(Photo credit: Cassandra Hannagan) In a podcast for Pinchgut Opera’s latest production, Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s opera “Médée,” Artistic Director Erin Helyard describes the first interpreter of the title role in 1693, Marie le Rochois, as “the greatest actress in all of France.” “Actress.” Not singer? But perhaps the designation provides a clue as to how to appreciate this early French baroque {…}
(Photo credit: Brett Boardman) Something happens at the end of Pinchgut Opera’s “Platée” that lifts this production from brilliant to moving. It’s a brainwave of director Neil Armfield’s that should be concealed from those who may yet see this production – the Australian premiere season of Rameau’s 1745 opera – at Sydney’s Angel Place Recital Hall or yet purchase the {…}
The Pinchgut Opera in Australia has announced its 2021 season. The season opens with “Vespers” by Monteverdi featuring Erin Helyard as conductor and keyboard player. Performance Dates: March 20-25, 2021 Myriam Arbouz, Keara Donohoe, Max Riebl, Nicholas Jones, David Greco, and Andrew O’Connor star in a concert dedicated to Purcell and Charpentier. Performance Dates: Sept. 11-14, 2021 “The Love of Apollo and Dafne” {…}
Pinchgut Opera has announced a new podcast series entitled “Baroque Banter.” The series dives into the world of baroque music, providing listeners with an opportunity to engage with early opera in a truly unique manner. “I think a lot of people are a little mystified when they approach early opera—it is just so different from the more familiar opera we know {…}
Pinchgut Opera is set to present the first Australian performances of Vivaldi’s “Farnace.” Performances are set for Dec. 4-10, 2019 at the City Recital Hall Sydney. The cast will include Christopher Lowrey, Helen Sherman, Jacqueline Dark, Taryn Fiebig, and Max Riebl, among others. Erin Helyard will conduct a production directed by Mark Gaal. “‘Farnace’ is characterized by women who make moral {…}
(Credit: Henning Ross, Sony Classical) Countertenor Valer Sabadus will be performing in Australia for the first time in collaboration with Pinchgut Opera on August 25, 2019. The recital will take place at the City Recital Hall in Sydney and will feature the Orchestra of Antipodes under the musical direction of Erin Heylard. It will feature music by Handel, Caldara, Hasse, {…}
Sydney-based Pinchgut Opera became the first Australian company to win an International Opera Award when it was recently awarded best “Rediscovered Work” for Hasse’s 1740 “Artaserse” at this year’s Awards in London. OperaWire talked to the organization’s Artistic Director, Erin Helyard about the company’s beginnings, upcoming projects, and future endeavors. . OperaWire: What is Pinchgut? What is its brief and {…}
Monteverdi’s “The Return of Ulysses” will be showcased at the Pinchgut Opera on June 13-19, 2019. The production will feature tenor Fernando Guimaraes as the legendary hero. He previously performed in Australia Brandenburg Orchestra’s “Handel: Heaven.” He was nominated for a Grammy in 2015 for his work in “The Return of Ulysses.” The production will also feature mezzo-soprano Catherine Carby {…}
Pinchgut Opera and Vivica Genaux are teaming up for two major productions in Sydney and Melbourne. Per a press release, the mezzo will appear in Sydney to perform in the first-ever Australian production of Hasse’s “Artaserse,” before heading to Melbourne for a recital of baroque composers for one night only. The mezzo will be joined by countertenors David Hansel and {…}
Baroque opera’s popularity is growing every year. You’ve felt it. I’ve felt it. I think everyone in the opera world is feeling it. Everywhere you look, major companies are putting on more works by Handel or Monteverdi. And if those big names aren’t producing them, then you are starting to see smaller companies take on the responsibility of presenting some {…}
The Pinchgut Opera has announced its 2019 season, which will feature two operas, two concerts, and performances in two different cities. The company is billed as Australia’s only Baroque Opera Company, specializing in staging early opera since 2002. This season, the company is set to showcase Monteverdi’s “The Return of Ulysses,” which will be directed by Chas Rader-Shieber and will star {…}