Latest news
Halcyon and Vox Dream and Dance into the 21st century
When the voices of Halcyon get together with the voices of Vox, you can expect a vision of the future. This weekend they collaborate in a programme called Dreams and Dances in which the focus is very definitely on the ‘here and now’ as well as on ‘what’s next’. Halcyon is Australia’s premiere new music vocal ensemble, created…
APRA/AMCOS Art Music Award winners 2012.
Last week APRA/AMCOS announced its annual Art Music Awards winners for 2012. The awards acknowledge achievement in the composition, performance, education and presentation of Australian music. There are ten national awards and several State Awards which include these categories as well as outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations in Australian music, music education and regional music. The Art Music Awards were…
A new name for the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra
It’s not so old, but already the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra has re-invented itself and will, in future be known as The Metropolitan Orchestra (TMO). Here’s the announcement from the orchestra: “It is with great pleasure and excitement that we announce that the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra will officially be rebranded as THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA (TMO) at our next…
Press round-up
It’s been a quiet week with the Easter break, but Sydney’s concert scene is getting busy again. In the meantime, here’s a retrospective on Opera on Sydney Harbour, and review of Reneee Fleming’s latest CD Poemes: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/opera-on-the-water-floats-high/story-fn9d2mxu-1226327245185 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/poemes-renee-fleming/story-fn9sulvf-1226323885741
The 2012 Australian Singing Competition calls for singers
The IFAC Australian Singing Competition is open for entries! Both professional and amateur opera or classical singers aged under 26 on June 23rd are eligible to compete. The total prize money in 2012 exceeded $215,000 and includes the prestigious Marianne Mathy Scholarship – the ‘Mathy Award’. Queensland born bass Jeffrey Black is this year’s National Adjudicator. Part of his…
Hot off the Press….
Review of Sydney Chamber Opera’s production of Philip Glass’ “In the Penal Colony: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/redemption-through-glass-darkly-20120408-1wj74.html Anf that that other famous Minimalist composer Steve Reich is due in town: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/minimalist-master-20120404-1wbfa.html Where to for classical music recording in Australia?: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/ambition-grows-for-recordings/story-e6frg8n6-1226322288037
Latest reviews
The King’s Singers reviewed
Music critic for the SMH, Peter McCallum reviews the recent Sydney performance by the King’s singers: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/welltailored-sound-and-gentle-parody-make-a-right-royal-treat-20120220-1tjgp.html
“A stirring and insightful musical experience” – Turandot reviewed
Among his many virtues as a composer, Giacomo Puccini was above all, a master of contrast – musical, dramatic and ultimately emotional. He combined musical genius with an incisive theatrical instinct to create operas full of thrilling grandiosity and gripping intimacy, often within minutes of each other. Nowhere is this more evident than in…