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This concert, featuring a who’s who of Australian musicians – let alone the inspirational teacher and pianist whose birthday they’d come to celebrate – would be my first 100 star review (if the editor permitted me to go so far off the radar). My reasoning is thus: there were 20 stellar musicians, most of them pianists, every one of them delivering a five-star performance in an impressive and highly entertaining program. Caroline Almonte was credited with having the idea for this concert so it was fitting that she and fellow pianist Ian Munro started proceedings – after the Recital Centre CEO Mary Vallentine had assured us that her warm tribute speech to Stephen McIntyre was “not a farewell”. Almonte and Munro’s performance of a piano duet by Schubert – Lebenssturme (‘Storms of Life’) – was beautifully executed, and allowed the full range of the Steinway concert grand to sing. It was typical of Stephen McIntyre’s modesty that he shared his first appearance on the platform with soprano Cheryl Barker. Soon to star in Opera Australia’s premiere production of Korngold’s Die tote Stadt Barker was in good voice as she sang Schubert’s Gretchen am Spinnrad and then Schumann’s Liebeslied with pleasing light and shade. McIntyre was a respectful accompanist, keeping a flowing sound yet allowing the piano part to be heard in equal partnership with Barker’s voice. The pianist is well known for his love of the Romantic repertoire and it was no surprise that he also chose Schubert for his first solo: the Andante sostenuto from Sonata D.960. McIntyre’s style appeared pared back, with no flourishes but rather an empathy for the long, concert-style work. He kept an evenness of tone, even as the work developed to a declamatory, Beethoven-like climax. The lyricism carried through to the last work in this half of the program, the first movement, Allegro, from Schubert’s Quintet in A major, D.667 (‘Trout’). With Wilma Smith, Justin Williams, Rohan De Korte and Steve Reeves joining Stephen McIntyre, the audience expected a memorable performance – and got it, as the five presented a joyous rendition of the well-loved work. After interval came the pianistic equivalent of bells and whistles in a 12-item program, About a Barcarolle. Not only did well-known performers continue to grace the stage, there were also composers in evidence – with Peter de Jager and Michael Kieran Harvey playing their own works. Bearing in mind Stephen McIntyre’s great influence as a teacher this program reminded one of a school concert with irrepressible, excited students taking turns to play duets, trios, duo piano pieces and more – except that all of them formed a who’s who of Australian musicians. Pianists Ian Munro, Caroline Almonte, Anna Goldsworthy, Michael Kieran Harvey, Benjamin Martin, Kristian Chong, Raymond Yong, Stefan Cassomenos, Daniel Yim, Stephen Ma (and of course Stephen McIntyre himself) were joined by sopranos, Cheryl Barker and Helen Noonan with baritone Michael Leighton Jones, Jeffrey Crellin (oboe), Prudence Davis (flute) – and the quartet that had played the ‘Trout’. It seems unfair to single out particular items, so high was the standard throughout, but some were notable: Stefan Cassomenos’s elegant renditions of works by Stuart Greenbaum and Gordon Kerry, then later joining Goldsworthy, Yong and Chong in Cecile Chaminade’s Les Noces d’argent. Yim and Ma triumphed in the demanding Tarantella by Rachmaninov – keeping eye contact and in perfect synch across two grands, and a complex piece. McIntyre joined old friends Crellin and Davis for the lovely ‘Trio for flute, oboe and piano’ by Madeleine Dring, with the oboe melody promising charm and harmony from the outset. The three were then upstaged by Noonan and Leighton Jones as the two cats of Rossini’s famous duet. Both were in great voice, but it was the baritone’s take on the (usually female) meows that had the audience weeping with laughter and captured the celebratory feel of the whole occasion. As for my idea of 100 stars: as Stephen McIntyre has had a hand in the musical development of so many performers (and many more, who are on stages or rostrums or in classrooms across the world) multiply that initial idea by ten. One thousand stars. Rating: 5 stars out of 5 Stephen McIntyre’s Birthday Celebration Melbourne Recital Centre May 27

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Events Calendar

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  • May 2022

Calendar of Events

M Mon

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0 events, 25

2 events, 26

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Mystic Dances

April 26 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Mystic Dances

The sumptuous combination of flute, viola and harp. The sumptuous combination of flute, viola and harp unites three exciting, young soloists…

