Australia’s Richest Competition For Opera & Classical Singing Featuring the Marianne Mathy Scholarship

2011 Finals Concert Opera Theatre Sydney Opera House Sunday 30 October 2011

Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra Compere Lyndon Terracini Guest Artist Zara Barrett

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The performance of the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra is proudly sponsored by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) and its Chairman, Dr Haruhisa Handa

FRONT COVER Welcome For three decades, the Competition has helped discover and provide career opportunities and funding for Dr Haruhisa Handa Bernadette Cullen many of the finest young singers in Chairman, IFAC National Adjudicator our Australasia. As world chairman of the International One of the most vital stages of any singer’s Tonight’s Finalists are no exception. Foundation for Arts and Culture, I take pride in career is to take part in singing competitions. the arts projects we support around the world. The outcome is not always important but the We are privileged to present five young For 13 years, we have been principal sponsor evolutionary journey, which these five singers singers from across Australia and New of the Australian Singing Competition and have and I, as National Adjudicator, have been on Zealand — competing for prizes and provided the opportunity for talented young since July has been an education to us all. opportunities that exceed $220,000. classical singers to perform with Australia’s Opera is the highest form of art and therefore top orchestras. requires incredible vocal expertise. Throughout In addition, each of these young voices Seeing aspiring artists go on to realise their the adjudication process, we have endeavoured has had the benefit of being interviewed potential is, for me, a real thrill and especially to look for vocal quality, technique, artistry, and heard by eminent professionals satisfying knowing that we have been potential, language skills and the ability to from the Australian and international instrumental in helping them achieve their aims. communicate to an audience. Australia’s Richest Competition For Opera & Classical Singing music fraternity. I am delighted that, in my absence, Trustees The conclusion of this journey is, for the Featuring the Marianne Mathy Scholarship of IFAC are in Sydney to represent me at the adjudicators, to choose the singers most vocally The future of opera 2011 Finals. equipped to do justice to the various prizes on is today’s young voices This prestigious event is an occasion, which offer, the most important of these being the will long be remembered by the singers, and, Marianne Mathy Scholarship. We hope all these While there is no guaranteed path to I trust, by the audience privileged to witness singers will forge a healthy operatic career and show true commitment, tenacity and honour a successful operatic career, many of their career-launching performances. Handa in achieving their dreams. our Competition participants have On behalf of IFAC, I wish the competitors continued success and fulfillment. I would like to thank the organisers of this gone on to pursue careers in Australia most prestigious event, my fellow adjudicators, and overseas, including Cheryl Barker, the sponsors, singers and you the audience Amelia Farrugia, Lisa Gasteen AO, for supporting these young operatic hopefuls. Emma Matthews, Rachelle Durkin, the Roland Gridiger This has been an uplifting experience for me late Deborah Riedel; Stewart Skelton, and one I will always cherish. Daniel Sumegi and Jeffrey Black to CEO, MOST name a few. Music and Opera Singers Trust Limited welcomes NSW Premier The Honourable Barry O’Farrell MP and Mrs. O’Farrell to the 2011 Finals Concert of the IFAC Australian Singing Competition. Dr Haruhisa Handa and IFAC’s generous sponsorship allows us to engage