Elizabeth Connell – she showed that opera has a conscience

  This week we learnt with sadness of the death of soprano Elizabeth Connell. She thrilled audiences in Sydney and round the world with her voice and her interpretations of the great dramatic roles like Turandot, Lady Macbeth and Elektra. She sang on the most famous stages around the world – Prague, Hamburg, the Royal Opera…

The afflictions of music

Readers will be familiar with numerous studies claiming the physical and psychological benefits of participating in musical activities. The pressures of being a solo performer in the public eye are anything but calming. Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix – rock stars who died young weren’t the only ones. In classical music, Pergolesi,…

Jessye Norman Australian tour cancelled

Lennard Promotions have announced with regret the cancellation of Jessye Norman’s Australian tour, citing circumstances beyond the control of both the artist and the promoter. Ticket refunds are available from the place of purchase.

All the world’s a stage – concert venues outside the square

Hiring major venues in Sydney is a costly exercise. Albeit the performers get a world class stage and the support services to boot. However, the budget involved is more often than not, beyond the means of smaller and emerging artistes; and the larger auditoriums are not always acoustically suited to the performers. Meeting these needs are a…

Ode to joy – the Sydney Symphony Opening Gala

A superb performance by all in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House, Monday 13th February 2012. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy with soloists Lorina Gore, soprano, Sally-Anne Russell, mezzo-soprano, James Egglestone, tenor, and Michael Nagy, bass, with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. http://bigpondvideo.com/classical/422089

More on the SSO’s 80th season, the ACO reviewed and the cello breaks out……

The Sydney Symphony’s 8oth season gala continues tonight: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/symphonys-anniversary-hits-a-high-note-20120212-1szkg.html The ACO’s Chopin/Mendelssohn programme reviewed: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/capricious-performance-needs-more-melody-20120212-1szxx.html Cello-bration: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/no-more-mellow-cello-20120210-1sfbg.html

‘Love, class and politics’ – The Marriage of Figaro

The Australian’s Matthew Westwood previews Opera Australia’s current new production of The Marriage of Figaro: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/marriage-guidance-for-mozart-after-cold-feet/story-fn9d2mxu-1226263183013 At the Sydney Opera House till March 24th.

And then there were nine….

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra prepares to open its 2012 season with four performances of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony over the coming week. Check out this witty Q and A with Philip Glass from the UK Guardian on the curse of composing a Ninth Symphony. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/feb/05/pass-notes-ninth-symphony

English National Opera creates the Charles Mackerras Fellowship

  The legacy of Sir Charles Mackerras will be honoured in a new award created by the English National Opera, of which Sir Charles was director from 1970-1977. The first recipient is to be announced in April 2012. More at: http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/eno-announces-the-charles-mackerras-fellowship