AUTHOR: Suzanne Yanko

Madiba the Musical

Composed and written by Jean-Pierre Hadida, with co-author Alicia Sebrien, Madiba The Musical is not simply a story about a great man; it also examines the impact of a repressive system on ordinary people and deftly summarises Winnie Mandela as a driving force behind her husband’s publicity.  The musical starts with the Narrator (David Dennis)…Read More

Deb’s new work already a winner

Classic Melbourne has pleasure in passing on this announcement from the Melbourne Recital Centre… Melbourne Recital Centre is delighted to announce the recipient of the Merlyn Myer Music Commission 2019: Yorta Yorta woman, soprano, composer and educator Deborah Cheetham AO. The Merlyn Myer Music Commission was initiated to celebrate the work of Australian female composers in collaboration…Read More

Tomfoolery

We have two reviews of Tomfoolery for you, the first by  Jon Jackson, written on  September 13, 2018… It has been quite a long time since I have seen or heard a performance of Tom Lehrer’s satirical works. During the 1950s and 60s, Lehrer wrote and performed songs which challenged the way society saw itself and…Read More

The Romance of Selby

A Selby & Friends concert is always as welcome an event in Melbourne as it is in their  home – for most, that’s Sydney, with some “friends” coming from much further afield.  I was recently able to chat with Kathryn Selby about  her forthcoming Melbourne tour, A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Romantic – 19:30, Jun.…Read More

Honour for Melbourne Musician

Classic Melbourne has important breaking news to share, thanks to the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. The MCO’s  Artistic Director William Hennessy has been honoured in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, with appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).  The MCO media release summarises Mr Hennessy’s many achievements as follows: “William Hennessy has long been…Read More

Opera initiative opens up primary classrooms

A trip to the opera is a treat that’s not always equally available to young schoolchildren. Until now, that is. What’s more, this new Victorian Opera initiative will surely be welcomed by teachers, freeing many of them from the less enjoyable aspects of a big excursion, like money to collect, keeping control of the children…Read More

Alexander Briger: Australian World Orchestra

The Australian World Orchestra is soon to make its annual visit to Melbourne and Sydney, with a punishing schedule, if you count international travel as a necessary part of the equation for many players. Alexander Briger AO, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the AWO, explained the workings of this unique orchestra to Classic Melbourne…Read More

Opera Australia: La Traviata

From curtain up to Act Three’s closing death scene Opera Australia’s production of La Traviata had what it took to satisfy aficionados of this most loved of Verdi’s operas and to win over new ones – or so it seemed from where we were sitting. Although I am not generally in favour of reviewers using…Read More

America Welcomes Australia’s Newest Lucia

A decade after launching her career in Italy, acclaimed Australian coloratura soprano Jessica Pratt delivers her first performances in the title role of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor at New York’s Metropolitan Opera on April 11 and 14. She remains one of only three Australians to sing Lucia di Lammermoor at La Scala, the others being…Read More

Vien, women and song

We’ve done the research, and can confidently report that the place for celebrating the New Year for 2018 is … Sydney! We’re not just talking about the world-famous fireworks in their matchless harbour setting, we’re talking about a night for opera-lovers, with a Gala and a show that starts its run tonight so you can…Read More