the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra on stage to Gridiger accompany the singers and present this spectacular event in the Sydney Opera House. As we celebrate our 30 years we salute all the talented artists who have entered this aussing.org.au competition and made a contribution to the fabric of Australia’s cultural life. We thank our sponsors and supporters for their confidence and good wishes and hope you enjoy Cullen hearing and meeting the cream of this year’s young opera and classical singers. Violin Zara Barrett Oboe Vivien Jeffery Guest Artist Matthew Tighe* (Deputy Concertmaster) Dramatic Soprano Lyndon Terracini Catalin Ungureanu~ Mark Bruwel Adrian Keating~ 2011 Opera Awards Compere Cor Anglais Tony Gault~ Andrew Malec Australia’s Richest Competition For Opera & Classical Singing Winners Artistic Director for Opera Australia Danny Rosenbaum Zara has performed many roles Lyndon has enjoyed a highly Airena Nakamura Clarinet Featuring the Marianne Mathy Scholarship in Australia and internationally successful international opera (Principal Second Violin) Richard Rourke* including Mimi and Musetta in La career, as a performer, director Marek Kruszynski Lisa McCowage bohéme, Micaëla in Carmen and Vitellia and writer. Lyndon made his operatic Robert Sek John Lewis in La Clemenza di Tito with companies debut in 1976 as Sid in Albert Rachel Westwood Bassoon such as Opera Queensland, National Herring with The Australian Opera Jaroslaw Talar Matthew Ockenden* Opera Wellington, Glimmerglass and was instrumental in creating the Rebecca Irwin Jennie McLachla Opera and Pittsburgh Opera in the breathtaking production of Handa Virginia Blunt United States. Opera on Sydney Harbour. Rachel Easton Horn Samuel Podjarski Michael Dixon Tom Dundas Victoria Chatterley 2011 Opera Awards Frankie lo Surdo Kerry Martin The following prizes have Philip Wilson Benjamin Northey Stephanie Zarka already been awarded Conductor Anna Albert Trumpet YMF Australia Award Brian Evans Associate Conductor with the Viola Armstrong-Martin Scholarship Christopher Perrin Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Comerford Haas Award Benjamin’s professional experience David Dixon Trombone Editorial Resources Prize spans opera, ballet and Magda Kruszynska Brett Favell* Zara Barrett contemporary music. He has Valmai Coggins William Farmer conducted the London Philharmonic Stefan Duwe Royal Over-Seas League Music Bursary Orchestra and orchestras throughout Robyn Stout Bass Trombone Clarissa Spata Brett Page Australia. In 2001 he was awarded Cello a Nelly Apt Scholarship by Music & Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme Eszter Mikes-Liu Tuba Opera Singers Trust Limited. Orchestra Management Louise Fenbury Andrew Hines Edwin Diefes ORCHESTRA MANAGER Henry Urbanavicius Glyndebourne Festival Prize Timpani Gérard Patacca Andrew Wilson David Clarence Sam Sakker Paul Stender DEPUTY ORCHESTRA MANAGER Percussion Christopher Lockhart- Emma in der Maur 4MBS Classic FM Award Allan Watson Smith OPERATIONS MANAGER Celeste Lazarenko Anna Dodgshun Bass Harp YMFA Grant Owen Torr Brett Berthold ASSISTANT ORCHESTRA MANAGER Adrian Tamburini Jenny Druery Celeste Ella Howard James Menzies Stephen Walter DEPUTY ORCHESTRA MANAGER 2011 Opera Awards Mark Lipski Emma In der Maur Adjudicators Flute SENIOR STAGING ASSISTANT Italics indicate Principal Dr Di Bresciani Libby Pring Scott Moon * indicates Associate Peter Coleman-Wright Alistair Howlett Principal Andrea Molino For Opera Australia Piccolo ~ indicates Principal Elizabeth Whitehouse aussing.org.au Diane Berger First Violin CHIEF EXECUTIVE Adrian Collette AM MOST is indebted to Dr Di Bresciani ARTISTIC DIRECTOR and the Board of the YMF Australia Lyndon Terracini for the YMFA Award and to all our ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR sponsors for their generous support Tony Legge of all artists. 2011 Finalists

