CD Release: Kingfisher – Songs For Halcyon
This month, Halcyon’s new recording, Kingfisher – Songs for Halcyon was released on the Tall Poppies label (TP 236). Formed in 1998, Halcyon has been at the vanguard of creating and performing Australian music. Kingfisher – Songs for Halcyon reflects the breadth of contemporary classical Australian writing. Featuring 21 new songs written especially for Halcyon and some thrilling virtuosic…
Brisbane Baroque 2016 Goes On Sale
Following its huge success and its swag of five Helpmann Awards in 2015, Brisbane Baroque has unveiled its 2016 program, an expanded season in its second year showcasing international stars and a host of emerging Australian musicians, set to run from Friday April 8 until Saturday April 16. Following the triumphant production of Faramondo in 2015,…
CD Review: A Very Brandenburg Christmas/ Australian Brandenburg Orchestra/Larissa Kovalchuk
The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s new CD A Very Brandenburg Christmas, is a live recording of its popular 2014 Noël! Noël! annual Christmas concert at Sydney’s City Recital Hall. With the 2015 Noël! Noël! series expanded to include a new venue and an additional concert, the release of A Very Brandenburg Christmas is timely addition to the…
A Very Brandenburg Christmas – A New CD From The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra has released A Very Brandenburg Christmas, a live recording of its 2014 Noël! Noël! concert which includes the Brandenburg Choir, Larissa Kovalchuk playing bandura, Christina Leonard on saxophone and Ben Dollman, baroque violin, conducted by Artistic Director Paul Dyer, AO. Recorded at the City Recital Hall by ABC Classics, A Very Brandenburg Christmas features the five-time ARIA Award winning Australian…
$400 Million For Sydney Opera House Upgrade
A $400 million upgrade is planned for the Sydney Opera House, reports Matthew Westwood in The Australian. Does this plan place too much competition on the venue to live up to expectations as a tourist facility as well as a centre for the arts and its ensembles in residence?
Melbourne To Host BBC Proms Australia in 2016
Sydneysiders might be tempted to plan a visit to Melbourne next year with the BBC announcing that it will bring a version of the BBC Proms festival to Melbourne from April 13- 16 in 2016. The Melbourne Proms will be held at Hamer Hall over 4 days and will feature two of Australia’s main orchestras –…
Starting Young
The ABRSM in the UK (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) has announced a major teaching initiative aimed at introducing primary school children in England to classical music. The ABRSM’s ‘Classical 100’ is an online resource supported by Decca and UK’s Classic FM, based on a list of 100 works that it believes are…
Kaufmann Withdraws From ‘Carmen’ At Covent Garden Due To Illness
Jonas Kaufmann has cancelled his two performances as Don Jose in Carmen at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden due to illness. His place will be taken by Italian tenor Andrea Carè. Click here for more.
Double Passes To Omega Ensemble’s ‘The Nutcracker’
Omega Ensemble is offering double passes to its concert The Nutcracker – a perfect start to the festive season. The music to Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet has been specially arranged for chamber ensemble as the musicians of Omega Ensemble, Ensemble in Residence at the City Recital Hall are joined by some of our country’s finest musicians from the Sydney Symphony…