‘The Reef’ reviewed

Peter McCallum reviews the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s The Reef: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/dream-dashed-by-clanging-cymbals-20120724-22n2p.html

A truly dazzling virtuoso – the keyed trumpet premieres in Sydney

Gabriele Cassone playing the keyed trumpet with The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, directed from the fortepiano by Paul Dyer, truly brought to life the title of the present series Dazzling Virtuoso with a breathtaking performance. A deliberate choice of adjective. The keyed trumpet, an instrument of the 18th century sits between the Baroque and the newer valved instruments, representing…

Aida reviewed

Opera Australia’s production of Verdi’s Aida, conducted by Arvo Volmer and directed and choreographed by Graeme Murphy has opened in Sydney. Peter McCallum reviews it for the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/murphys-grand-design-a-triumph-in-a-tight-space-20120718-22alj.html

The ACO with Ashkar and Dean

Harriet Cunningham reviews the ACO’s Trout Quintet/Quartet for the End of Time concert: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/urgent-intense-and-inspirational-20120715-223zx.html

The Good, the Bad and the Awkward – A new recording from Sally Whitwell

Researching the material for her new album, The Good, the Bad and the Awkward I imagine pianist Sally Whitwell reclining in an armchair in front of her television with a box of truffles and a magnum of French champagne slaving her way through dozens of movie classics. She admits that researching this project,  was ‘too much fun’. The Good, the Bad and the Awkward is a…

Towering performances bring ‘Die tote Stadt’ to life

Die tote Stadt, opus 12  by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Opera in 3 acts with to a libretto by Paul Schott (Julius and E. W. Korngold) after Georges Rodenbach’s novel Bruges la morte. Opera Australia, Sydney Opera House June 30th 2012   It is a fortuitous collision of talent to have an opera composed by a prolific writer of cinematic music, directed by an Oscar…

Angela Denoke: a serendipitous visit

Angela Denoke, soprano Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Sir Andrew Davis, conductor Sydney Opera House COnert Hall, June 29th 2012. Programme: Wagner R:  Overture from Tannhäuser Wagner R:  Die Walküre: Du bist der Lenz WagnerR:  Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod Strauss R:  Der Rosenkavalier: Suite Strauss   Salome: Final Scene Decades of inter-city rivalry were forgotten when Sydney audiences…

José Carbó – ‘My Latin Heart’

It comes from his heart. His Latin heart. Argentinian born Australian baritone José Carbó has recorded a collection of music from Argentina, My Latin Heart, a tribute to his heritage. Accompanying him are guitarist brothers Leonard and Slava Grigoryan. Together they have created a swathe of Latin American songs that blaze, glow, fade to embers and flare again. Carbó…