Album Review: Aida/ Bocelli/ Lewis/ Mehta

Andrea Bocelli has recently released his 39th album, a recording of Verdi’s Aida, on the Decca label (483 0075). Aida is Bocelli’s 13th opera album and his second recording of a single Verdian opera – the first was Il Trovatore in 2004 conducted by Steven Mercurio. Other explorations of Verdi’s repertoire include an album of…

Opera Review: Mozart And Salieri/ Bare Bones Opera

Mozart And Salieri – Triple Bill Bare Bones Opera Australian Performing Arts Grammar School, Sydney August 4, 2016 Written by Leona Geeves It was almost a case of Mozart and Salieri appearing on Broadway when Bare Bones Opera made its debut and a splash with its enterprising selection of rarities at a new venue, Australian…

CD Review: The Haydn Album/ Australian Haydn Ensemble

  Barely five years old, the Australian Haydn Ensemble (AHE), has released its debut recording, The Haydn Album on ABC Classics. It marks an important milestone in the evolution of the ensemble, as it diversifies beyond the annual concert series it has presented since its founding in 2011 by artistic director and concertmaster of the ensemble,…

Opera Review: Simon Boccanegra / Opera Australia

  Simon Boccanegra  –  Giuseppe Verdi Opera Australia, Joan Sutherland Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 26 July 2016 Author: Larry Turner for SoundsLikeSydney© Opera Australia’s current staging of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra first appeared in 2000 as part of the Olympic Arts Festival. It has been revived by the company’s Senior Resident Director, Matthew Barclay, in…

Concert Review: Haydn & Mozart/ Australian Haydn Ensemble

Haydn & Mozart Australian Haydn Ensemble, fortepiano soloist – Dr Erin Helyard/ cello soloist – Daniel Yeadon City Recital Hall July 16, City Recital Hall, Sydney Writer: Leona Geeves The Australian Haydn Ensemble, under the Artistic Direction of violinist, Skye McIntosh, with Guest Director and fortepiano soloist Erin Helyard and cellist Daniel Yeadon presented the timeless music of two…

Opera Review: Così fan tutte/ Opera Australia

Così fan tutte – Mozart Opera Australia, Joan Sutherland Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 19 July 2016 Several years ago Opera Australia commissioned the Scottish director Sir David McVicar to direct the three Mozart/Da Ponte operas over three years. Don Giovanni was premiered in 2014, The Marriage of Figaro appeared last year and this year…

Concert Review: Senses & Sensibilities/ Australia Piano Quartet

  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…

Concert Review: Beethoven’s Seventh/ Omega Ensemble

 Beethoven’s Seventh – Omega Ensemble  Lisa Osmialowski (flute), Alex Fontaine (oboe), Matthew Bubb (oboe), David Rowden (clarinet), John Lewis (clarinet), Ben Hoadley (bassoon), Simone Walters (bassoon), Melissa Woodroffe (contra bassoon), Michael Dixon (horn), Phil Wilson (horn), Ike See (violin), James Eccles (viola), Paul Stender (cello), Alex Henery (double bass), Timothy Brigden (timpani) 11 July 2016,…