“They might write it but darling, I don’t read it – I don’t need it”. So says the legendary soprano Jessye Norman in this excerpt from a no-holds-barred interview with Stephen Sackur of BBC’s HARDtalk.
She also gives her views on the selection of singers based on their appearance over their ability to sing a role.
Click here to down load the entire interview.
In echoes of the past, a Greek soprano will take the role of Tosca in Opera Australia’s winter production directed by John Bell and conducted by Christian Badea. Soprano Alexia Voulgaridou will sing the role with which the name of her compatriot Maria Callas is inextricably linked. It is not the soprano’s first performance in Sydney. She…
In a project reminiscent of Daniel Barenboim’s efforths at political and social reconciliation through music, composer Paul Stanhope has created “Exile Lamentations” , a work for chamber choir, soloists and oud, which was performed in Sydney by the Sydney Chamber Choir recently. This week Stanhope was awarded two APRA awards for composing both this (“Deserts of…
Paulo Montoya nominates the 10 best opera movies in Limelight magazine. What do you think? http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/Article/264240,the-top-ten-opera-films.aspx/0 How about the 2009 Luc Bondy version of Tosca at The Met with Karita Mattllia, Marcelo Alvarez and George Gagnidze – the audience reacted with both cheers and catcalls. Reviews: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/sep/22/tosca-metropolitan-opera-review http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2009/10/05/091005crmu_music_ross You tube clips of this production of Tosca: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFMucDLo5KY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwWu3Y71AsI&feature=related
As the world remembers fallen soldiers this week and the year marks the centenary of WW I, conductor Marin Alsop writes about the enduring power of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem and why it is unique amongst sacred works. Click here to read.
Verdi’s Luisa Miller opened in the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House last night – and the audience loved it! A co-production between Opera Australia and Opera Lausanne, it is visually surreal and abstract with standout singing. Scroll down to see all 8 images from the production. Performances till February 29. Images courtesy Opera…
Check out this very entertaining feature from smh.tv – Opera Australia’s production of La Boheme goes on a regional tour: http://www.smh.com.au/tv/show/outback-opera/outback-opera-20111118-1nmzi.html?rand=1321745380422