January 13, 2011

A hat tipped to Rigoletto...

5. Melb Symphony Orchestra: featured brothers Stanley (violinist) and Daniel Dodds. Daniel is a concertmaster so he was the MSO’s conductor at the July performance at Bendigo’s venerable old Capital Theatre.
We’re also regulars at the MSO live annual summer concerts under the stars at the Myer Music Bowl each February. Bring your picnic baskets, bottles of wine, friends and blankets and relax on the grass.

4. Simon Tedeschi: pianist. Tedeschi alternately played classical and jazz pieces, interspersed with commentary as he stood up from his stool to explain what it was he was about to play.
Part of the Capital Theatre’s Soul Food season.

3. Burke and Wills, 150 Years On: on August 20th, 2010 (exactly a century and a half later) at the City of Greater Bendigo Town Hall, Prof Brian Matthews entertained a special literary luncheon with an address about the ill-fated explorers.
After leaving Melbourne’s Royal Park on Monday  20 August 20 1860 the expedition reached the Bendigo area where stops included Mia Mia, Knowsley and Barnadown.
Alfred Howitt’s rescue party, which saved 22-year-old John King, camped under a large gumtree at Sedgwick on the outer edges of Bendigo in late 1861 on their return journey to Melbourne.

2. Pavel Haas String Quartet: four young Prague-based musicians – two violinists, a viola player and cellist. Took their name from Czech composer Pavel Haas who died in Auschwitz concentration camp in 1944.
The quartet played three pieces, including one by Australian composer Paul Stanhope. It had been specially commissioned for Musica Viva Australia.

1. Opera Australia’s Rigoletto: in a stunning performance at Melbourne’s Concert Hall late in 2010, we were enthralled by the tale of the Duke of Mantua’s court jester.

Verdi’s much-loved cast of characters filled the vast theatre with exciting arias and ensembles.
Not quite as memorable as 2009’s Aida by the same company, but thrilling nevertheless.

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