‘Dreamchaser’ reviewed
Sarah Brightman’s eleventh studio album Dreamchaser is a diverse mix of songs which represent well her description as a ‘classical crossover’ artist. The 11 tracks on the CD (Universal 3732715) take in a variety of styles from the more traditional Song of India by Rimsky-Korsakov, and the contemporary minimalism of the Lento è Largo of…
‘Operamania’ reviewed.
Operamania is an opportunity to hear an ensemble of Russian classical performers, doing what they do best. The ensemble of 44 orchestral musicians, conducted by Andrei Lebdev, 10 singers, 4 dancers and a pianist from the Novaya Opera of Moscow presented an evening of Classical and Romantic favourites from opera, ballet and symphonic works. Projected behind them…
CD review ‘Spheres’: Music meets metaphysics
“The Heavenly Spheres make music for us,…….All things join in the dance!” Gustav Holst Having recently recorded Max Richter’s re-composition of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for Deutsche Grammophon, violinist Daniel Hope looks to the elements yet again for inspiration in this recording called Spheres (DG 0289479 0571), which debuted at number 3 in the US BIllboard…
‘Lady Sings the viol’ the Marais Project – CD review
Abandon your notions regarding the viola da gamba when you listen to this recording, Lady Sings the Viol, from The Marais Project. In their 4th studio recording, the ensemble, led by gambist, founder and Music Director Jennifer Erkisson has gathered an ensemble of 5 female voices (Belinda Montgomery, Nicole Thomson, Megan Cronin, Narelle Evans, Mara Kiek)…
From Cadenzas to Riffs: Amy Dickson’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’
Amy Dickson, the Sydney born saxophonist has released her 3rd solo CD Catch Me If You Can (ABC Classics 481 0118) a pleasurable demonstration of her prowess and the potential of this instrument. Playing the alto saxophone, she has recorded three complete and substantial works, Escapades by John Williams (b1932), Concerto for Saxophone by Michael Kamen (1948 – 2003) and…
‘Carmen’ – Handa opera on Sydney Harbour reviewed
For a second year, Opera Australia has presented an outdoor performance located spectacularly at the Royal Botanic Gardens on the foreshores of Sydney Harbour. Nowhere else in the world is there such a wonderful setting with Sydney’s Opera House and Harbour Bridge providing a magical backdrop, and the city lights reflecting in the waters of the…
Vivaldi recomposition rekindles a first love
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons must surely be one of the most recorded works in history. Amazon’s listing of available recordings stretches to over 2000. It is a work that represents a coming of age for any violinist aspiring to a solo career. Perlman, Kennedy, Jansen, Shaham and Mutter have added their names to the roll…
The Gods go crazy – ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ opens in Sydney
It was the final rehearsal of Opera Australia’s production of Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld and Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini’s pre-curtain up announcements presaged something different. For this performance only, the audience was encouraged to tweet and secondly, they would be allowed to take photos during the final curtain calls. Stepping even further away from…
‘Les Troyens’ Met Opera in HD reviewed
As part of their hugely popular Met Opera in HD series, the Palace Cinemas recently screened Berlioz’ epic opera Les Troyens, Francesca Zambello’s acclaimed 2003 production with Fabio Luisi conducting a cast led by Byran Hymel in the central role of Aeneas, the hero who flees the ruins of Troy for a new set of challenges…