Latest news
The Dark side of mothering: Herodias in ‘Salome’
There’s no time for niceties in Richard Strauss’ opera Salome. There’s no overture that introduces themes and focuses the mind. Rather, the music and the narrative plunge straight into the tangle of lust and depravity that culminates in death and ruin. This week in Sydney, Opera Australia presents a new production of Salome, directed…
‘undress for opera’ addresses its future
Whether you believe opera as an art form is moribund or thriving, opera companies the world over are examining its relevance to 21st century living and building strategies to attract and retain audiences into the future. In Sydney, Opera on Sydney Harbour exceeded expectations on many fronts; high definition opera in the cinema has brought…
Merit a myth for women in music
Awards for excellence in acting are separated according to gender, so why aren’t the awards for excellence in music? Jessica Duchen of The Independent argues the detrimental effects of a continuing focus on the appearance rather than the abilities of female musicians: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/features/sexism-with-strings-attached-8197972.html
Opera Australia’s CEO moves on
After 16 years as CEO of Opera Australia, Adrian Collette is leaving the company at the end of 2012 to take up a post with the University of Melbourne. Collette began his career with the company as a Young Artist, interleaved with a career in publishing before returning to the company as CEO in 1997….
The Academy of Ancient Music’s Egarr to appear with the ACO
Think back to the celebrations of the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and the flotilla of boats on the Thames. One of those boats contained a troupe of elite musicians and their director who provided music for those who were close enough to hear them as they passed by. That ensemble was the…
Mehta to conduct the 2013 Australian World Orchestra in Sydney
The news that Maestro Zubin Mehta is to conduct in Sydney in 2013 is nothing short of thrilling. The charismatic conductor ranks amongst the world’s greatest. Born and raised in India, his career has spanned both operatic and symphonic repertoire in the most famous ‘houses’ of the world, and has transcended national boundaries. He is Music…
Latest reviews
Tranquillity: Voices of Deep Calm
There’s no doubt that the sound of the St Petersburg Chamber Choir is quite distinctive. Whether it is the Russian language, the way they speak, the way they sing or even something ‘in the air’, they produce a richness that is unique. The ensemble, conducted y Nikolai Korniev has recorded a compilation of a capella sacred works…
Angela Hewitt reviewed
Peter McCallum reviews Angela Hewitt’s recital for the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/sublime-bach-rendition-a-moving-experience-20120925-26iig.html