Concert Review: Omega Ensemble Beethoven’s Genius
Omega Ensemble Beethoven’s Genius Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House 30 August 2015 Ike See (violin), Airena Nakamura (violin), Amanda Verner (viola), Teije Hylkema (cello), Alex Henery (double bass), David Rowden (clarinet), Michael Dixon (horn), Ben Hoadley (bassoon) This year the Omega Ensemble is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and their recent concert entitled Beethoven’s Genius was a…
Review: The Marriage Of Figaro/Opera Australia
The Marriage of Figaro – Mozart, Opera Australia, August 6th 2015 Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House Last week Opera Australia unveiled its new production of The Marriage of Figaro, the second in the series of three Mozart-da Ponte operas which Sir David McVicar is realising for the company. In a complete contrast to…
Concert Review: Mahler’s Fourth/Omega ensemble
Omega Ensemble Mahler’s Fourth City Recital Hall Monday July 20 at 7.30pm Now in their tenth year, Sydney’s Omega Ensemble continues to live up to its stellar reputation. Artistic director/clarinettist David Rowden and his all-star squad of chamber musicians draw from a vibrant and diverse palette of styles, and are just as at home with…
Opera Review: La Traviata/Opera Australia
La Traviata – Giuseppe Verdi Opera Australia, 3 July 2015 It is only two years since Opera Australia last revived Elijah Moshinsky’s 1994 production ofLa Traviata. In this winter season it follows the revival of Graeme Murphy’s 1990 production of Turandot and precedes a revival of Moshinsky’s 1999 production of Don Carlos. In these difficult financial times Opera Australia is clearly making extensive use of its earlier investment in fine productions which…
Opera Review: Turandot/Opera Australia
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…
Concert Review: Musica Anonymous, Zephyr Quartet And Jane Sheldon
Música Anonymous The Zephyr Quartet and Jane Sheldon The Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House 17 June 2015 The ‘anonymous music’ which provided the title for this concert consists of folk and traditional music from far-flung countries, arranged by the performers themselves or by contemporary composers. The Zephyr Quartet, based in Adelaide, comprises four classically trained string players who endeavour to expand the boundaries of the normal quartet repertoire by working…
Sydney Chamber Choir Shows Off Its Party Tricks
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of its inception, the Sydney Chamber Choir and its alumni gathered under the direction of founding Music Director Dr Nicholas Routley in a performance they called Creativity + Loss. From the decades of repertory the choir has accumulated, the choir performed a carefully selected programme of the music it performs best,…
Concert Review: Vivaldi Unwired/ The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s Vivaldi Unwired programme, directed by Paul Dyer, AO opened at the City Recital Hall last night with guest artists violinist Brendan Joyce and saxophonist Christina Leonard. It was an entertaining evening of convention and innovation. Opening the concert with two cornerstones of the Baroque repertoire played in conventional style on period…
CD Review: Gabriel’s Message/The Renaissance Players
Cantigas de Santa Maria Volume V, Gabriel’s Message The Renaissance Players, Tall Poppies, TP232 Gabriel’s Message is the fifth and final volume in The Renaissance Players’ CD collection collectively called the Cantigas de Santa Maria. Gabriel’s Message continues the ensemble’s excellent performances in the style of the time, on replicas of ancient instruments. The recording…