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behind the scenes of a dress rehearsal at Opera Australia
Attending a dress rehearsal for a production by Opera Australia, I sense that the audience has all the expectancy and impatience of children on Christmas Eve, getting a sneak peek at the entertainment to come and to be the first amongst their friends to spill the beans. The orchestra is attired in mufti, the soft…
Don Giovanni trivia…….
Did you know….. the Estates Theatre in Prague where Don Giovanni received its premiere on October 29th 1787, conducted by Mozart himself, still stands. It puts on regular performances of the opera in much the same way it would have been performed in Mozart’s time. Outside the theatre is an ominous looking hooded statue of Il Commendatore. The …
Stephen Hough Strange Sonatas
Pianist Stephen Hough appears to be a man of boundless musical talent, tireless energy, intellect and generosity of spirit. He shares these attributes with his audiences with a sincere enthusiasm devoid of any dark undertones of superiority. His spoken and written words are as much a delight to absorb as his piano playing, and audiences were…
Northey explores mozart’s ‘special genius’ for opera
This week, conductor Benjamin Northey makes his debut with Opera Australia, taking the rostrum for the company’s production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni (K527). Northey spoke to SoundsLikeSydney whilst preparing for this major undertaking – preparation which has involved rehearsing with the incoming cast, assisting Mark Wigglesworth (who conducted the opening performances), being his ‘ears’ in…
Muti’s million
Conductor Riccardo Muti has been named as the second recipient of the biggest prize in classical music – the Birgit Nilsson Prize. The prize of a million dollars, is a bequest of the late Swedish soprano who died in 2005 aged 87. It is awarded every 2- 3 years for outstanding achievement in opera or concert by…
Richard Gill on music education
Having collaborated on the recent production of The Threepenny Opera, conductor and music educator Richard Gill and performer Eddie Perfect have struck another chord in the field of music education: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/odd-couple-stand-for-classical-ideals-20111015-1lq64.html Checkout also this brilliant presentation by Richard Gill for TEDx 2011 on “The Value of Music Education”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeRus3NVbwE
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