Salome reviewed

The character Salome has about as many layers as veils with which she is draped. Gale Edwards directs a thoughtful and refreshing take on  the eponymously titled opera by Richard Strauss, which opened in Sydney last week. The narrative is beautifully integrated with Julie Lynch’s costumes, Brian Thomson’s set designs and Kelley Abbey’s choreography. The production is supremely well presented…

Tranquillity: Voices of Deep Calm

There’s no doubt that the sound of the St Petersburg Chamber Choir is quite distinctive. Whether it is the Russian language, the way they speak, the way they sing or even something ‘in the air’, they produce a richness that is unique. The ensemble, conducted y Nikolai Korniev has recorded a compilation of a capella  sacred works…

Angela Hewitt reviewed

Peter McCallum reviews Angela Hewitt’s recital for the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/sublime-bach-rendition-a-moving-experience-20120925-26iig.html

Skelton powers through Grimes at the Proms

Last week Stuart Skelton sang the title role of Peter Grimes in a concert version of Britten’ eponymous opera at the BBC Proms in London.  Tim Ashley of TheGuardian describes the production as “overwhelming …sung, acted and played with uncompromising veracity and commitment”. Sydney audiences would be familiar with Skelton’s electrifying performance as Grimes when he sang the role for…

Das Rheingold in Brisbane reviewed

If you didn’t make it to Brisbane to hear Simone Young conduct the Hamburg State opera and Philharmonic Orchestra in  concert performnce of Das Rheingold, here’s a review by Matin Buzacott for The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/wagner-played-with-fantastic-power-and-great-restraint/story-fn9d2mxu-1226457251400

The Song Company’s ‘Sunken Dreams’ reviewed

Peter McCallum reviews The Song Company’s Sunken Dreams for the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/groups-bent-for-innovation-is-lost-in-fragments-of-sound-20120816-24b7y.html

‘South Pacific’ – the verdicts are out!

Here they are: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/even-decades-on-it-remains-an-enchanted-evening-20120812-242p4.html http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/world-of-lovers-but-a-dream/story-fn9d344c-1226448683157 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/bartlett-shers-production-of-south-pacific-remains-younger-than-springtime/story-fn9n8gph-1226446080649  

The ACO’s ‘Beethoven 9’ concert reviewed

Vincent Plush reviews The ACO’s Canberra performance of Beethoven’s 9th symphony with the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge: http://www.theaustralian.cot.au/arts/pure-joy-a-performance-for-the-history-books/story-e6frg8n6-1226443342722