Latest news
Wishing On A Star – Inside Opera Australia’s Young Artist Program
A few informal conversations with emerging young professionals revealed to me that one of the most important aspects of their career path was ‘on-the-job’ experience whilst in the workforce. Be it corporate life, a trade or medicine, ‘hands-on’ professional training is critical. But what of the performing arts -in particular, opera? How is a singer…
‘Collusion’ – Versatile Duo Susie Bishop and Emily-Rose Šárkova Talk About Their Concert With The Marais Project
Continuing their 15th anniversary celebrations, The Marais Project’s Director, Jennifer Eriksson, combines with versatile young musicians Susie Bishop (violin, treble viol and voice) and Emily-Rose Šárkova (piano, harpsichord and piano accordion) in their August concert entitled Collusion. Classically trained both in Australia and in Europe, but adept across a range of genres including tango, world…
2014 Helpmann Award Nominees Announced
Judging by the nominations for the 2014 Helpmann Awards, the art of opera in Australia is alive and well with Opera Australia, Hobart Baroque and Victorian Opera in the running for at least three awards each. Since their inauguration in 2001, the Helpmann Awards have recognised distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in Australia’s live performance…
Vale Lorin Maazel
The conductor Lorin Maazel has died at his home in Virginia aged 84. “By his 11th birthday he had already shared a podium with Leopold Stokowski, while the no less legendary Arturo Toscanini was responsible for getting Maazel his first steady conducting job in 1942, when Maazel was only 12.” More in The Guardian. …
Sydney Musicians in ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer Award Finals
Three outstanding Sydney musicians have made it to the finals of the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards, which this year celebrates its 70th anniversary. The 2014 finals will be held between 19-28 August in Adelaide. Amongst the finalists are Wahroonga violinist Grace Clifford who is just 15 years old, James Jae-Won Moon, a 27-year-old pianist…
Vale Myer Fredman
The ABC has announced the death of conductor Myer Fredman, who passed away last Friday night in Hobart, aged 82. Myer Fredman was very active in opera and orchestral music in Australian in the 70s, 80s and 90s, in Europe, and especially in his native UK, prior to moving to Australia. He was notable as a…
Latest reviews
CD Review: A Celtic Christmas/Australian Brandenburg Orchestra And Choir
With all the frisson of a live recording, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s newest release A Celtic Christmas, from their 2013 Christmas concerts at Sydney’s City Recital Hall and released on the ABC Classics label (ABC 481 1317), is a refreshing collection of seasonal music that goes beyond traditional fare. Paul Dyer’s indefatiguable capacity to curate…
CD Review: This Time/ Grigoryan Brothers
“Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two” – a quote attributed to Fredric Chopin. When those two guitars are played by brothers who have shared a journey in both life and music the combined effect is something special. This Time the CD released by the Grigoryan brothers, Slava and Leonard is the …