Latest news
Elliott Carter dies aged 103: news round-up
Elliott Carter, the composer whom Aaron Copland described as “One of America’s most distinguished creative artists in any field” died on November 5th, aged 103. His creativity showed no signs of abating in his final years. One of his most recent compositions, Dialogues II received its premiere just last month with pianist Daniel Barenboim and Gustavo Dudamel…
Sydney conductor wins place in international competition
And there’s a special Sydney connection – Kálmán’s daughter Yvonne, lived in Sydney for 9 years! She was on hand to watch the competition and present the prizes! Watch Carolyn Watson conducting an entertaining excerpt from Princess Mariza http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6aW417vbJA
Double passes on offer for the NCPA orchestral concert
There are double passes on offer for the concert by the orchestra of the National Performing Arts Centre from Beijng in China. This is a very young orchestra which was established just this year, and is already undertaking international tours. The concert is on Tuesday 6th November 2012 at 8 pm at the Sydney Opera House. If you’d like…
‘Sappho’ CD release
The new double CD recording of Sappho by Peggy Glanville-Hicks will be available for sale from mid-November. It features soprano Deborah Polaski, tenors Martin Homrich and Scott MacAllister, baritone Roman Trekel, bass-baritone Wolfgang Koch bass & John Tomlinson., with the Orquestra Gulbenkian and Coro Gulbenkian conducted by Jennifer Condon. Read our 2 part interview with Jennifer Condon: Part 1 Part…
Toscanini’s treasures for auction
The family of maestro Arturo Toscanini has placed hundreds of his valuable possessions on the market for auction by Sotheby’s in London on November 28th. The conductor died in New York in 1957. The items include Toscanini’s Steinway model D piano, some of his batons and documents hand written by Verdi, Wagner, Strauss and Mendelssohn. More at:…
Closer ties for the arts in Austral-asia
The federal government wants to build reciprocal relationships with arts bodies in Asia as part of closer ties with the continent http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/hopes-but-no-new-funds-for-asian-links/story-e6frg8n6-1226504849368
Latest reviews
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