Naomi Johns 25* soprano, NSW Australia’s Richest Competition For Opera & Classical Singing Emma Moore 23* Featuring the Marianne Mathy Scholarship soprano, NSW

Morgan Pearse 22* bass baritone, NSW

Gérard Schneider 23* tenor, WA

Bryony Williams 22* soprano, NZ

* Age as of 23 June 2011

Tonight’s young singers are already stars Each of these young voices has already participated in months of effort, culminating in tonight’s grand performances. They have had the benefit of being interviewed and heard by eminent professionals from the Australian and international music fraternity.

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Pearse Johns Williams Moore Schneider “Give of your best and after be proud It is enough 2011 Prizes It is everything” Prizes already & Opportunities awarded Marianne Mathy-Frisdane Australia’s Richest Competition For Opera & Classical Singing Featuring the Marianne Mathy Scholarship Ingrid Davidson Award Naomi Johns The IFAC Australian Singing Competition Lisa Gasteen Opera Summer School Prize is Australasia’s richest competition Erika Simons for young opera and classical singers, Guildhall School of Music Philip & Myrtle Foster Memorial Award Marianne Mathy Scholarship Parszos Prize Audience vote prize presented by Sydney featuring the pretigious and The scholarship assists the recipient with a program of study & Drama Award Naomi Johns internationally respected Marianne and/or singing activity. Fees for one year’s study at the Guildhall School Opera House. Sally Lee Prize Mathy Scholarship. The winner of the Scholarship will also receives: in the Post Diploma Vocal Training Course in the Symphony Australia Young academic year 2012/2013. The winner will also Emma Moore Vocalist Award Over the 30 years, more than 2,500 ABC CLASSIC FM PRIZE Studio recording engagement for receive the SHEILA PRIOR AUSTRALIAN OPERA An engagement with a professional Australian Radzyminski Family Prize young singers have participated in the national transmission on ABC Classic FM AUDITIONS COMMITTEE PRIZE and the PHOEBE symphony orchestra, and cash award. Erika Simons Competition for a prize pool exceeding FAYE FRANCO PRIZE IT consultancy and up to six months PATRICK AWARD. Universal Music Australia Prize Tinkler Encouragement Award $2.5 million. service cost for a “classical singer” website Royal Northern College of Music Award Classical CDs & DVDs Caitlin Cassidy This year alone, the prize value for the 2MBS-FM PRIZE Recording Engagement Studio recording Fees for one year’s study at the College in Victorian Opera Prize entire Competition (including the with 2MBS-FM 102.5 to be broadcast on the Australian Manchester in the academic year 2012/2013. Elizabeth Whitehouse Award The winner will also receive the CLARK & Olivia Cranwell Semi-Finals and tonight’s Finals Fine Music Network 12 sessions of vocal coaching, technique and ASSOCIATES PRIZE and the NELL interpretation with soprano Elizabeth Whitehouse New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Award Concert is valued at almost $250,000. LIGHTBOX PHOTOGRAPHIC AWARD Portfolio of PASCALL AWARD. in Germany. The winner will also receive the Bryony Williams publicity photographs HAAS AWARD presented by Music & Opera Mozart-Opera Institute Award Queensland Symphony Orchestra Award EDITORIAL RESOURCES PRIZE Professionally Singers Trust Ltd. The Marianne Mathy Fees for one year’s study at the Mozarteum Claire Candy produced resume University Salzburg in the Post Diploma Opera David Harper Award Scholarship Legend of West Australian Opera Award ORAL HISTORY TAPED interview by oral historian Course at the Mozart-Opera Institute in the Ten lessons with David Harper in Australia Caitlin Cassidy, Joanna Norman The Australian Singing Competition ‘The Mathy’ Diana Ritch will be recorded and retained within the Oral academic year 2012/2013. The winner will also or the UK. evolved from The Marianne Mathy receive an additional subsidy for accommodation and Gérard Schneider ‘The Mathy’ limited History Collection of the National Library of Australia Christine Leaves Award Scholarship, established from a and the WOODWARD FAMILY PRIZE. West Australian Symphony Orchestra Award edition Drago THE MATHY Limited edition Drago Cherina sculpture Thirty hours of publicist consultation, Caitlin Cassidy, Joanna Norman bequest in the will of Marianne Marin Cherina presented by Music & Opera Singers Trust Ltd Nelly Apt Scholarship business and promotional planning over and Mathy-Frisdane, a distinguished bronze statuette Airfares, living expenses and Scholarship to a 12-month period. Gérard Schneider was first awarded attend the International Vocal Arts Institute in singing teacher. David Giles Meditation Award Running Bare Prize to soprano The Handa Prize Israel in July 2012. All Semi-Finalists Rachelle Durkin An audition in Tokyo in 2012. The prize includes A tailored Vedic Meditation course for in 2000. return airfare, accommodation and expenses in Tokyo. Merenda Scholarship each Finalist. If the recipient is successful at the audition, he/she Cash grant to enable the recipient to study the ‘The Mathy’ has Lillie Chiropractic Award Nelly Apt Scholarship will receive a professional engagement in Tokyo with Italian language in Italy. become synonymous A posture and voice control body review return airfare, accommodation and expenses. Announcement with the Marianne Anselmo Colzani Prize for each Finalist. Fees, accommodation, lessons and master Mathy Scholarship, Opera Australia Prize Nelly Apt Scholarship for an instrumentalist classes in the 2012 Budrio Colzani 10-day the featured award Opportunity for all Finalists to attend Emily Sun, violin summer program. within the IFAC rehearsals in Melbourne or Sydney, observing Australian Singing an opera throughout the stages of its production. aussing.org.au Competition.

