Regardless of your taste in music, there are no doubt numerous times when that earworm burrows deeper and deeper into your cortex.
American singers and producer Pharell Williams’ song Happy has enjoyed astronomical worldwide success. In this feature, experts in composition, a DJ, an academic and BBC 1’s head of music look at what makes a tune so hard to forget – and therefore, so commercially successful.
“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…
The eagerly anticipated new staging of Don Giovanni, directed by Sir David McVicar has opened in Sydney. Judging by its enthusiastic reception on opening night, it didn’t disappoint. One of Sydney’s favourite baritones, Teddy Tahu Rhodes reprised his role as the ‘Don’ – and who can forget his explosive, leather clad appearance on stage in the…
“Flora is fabulous! She sashays across the stage in a beautiful costume. She is a courtesan; she has exciting parties and has to move through this harsh half-world where there are aristocrats and wealthy patrons.” So says mezzo-soprano Celeste Haworth, soon to sing the role of Flora Bervoix in Opera Australia’s production of La Traviata at the Sydney Opera House later this year..
Sydney born tenor Samuel Sakker begins his second year on the Jette Parker Young Artist programme at the Royal Opera in Covent Garden. During his time in the UK he has sung alongside some of the world’s best singers, amongst them, Placido Domingo, Joyce DiDonato and Idebrando D’Arcangelo. Earlier this year, Samuel sang at an…
The 2018 Grammy for Best Choral Performance goes to Philadelphia new music chamber choir The Crossing for The Fifth Century, featuring the music of the English composer Gavin Bryars (b 1943). Bryars: The Fifth Century — Donald Nally, conductor (PRISM Quartet; The Crossing) Other nominees: Handel: Messiah — Andrew Davis, conductor; Noel Edison, chorus master…
Grappling in a sword fight with his clothes on fire whilst working as a stuntman is the most dangerous thing he has ever done, says Riccardo Massi. But has it prepared him for sharing the stage with a 60 metre long fire breathing dragon? Perhaps! The softly spoken spinto tenor is in Sydney preparing for…