OPERA IN THE ARBORETUM - PEARL BEACH -16th MARCH 2019

Greetings to all our music and loving supporters. With just over six months to go I feel it is time that I should introduce the wonderful artists we have lined up for you next March.

Topping the bill, we welcome back who first entertained us in 2012 and once again in 2015. Rosario trained at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music then continued his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. In 2002, Rosario won first prize in the Mario Del Monaco International Opera Competition and made his principal role debut at as Riccardo () reprising the role in Genoa.

Returning also from 2012 is his beautiful wife, mezzo soprano Milijana Nikolic, her most recent performances include Jane Seymour (Anna Bolena) with The Metropolitan Opera New York, Eboli (Don Carlo), Amneris (), Verdi’s and the title role in Carmen for . For Teatro Real Madrid, Milijana performed Pantasilea (Bomarzo), Carmen for Fujiwara Opera Japan and Dalila (Samson et Dalila) with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

For his first time in Pearl Beach, we welcome Christopher Tonkin Australian baritone. Christopher has developed a reputation as one of Australia's most successful young exports. Praised for his "sweet" (Opera Magazine), "gloriously rich baritone" (Opera Now) and "dramatic authority" (Chichester Observer), together with his intensive characterisation and especially his striking physicality. He is regularly engaged in principal roles in opera houses and concert halls in Europe, as well as his native Australia.

Joining Christopher for her first visit will be soprano Antoinette Halloran, one of Australia’s most accomplished and best-loved sopranos. Antoinette Halloran performs regularly with all the major Australasian opera companies and symphony orchestras and appears frequently on national television and radio. Her 2017 engagements included the title role in for West Australian Opera (Helpmann Award nomination), The Fox in for Victorian Opera, associate artist for José Carreras’ National Tour and concert appearances with the Melbourne, West Australian and Christchurch Symphony Orchestras.

Special welcome back to Pearl Beach for his third time is guitarist Guiseppe Zangari. Since 2003, Giuseppe has been a teacher and lecturer at the Newcastle Conservatorium, the University of Newcastle, and more recently has taught at the Sydney Conservatorium - University of Sydney and at the School of the Arts and Media - University of New South Wales. At the Newcastle Conservatorium Giuseppe assisted in the development of a new guitar syllabus with colleagues. Giuseppe is also a guitar examiner for the Australian Music Examinations Board. He has given live broadcasts for ABC Classic FM through the 'Young Australia Series' and ‘Sunday Live’. As a soloist and chamber musician he has also performed extensively at a variety of festivals and concerts throughout Australia.

Accompanying all the above artists is pianist Francis Greep and together with the accomplished youthful members of the Central Coast Chamber Orchestra under the direction of conductor Patrick Brennan.

We plan to have tickets available for purchase from mid-November.

John Greenway. Opera in the Arboretum Coordinator. Rotary Club of Woy Wot Inc.