Latest news
Stuart Skelton Buckles Up For The Year Ahead
One of Sydney’s favourite tenors, Stuart Skelton, won’t be taking his foot off the pedal, judging from the release of his engagements for 2014-15. His appearances which straddle the opera theatre and the concert hall, include a debut performance at La Scala in Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, his role debut in Otello with English National Opera under Sir Edward Gardner,…
A New Youth Orchestra Flourishes in Sydney
It was not so long ago that we heard with heavy hearts, that the SBS Youth Orchestra was to be disbanded in 2013 after 25 very successful years of performing, touring and nurturing young musicians. Out of this ending though, came a new beginning with the formation of a new symphony orchestra for young musicians…
“Storytelling At Its Most Vivid And Manipulative” – Why Opera Still Matters
After Lindy Hume’s impassioned stance last week on maintaining the integrity and relevance of opera in the 21st century, over 400 years after it emerged, the directors of the UK’s seven major opera houses give their views on why opera is still important and how they would introduce neophytes to the art form.
Human Evolution In Music: Kim Moyes on ‘Timeline’ – The Presets With The Australian Chamber Orchestra
“Ridiculously ambitious ” says Kim Moyes, a member of electronic duo The Presets. A sure-fire way to arouse interest in a concept; and ‘concept’ seems to be the best way of describing Timeline the upcoming presentation by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, with The Presets. Directed from the violin by Richard Tognetti, along with Ignatius Jones…
Wagner, Mendelssohn and Handel – Deborah Humble’s Music Mix
Fresh from thrilling audiences with her portrayals of Erda and Waltraute in Neil Armfield’s production of The Ring by Wagner for Opera Australia in 2013, mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble is back in Australia for more Wagner and even more besides, with Mendelssohn and Handel on her schedule – none of it in the opera theatre. Humble is in…
Mathematics of Motion – A Chance Encounter With Jean-Philippe Rameau
The Marais Project has commissioned a number of new works in 2014 to celebrate its 15th anniversary year. The first of these new pieces is by composer and viola da gambist Alice Chance whose work “Mathematics of Motion” will receive its world premiere at the Marais Project’s season launch, “Rameau”. Philip Pogson caught up with…
Latest reviews
Concert Review: Tout Français/Thoroughbass
Tout Français Thoroughbass St Luke’s Anglican Church, Mosman November 16, 2014 Courtly dance music by lesser-known French composers was the focus for this concert given by Diana Weston – founder of early music ensemble Thoroughbass, with viola da gamba player, Shaun Ng and soprano Anna Fraser. Most of the works performed were composed during the…
Concert Review: The Company We Keep/Acacia Quartet
The Company We Keep, Acacia Quartet, The Australian Hall, Sydney November 6, 2014 Stepping away from the peak hour bustle on Sydney’s Elizabeth Street, the hidden gem that is the Australian Hall hosted the Acacia Quartet’s programme The Company We Keep, featuring music by Gershwin, Glass, Kreisler and Brisbane born, Hollywood based composer Joe Twist….