David Alden’s new production of Verdi’s Otello opened at the English National Opera last week with two Australian born singers in the lead roles – Stuart Skelton as the Moor and Jonathan Summers as Iago. Andrew Clements in The Guardian says “It is Jonathan Summers’s totally compelling Iago who holds centre stage.”
Senses & Sensibilities – Australia Piano Quartet Rebecca Chan (Violin), James Wannan (Viola), Thomas Rann (Cello), Daniel de Borah (Piano) With special guests: Dr. Jordan Nguyen, Jessica Irwin 16 July 2016, Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House The Australian Piano Quartet (APQ) has a stated aim for each concert of programming a recognised masterpiece, an…
Turandot – Giacomo Puccini Opera Australia, 24 June 2015 Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House It is now 25 years since Graeme Murphy’s much-admired production of Turandot was first seen in 1990. During that time it has achieved almost iconic status because of the sheer beauty of many of its stage pictures. Murphy’s background as a choreographer is evident throughout as the opera unfolds in a series of…
Love and Lamentations Sophia Mitchell’s Farewell Concert Ferguson Hall, St Stephen’s church Macquarie Street 24 May 2014 Mezzo-soprano Sophia Mitchell is following the well-trodden path of promising young Australian singers and in September she and her family, including a young child, will be re-locating to London. Having already obtained her first degree at the…
“Baroque Duets” a new CD release, has a lot to say for itself. First and foremost, it is a superb compilation of Baroque vocal music, eminently listenable but away from the beaten track; it is also a historically informed and technically well executed performance by singers and instrumentalists on period instruments; it even contains a…
CPE Bach, Mozart and Haydn Australian Haydn Ensemble City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney 15 December 2017 Written by Victoria Watson The Australian Haydn Ensemble was born from a dream of violinist Skye McIntosh in 2012. To her credit, the ensemble has matured into a major player among the fine chamber orchestras of Australia. Specialising…
Harpist Jacinta Dennett’s solo album Fable features the music of female Australian composers whose lives and work span more than six decades. highlighting the versatility of the harp and its long- overlooked potential as a solo instrument. Dennett is an able performer and makes a serious case for some pieces to garner more attention than they have in the past.