Kissin’s Australian debut

Matthew Westwood reviews Kissin’s Sunday night Brisbane performance. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/lights-piano-action-aplenty-at-brisbane-festival/story-e6frg8n6-1226135146196

Win tickets to Winterreise

Baritone Barry Ryan and pianist Louise Scott perform Schubert’s Winterreise for Art Song NSW this Friday, September 16th, at 7 pm at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Art Song NSW have generously donated two tickets to readers of SoundsLikeSydney. To enter the draw, email info@soundslikesydney.com.au  by 5 pm on Wednesday 14th September. Read more about the…

Macbeth and lakme – shining productions from Opera Australia

Peter McCallum reviews Opera Australia’s production of Verdi’s Macbeth which opened in Sydney last Saturday. (NB the singers are not correctly identified in the image). http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/something-wicked-this-way-comes-and-it-is-sure-to-thrill-audiences-20110911-1k407.html Murray Black’s thoughts on Opera Australia’s Lakme for The Australian http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/matthews-shines-as-lakme/story-fn9d31nx-1226134510311

the cor anglais – the horn that’s not

In her September series of ‘ Bach in the Dark’ concerts, cellist Rachel Scott has teamed up with Rachel Tolmie playing the cor anglais. (See our post on ‘Bach in the Dark’ for concert dates and venues). Admittedly there isn’t much in the repertoire for this unusual pairing of string and wind so the musicians have…

Sydney’s newest arts complex

The new performing arts precinct in Chatswood is preparing to ‘go live’: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/stage-set-for-venues-first-act/story-e6frg8n6-1226132501885

New strings take their bows

The Australian String Quartet has two new players. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/dream-chamber-music-role-keeps-young-violin-star-here/story-fn9d2mxu-1226131720638

Brandenburg, Boheme and a benefit

Last weekend musicians in Sydney put on a display of talent and camaraderie that delighted patrons. On Friday evening, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra opened its Celestial Vivaldi series with works by Rebel, Corrette, Dell’abaca and Vivaldi.  One of the most notable aspects of this evening was the alto section that was made up entirely of counter-tenors!…

Winning young performer

Saxophonist Nicholas Russoniello wins the 2011 ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year Award. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/classical-award-recognises-plenty-of-sax-appeal-no-strings-attached/story-e6frg8n6-1226129309211

Stephen Fry’s ‘Wagner and Me’

Wavelength Films in association with the BBC made this fascinating feature with Stephen Fry exploring the music of Wagner. http://www.smh.com.au/tv/show/wagner–me/wagner–me-20110902-1jp2g.html