet…

The day opera sent a message to the government

So Silvio Berlusconi has finally stepped down. Recently, Alex Ross wrote about the indifference of the Berlusconi government to supporting the arts in Italy. (1) Ross also makes reference to the unprecedented action by Riccardo Muti, conducting Nabucco halted the performance and spoke to the audience about the situation. The response from both the chorus and the…

Poland awards woodward the gloria artis

The Australian pianist Roger Woodward has been awarded the Medal for Merit to Culture, Gloria Artis, gold category, by the Polish government – the highest award for contribution to Polish culture. This is Wooward’s fourth award for his services to Polish culture. Roger Woodward’s interpretation of the music of Chopin, his promotion of Polish culture, his services to…

Music…comes with a (positive) health warning.

Music is ubiquitous. Its impact on our lives is vast and indefinable. Matthew Westwood reviews some of the current beliefs surrounding the effect of music on the mind. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/for-health-keep-a-song-in-your-heart/story-e6frg8n6-1226188081061

Anne Sofie von Otter review….

Murray Black of “The Australian”  reviews Anne Sofie von Otter’s Sydney concerts: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/mezzosopranos-double-bill-of-delights/story-fn9d2mxu-1226188092405

Opera in 21st century Australia – the debate continues…..

The music fraternity comments on Lyndon Terracini’s Peggy Glanville-Hicks address: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/director-slated-for-failing-to-cultivate-opera-audiences/story-fn9d2mxu-1226184016943 ….and Lyndon Terracini responds: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opera-in-search-of-an-audience/story-fn9l8bny-1226186191515

Opera in 21st century Australia – the 2011 Peggy Glanville-Hicks Address

Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director of Opera Australia delivers the  2011 Peggy Glanville-Hicks address, and held each year by the New Music Network  to stimulate thought in creating and performing music in Australia.  This year’s topic was  Populism as Art and the Art of Populism.In his address, Terracini applies this statement to the future of opera…