When ‘more’ can be less….
Some years ago I attended a concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus. Sopranos Montserrat Caballe and her Callas look-alike daughter Monserrat Marti gave a superb rendition of solos and duets for female voices. The hall was packed; the audience brought them out – and they graciously obliged – for three encores. On the premise that one good…
Domingo’s newest role – and it’s not in opera.
At age 70, Placido Domingo, the baritone previously known as a tenor, is taking on new challenges that reach beyond his role on stage. FIFA president Sepp Blatter appointed Domingo (along with Henry Kissinger) to the troubled organisation’s ‘council of wisdom’ in June this year. It seems there is even more demand for Domingo’s skills as a trouble-shooter. Last…
the 2011 helpmanns – And the winners are….
Check out this year’s winners of The Helpmann Awards: http://www.helpmannawards.com.au/site/_content/document/00000185-source.pdf
the invisible path – soprano Allegra giagu talks about her career so far
Just pretend you’re 17 years old. You have decisions to make that will have a major impact on the rest of your life. It is not about choosing HSC subjects or whether to take a year off after school. These decisions are more definitive. They are what soprano Allegra Giagu faced when she was just this…
Paulo’s top 10 opera films.
Paulo Montoya nominates the 10 best opera movies in Limelight magazine. What do you think? http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/Article/264240,the-top-ten-opera-films.aspx/0 How about the 2009 Luc Bondy version of Tosca at The Met with Karita Mattllia, Marcelo Alvarez and George Gagnidze – the audience reacted with both cheers and catcalls. Reviews: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/sep/22/tosca-metropolitan-opera-review http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2009/10/05/091005crmu_music_ross You tube clips of this production of Tosca: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFMucDLo5KY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwWu3Y71AsI&feature=related
Dr Nicholas Milton on conducting Europe and ten years with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Dr Nicholas Milton this year celebrates 10 years at the helm of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. He recently returned to Sydney after a stint in Europe. He talks, in his own words about his experiences in Europe. First, SoundsLikeSydney asked him what changes he had observed in the WSo over the past yen years. “I am…
off the record – future directions in listening to music.
This is an interesting and useful article about how we will listen to music in years to come. http://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/focus/listening-wirelessly
Domingo’s 137th operatic role!
At the age of 70, Placido Domingo takes yet on another new role – Rigoletto! The Australian reports on this interview with the Times of London. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/at-70-placido-domingo-hits-the-low-notes/story-e6frg8n6-1226094840045
Taming the beast – taking control of music performance anxiety
Your heart pounds like a timpani, your pulse races faster than the ‘Minute Waltz’; your throat is drier than rosin, whilst the (Blue) Danube could gush from your sweaty palms any moment; you’re so shaky, the hours of vibrato practice were quite redundant. Yet you have to get control yourself and perform – whether it…