Kicking it off with something a little different:
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s first big opera production of the year is a comedic double bill: Menotti’s The Old Man and the Thief will be setting the stage for Mozart’s The Impresario. While the two works are centuries apart, musical director and Chair of Opera Productions Stephen Mould says: “they both share a similar, mischievous thread that work beautifully together in a live radio opera.”
Set and lighting designers Elizabeth Gadsby and Alexander Berlage will recreate the world inside a 1930s radio studio, where the audience becomes part of the set as they play the part of a live studio audience. Sally Blackwood will direct the cast of 17, accompanied by the Sydney Con orchestra.
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s first 2014 opera will be presented over four afternoon and evening performances in May, kicking off on Saturday 17 May. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for concession, and you can book here: http://www.cityrecitalhall.com/ or phone 1300 797 118.
Last week, the Commission of Audit recommended that funding for the Community Broadcasting Program be scrapped. The Federal Budget is set to be released on Tuesday, and the results could potentially force community radio stations off air. You can help protect community radio stations by emailing the Treasurer now. Community radio provides content for many different communities that might not be represented on air otherwise. For more information, check out http://committocommunityradio.org.au/
Gurrumul and Delta Goodrem are judging Sing Loud, part of National Reconciliation Week. This song competition aims to bring people together to make music and create a collection of songs and music for National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June this year). There’s $2000 of prize money to win, as well as the fuzzy feeling of contributing to NRW.
We all love Bigsound, and they’ve released their first industry speaker line-up, including Australian names like Laneway Festival’s Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio, Penny Drop’s Emily York and Ben Marshall of the Sydney Opera House. They’re joined by international guests from America, the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland and Singapore. The full list is below.