Adjudicators

Bernadette Cullen National Adjudicator One of Australia’s foremost mezzo sopranos, Bernadette has an extensive international career. She has been a Guest Artist with Opera Australia, Opera Queensland, WA Opera, Victoria Australia’s Richest Competition For Opera & Classical Singing State Opera, MSO, ASO, WASO and SSO. Featuring the Marianne Mathy Scholarship Peter Czornyj The Director of Artistic Planning at the Sydney Symphony, Peter was formerly the Artistic Sydney Opera House Trust Administration of the Cleveland Orchestra. During his extensive career, Peter has worked Cullen Mould Mr Kim Williams AM (Chair) closely with many of today’s most esteemed Ms Catherine Brenner artists, conductors and composers. Rev Dr Arthur Bridge AM Mr Wesley Enoch Dobbs Franks Ms Renata Kaldor AO With an international music career that has Mr Robert Leece AM spanned over 50 years, Dobbs has conducted Ms Sue Nattrass AO over 40 operas as diverse as Bartok’s Dr Tom Parry AM Special 2011 IFAC ASC AM Bluebeard’s Castle, Stravinsky’s Rake’s Progress Mr Leo Schofield Thanks and Gluck’s Orfeo. Dobbs was Music Director Mr Evan Williams AM Adjudicators Peter Alexander of the WA Ballet and for six years Music Director The IFAC Australian Singing David Bainbridge of the Australian Ballet. Executive Management Competition expresses its Amanda Buckworth CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER gratitude to all the Adjudicators Carina Cargill Anthony Legge for their dedication and Richard Evans Assistant Music Director at Opera Australia, Patrick Carrick professionalism. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER John Crawford 2012 IFAC Australian Anthony has conducted Barber of Seville, Claire Spencer Macbeth and Of Mice and Men. He has recorded Owen Chambers Singing Competition Czornyj National Adjudicator CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER two CDs with Chandos accompanying Linda Legge Laura Crocco Bernadette Cullen David Antaw Thursday 25 October Finnie, published The Art of Auditioning Rochelle Dew DIRECTOR, BUILDING Andrew Dixon Sydney Opera House and appeared as a judge on the Channel 4 Finals Operatunity series. DEVELOPMENT & MAINTENANCE Michael Gasson Peter Czornyj Greg McTaggart Dina Gridiger National Adjudicator Lindsay Kearney Stephen Mould Dobbs Franks DIRECTOR, VENUE PARTNERS & SAFETY Jeffrey Black Senior Lecturer in Operatic Studies at the Sydney Anthony Legge Julia Pucci Roderick Lakin Stephen Mould Greg Lenthen UK-based baritone & Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, DIRECTOR, MARKETING, Roderick Lakin Jenny Liu Stephen has worked in opera houses since 1986 COMMUNICATIONS 1983 Mathy Scholarship as a coach, musical assistant and conductor and (non-voting chair) Bridget Patterson & CUSTOMER SERVICES Bruce Pollack recipient has worked with companies in the UK, Germany, Victoria Doidge Austria, Belgium, and USA. Semi Finals Maree Ryan EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SOH PRESENTS Peter Czornyj Tristan Taylor Jonathan Bielski Roderick Lakin Anthony Legge David Terrazas Non-Voting Chair Stephen Mould Adrian Ussher SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE Lilli Usser As Director of Arts for the Royal Over-Seas Franks Lakin Bennelong Point League for almost thirty years, Roderick Lakin Heats GPO Box 4274 has expanded and developed its international NSW – Michael Black, Accommodation has Sydney 2001 NSW arts programme, supporting hundreds of Rowena Cowley been generously talented young professional artists and VIC – Antoinette Halloran, Administration (02) 9250 7111 provided for Bernadette musicians from all over the UK and the David Kram Box Office (02) 9250 7777 Cullen by the Hughenden Commonwealth. He comes tonight directly WA – Marilyn Phillips sydneyoperahouse.com Boutique Hotel. from The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth. Music & Opera Singers Trust The IFAC Australian Singing Competi- tion is proudly administered by Music & Opera Singers Trust (MOST®). MOST promotes excellence in the arts, music, education and community development sectors by creating and managing pro- grammes and activities to recognise and develop creative potential and provide career opportunities for individuals. Since 1982 MOST has contributed mil- lions of dollars in grants, scholarships, tuition, travel, mentoring programmes and other opportunities through their portfolio of activities.

Patron-in-chief GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC Chief Executive Officer Roland E Gridiger Co-ordinators Vivian Zeltzer Ben Oxley Directors Roland E Gridiger (Chair) David Bainbridge Ilana Gridiger Joyce Parszos Dianne Speakman

Music & Opera Singers Trust Ltd Level 4, 67 Castlereagh Street Sydney NSW 2000 T 02 9231 4293 [email protected] mostlyopera.org.au

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