$30 – $37
7:00 pm - 8:10 pm

ASQ in Concert: Britten Paterson Beethoven

April 26 @ 7:00 pm - 8:10 pm

ASQ in Concert: Britten Paterson Beethoven

Program Benjamin Britten Three Divertimenti David Paterson String Quartet No.1 (Melbourne premiere)* Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in C, Op.59 No.3,…

$60 – $70

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

0 events, 29

1 event, 30

7:00 pm - 8:15 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Across the Vast, Eternal Sky – The music of Ola Gjeilo

April 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Across the Vast, Eternal Sky – The music of Ola Gjeilo

Ola Gjeilo is one of the most frequently performed composers in the choral world. An accomplished pianist, improvisations over his own…

$25 – $55

2 events, 1

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Bach’s World

May 1 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Bach’s World

Music from Bach’s world, and music inspired by it, with guest direction by Sophie Rowell. Program Jan Zelenka Hypocondrie à 7…

$30 – $143
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 1 @ 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Presented by IOpera and Melbourne Opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is a satirical opera which premiered…

$35 – $95

2 events, 2

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Penny Quartet: Metamorphosis

May 2 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Penny Quartet: Metamorphosis

Celebrating the joys and complexities of the string quartet. Program György Ligeti String Quartet No.1, ‘Métamorphoses nocturnes’ Ella Macens Resting with…

$30 – $37
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Ensemble Liaison & Friends: Pictures

May 2 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Ensemble Liaison & Friends: Pictures

An animated, intimate and joyous event not to be missed. Program Christoph Willibald Gluck Orfeo ed Euridice Act II: ‘Dance of…

$45 – $55

2 events, 3

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

Australia’s finest early music specialists invite you to experience the beautiful melding of cultures in Europe’s historical borderlands for Musica Viva…

$40 – $153
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Presented by IOpera and Melbourne Opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is a satirical opera which premiered…

$35 – $95

1 event, 4

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 4 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

1 event, 5

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 5 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Presented by IOpera and Melbourne Opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is a satirical opera which premiered…

$35 – $95

0 events, 6

1 event, 7

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 7 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

3 events, 8

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Mother’s Day at fortyfivedownstairs: “Viola, Viola” and “Brahms and Dances”

May 8 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Mother’s Day at fortyfivedownstairs: “Viola, Viola” and “Brahms and Dances”

Mothers Day at fortyfivedownstairs! On Sunday the 8th of May, enjoy two gorgeous recitals in our theatre and a lovely afternoon…

$70
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Opera: Bel Canto Opera Spectacular

May 8 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Opera: Bel Canto Opera Spectacular

  Join a superb line-up of Australia's most renowned opera stars and the Melbourne Opera Orchestra on Mother's Day and celebrate…

$59
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Mozart

May 8 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Mozart

Stepping in to perform a sublime solo work in place of Craig Hill is none other than the Brandenburg’s own beloved Concertmaster, Shaun Lee-Chen.

$30 – $170

2 events, 9

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

KIAZMA – Relaxed Performance

May 9 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

KIAZMA – Relaxed Performance

About the artists Described as ‘masterful’, ‘positively ecstatic’ and ‘profoundly moving, subtle and exuberant’, the KIAZMA Piano Duo brings together the infectious musical…

$10
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby and Friends Twilight Series – Four-Part Harmony

May 9 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby and Friends Twilight Series – Four-Part Harmony

This program of beautiful piano quartets with four artists of extraordinary skill and warmth will be thrilling. Program Paul Stanhope My…

$55 – $57

1 event, 10

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 10 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

0 events, 11

2 events, 12

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jacqueline Porter & Dean Sky-Lucas – The Art of French Song

May 12 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jacqueline Porter & Dean Sky-Lucas – The Art of French Song

Jacqueline Porter (soprano) and Dean Sky-Lucas (piano) explore the inextricable links between poetry and music in an evening of exquisite French…

$24 – $44
8:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Kawai Piano Series – Stefan Cassomenos – Hammerklavier

Stefan Cassemenos
May 12 @ 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Kawai Piano Series – Stefan Cassomenos – Hammerklavier

