The blank canvas where artists can XL
The Project commenced mid January 2017 with a two-week intensive project filled with masterclasses, language coaching and special presentations from industry experts including: Stefan Cassomenos, Jacqueline Dark, Liane Keegan, Justin Jacobs and Simon Kenway, culminating in concerts of Italian Aria Antique and Mozart works.
Each participant prepared an Aria Antique, along with being assigned a selection of Mozart Recitative and an Ensemble from one of Mozart's operas. These were used in the masterclass and workshop situations and also presented as part of the concerts.
Project Concerts
Guest Masters
Stefan Cassomenos
Melbourne pianist and composer Stefan Cassomenos is one of Australia’s most vibrant and versatile musicians. Stefan has performed internationally since the age of 10, and performed the premiere of his own composition Piano Concerto No 1: Aegean Odyssey with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at the age of 16. More recently, he has performed concertos with the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Victoria. Stefan now gives regular solo recitals and concerto performances throughout Australia, Europe, and Asia.
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Jacqueline Dark
Jacqueline Dark is a Helpmann and Green Room Award winning Australian mezzo Jacqueline Dark is a Helpmann and Green Room Award winning Australian mezzo-soprano, who is currently a principal artist with Opera Australia. Her performance experience encompasses opera, music theatre, cabaret and concert performances and includes the roles of Fricka and Second Norn (Der Ring Des Nibelungen),The Composer (Ariadne auf Naxos), Carmen(Carmen), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), for which she won a Green Room Awardfor BestFemale Performance in a Leading Role,Lady Billows (Albert Herring),Katisha (The Mikado), Dorabella (Così Fan Tutte ), the title role and Tisbe in Cenerentola, for which she won for a Green Room Award, Rosmira (Partenope), and Herodias (Salome), for which she won a Helpmann Award for Best Female Performance in a Supporting Role.
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Justin Jacobs
Justin spent many years living and studying overseas, and he is glad to be home again in Australia. He enjoys playing the piano, particularly in collaboration with singers and other instrumentalists. His other interests include opera, walking in nature, and being with his family and friends.
Simon Kenway
Simon Kenway is an established and highly respected orchestral and operatic conductor. He has held posts as Principal Chorus Master of Opera Australia, Musical Director for Opera in the Vineyards, Opera by George and Opera Under The Stars in Broome, and Conductor and Chief Vocal Coach for the Sydney Conservatorium Opera School. He now works as a freelance conductor, both internationally and in Australia and in 2015 was appointed Artistic Director of Pacific Opera.
Simon has conducted the Sydney, Tasmanian, West Australian, Canberra and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, Opera Australia, West Australian Opera, Opera Queensland, Australian Ballet, Hong Kong Philharmonic, many festivals, Aldeburgh Productions in UK, the Australian Youth Orchestra and Beijing Symphony Orchestra.
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