Internationally acclaimed pianist Stefan Cassomenos presents three sweeping visions from venerated compositional titans - Ligeti’s epic whirlwind étude 'Fanfares', Gubaidulina’s earth-shattering…

$24 – $44

1 event, 13

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 13 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

2 events, 14

6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 14 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 14 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

Australia’s finest early music specialists invite you to experience the beautiful melding of cultures in Europe’s historical borderlands for Musica Viva…

$40 – $153

1 event, 15

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

GLOW – Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday

May 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

GLOW – Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday

Jasper Ly is an Australian oboist based in Melbourne. He is a dynamic and vibrant performer who aims to captivate and…

$25 – $35

2 events, 16

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

Benjamin Britten and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart reach out to one another across the centuries in profound and deeply moving communion. Mozart’s…

$25 – $131
7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

1 event, 17

6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 17 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149

1 event, 18

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

0 events, 19

1 event, 20

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

May 20 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

It’s 1879 and Giuseppe Verdi, Italy’s most beloved composer, has not written an opera for nearly a decade. What is to…

$42 – $55

4 events, 21

12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 21 @ 12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

May 21 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

It’s 1879 and Giuseppe Verdi, Italy’s most beloved composer, has not written an opera for nearly a decade. What is to…

$42 – $55
7:30 pm - 8:40 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Pines of Rome

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 8:40 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Pines of Rome

MSO and Melbourne Youth Orchestra in a special collaborative concert. Enjoy Respighi's symphonic showstopper plus a selection of modern masterpieces as…

$35
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

Benjamin Britten and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart reach out to one another across the centuries in profound and deeply moving communion. Mozart’s…

$25 – $131

2 events, 22

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

May 22 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

It’s 1879 and Giuseppe Verdi, Italy’s most beloved composer, has not written an opera for nearly a decade. What is to…

$42 – $55
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Australian Boys Choir: Austrian Encounters

May 22 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Australian Boys Choir: Austrian Encounters

Don’t miss the Australian Boys Choir in an orchestral extravaganza together with The Vocal Consort and the Australian Romantic & Classical…

$15 – $35

0 events, 23

1 event, 24

6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 24 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149

0 events, 25

1 event, 26

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 26 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

0 events, 27

1 event, 28

12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 28 @ 12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 31

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

0 events, 4

0 events, 5

  • There are no events on this day.
April 26
April 26 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Mystic Dances

April 26 @ 7:00 pm - 8:10 pm

ASQ in Concert: Britten Paterson Beethoven

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
April 30
April 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Across the Vast, Eternal Sky – The music of Ola Gjeilo

May 1
May 1 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Bach’s World

May 1 @ 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 2
May 2 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Penny Quartet: Metamorphosis

May 2 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Ensemble Liaison & Friends: Pictures

May 3
May 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 4
May 4 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 5
May 5 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

  • There are no events on this day.
May 7
May 7 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 8
May 8 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Mother’s Day at fortyfivedownstairs: “Viola, Viola” and “Brahms and Dances”

May 8 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Opera: Bel Canto Opera Spectacular

May 8 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Mozart

May 9
May 9 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

KIAZMA – Relaxed Performance

May 9 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby and Friends Twilight Series – Four-Part Harmony

May 10
May 10 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

  • There are no events on this day.
May 12
May 12 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jacqueline Porter & Dean Sky-Lucas – The Art of French Song

May 12 @ 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Kawai Piano Series – Stefan Cassomenos – Hammerklavier

May 13
May 13 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 14
May 14 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 14 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 15
May 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

GLOW – Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday

May 16
May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 17
May 17 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 18
May 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

  • There are no events on this day.
May 20
May 20 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

May 21
May 21 @ 12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 21 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 8:40 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Pines of Rome

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 22
May 22 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

May 22 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Australian Boys Choir: Austrian Encounters

May 24
May 24 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 26
May 26 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 28
May 28 @ 12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 21
May 21 @ 12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 21 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 8:40 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Pines of Rome

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 22
May 22 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Recurring

After Aida

May 22 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Australian Boys Choir: Austrian Encounters

  • There are no events on this day.
May 24
May 24 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

  • There are no events on this day.
May 26
May 26 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

  • There are no events on this day.
May 28
May 28 @ 12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
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