Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program

Last week, LGNOP artists and public attendees were treated to a 'listening room' full of recordings that shaped Felice Venanzoni's career + life! Thank you Felice for sharing such great music and stories. 🎼🎶

Here are some (not all) of the 2024 LGNOP family members!

We’re so fortunate to bring together such a passionate group of individuals who all share a love for Opera and Art Song.

LGNOP SPOTLIGHT - Stuart Maunder AM
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We have the incomparable Stuart Maunder AM back as director of the 2024 LGNOP Opera Scenes!

For the last forty years, Stuart has been directing musical theatre and opera in Australia. He joined The Australian Opera as Stage Manager in 1978, becoming a Resident Director in 1981. In 1992 he joined The Royal Opera (UK) as a Staff Director whilst continuing to direct in Australia, UK, France and the USA.

In 1999 Stuart was appointed Artistic Administrator of Opera Australia, becoming Executive Producer 2004-2008. His OA productions include Tales of Hoffmann, Manon, Gypsy Princess, Don Pasquale, My Fair Ladyand A Little Night Music. From 2014 to 2018 Stuart was General Director of New Zealand Opera where he directed Candide, Tosca, Sweeney Todd and The Mikado.

From 2018 to 2023 Stuart was Artistic Director of State Opera of South Australia where his productions included Carmen, The Cunning Little Vixen, The Mikado, Boheme on the Beach, The Turn of The Screw and Voss.

Stuart was appointed Artistic Director of Victorian Opera in 2023. His productions have included La Rondine, English Eccentrics, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music and Cunning Little Vixen.

A specialist in the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, Stuart has directed productions of the canon in England, America, and Australia. His Trial by Jury, HMS Pinafore and Pirates of Penzance have been televised nationally on ABC TV. In 2022 he directed The Gondoliers for Scottish Opera, later broadcast on BBC. Stuart helmed the first Australian Festival of Gilbert and Sullivan in Adelaide in 2023.
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Don’t miss the opportunity to watch Stuart’s work come to life this Saturday at 7:30 PM in the Conservatorium Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium.

Tickets are selling fast—grab yours now! Details are in our bio.

Tickets:
https://www.qtix.com.au/whats-on/2024/qcgu-opera-scenes

Last Friday, we were thrilled to host a masterclass on recitative, led by the brilliant Felice Venanzoni from Frankfurt Oper. It was an incredible evening for both our audience and the LGNOP Artists!

Don't miss the chance to see these singers in action during Opera Scenes this Saturday at 7:30 PM at the Conservatorium Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium.

Ticket details are in our bio!

Directed by the incredible Stuart Maunder AM, this performance is a must-see!

12 of Australia’s emerging opera talent will present what they have learned during the 3-week Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program.

Opera Scenes Details:
📅 Saturday, 14 December, 7:30pm
📍 Conservatorium Theatre - Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

Don’t wait—tickets are selling fast!
https://www.qtix.com.au/whats-on/2024/qcgu-opera-scenes

On Saturday night, the 2024 LGNOP participants performed in Elsewhere: Songs About the Mediterranean Where the Oranges Grow.

With wine, charcuterie boards, and a great collection of songs, it was a night to remember. Congratulations to all the artists for preparing this program in just five days!

Last evening, LGNOP artists and public attendees had the opportunity to enjoy a selection of favourite recordings chosen by Sharolyn Kimmorley AM.

Notable voices included Leontyne Price, and of course, Joan Sutherland. A big thank you to Sharolyn for her educational and entertaining commentary!

If this sparks your interest, join us for a 2nd Listening Room with Felice Venanzoni next Wednesday!

Listening Room with Felice Venanzoni Details: Wednesday 4th December, 5:30pm
Red Note Studios
Queensland Conservatorium
Griffith University

RSVP via the link below:
https://lisagasteennationaloperaprogram.com/public-events-rsvp

LGNOP SPOTLIGHT - Jennifer Enchelmaier - Coach

Jennifer is a sought-after collaborative pianist and vocal coach on sessional staff at the Queensland Conservatorium and UQ, lecturing French language subjects for singers, repetiteur for the post-graduate opera class at the Conservatorium, as well as accompanying instrumental students across both institutions.

Jennifer performed at the 2022 Newcastle Music Festival with the acclaimed violist Patricia Pollett. A “sympathetic and conscientious interpreter” (Clive O’Connell) her recording of Light in Dark, the complete solo works of Australian composer Tom Henry, was featured in ABC Classic FM’s 2023 new releases.

Jennifer studied with Beryl Sedivka at the Tasmanian Conservatorium, and following studies in France with Cécile Ousset and Odile Poisson, was awarded a Premier Prix with distinction at the Conservatoire de Nice in 2003. Jennifer was a finalist at the 2006 Premio Fausto Zadra International piano competition in Italy.

She has been pianist for Scottish Voices, freelanced for Glasgow University, Scottish Opera’s education department, The Melba Opera Trust and Victorian Opera, as well as working at the VCA and Melbourne Conservatorium as an accompanist and lecturer in French and German for singers. Jennifer has been invited to adjudicate and give a piano workshop for the Tasmanian Music Teachers Association.

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We are so happy to welcome Jennifer to the LGNOP family for the first time in 2024!

JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF WINE, FOOD, AND ART SONG! 🍊
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Performance Details
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Date: Saturday 30 November 2024
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Venue: Opera Space, Queensland Conservatorium
140 Grey Street, South Brisbane, 4101
Tickets: $45.00 ($25 for students, $35 for concession card holders)

Tickets include a free glass of wine and light food

Get tickets on the QTIX website:
https://www.qtix.com.au/whats-on/2024/qcgu-opera-scenes

Listening Room with Sharolyn Kimmorley AM!

Virtually no one else in Australia has been more
indelibly associated with the opera industry in the last
few decades than Sharolyn Kimmorley, nor has anyone
been quite so tireless in their nurturing of young
singers.

For the first edition of our new series "Listening
Room", join us as Sharolyn presents some of her
favourite recordings and talks about how they have
influenced her own development, or are representative
of her beliefs about what constitutes good singing - and good music.
Expect strong opinions,
thought-provoking words from one who has heard it
all, and some really good recordings!

To RSVP for this lecture, click the link below or email
[email protected].

Link to RSVP:
https://lisagasteennationaloperaprogram.com/public-events-rsvp

LGNOP Spotlight: Sharolyn Kimmorley AM - Coach

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After studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sharolyn Kimmorley joined the Music Staff of The Australian Opera and has assisted in the preparation of a vast range of works with many distinguished singers and conductors.

In 1985 she became Principal Répétiteur for The Australian Opera and in 1987 was appointed Head of Music Staff. From 1994 to 1999 she was the company's Artistic Administrator, following which she was Opera Australia's Director of Music Administration until June 2003. Sharolyn Kimmorley is regarded as one of Australia’s finest vocal coaches and accompanists.

She has recorded for ABC Classics, taken part in chamber music concerts and accompanied some of the world's most distinguished recitalists including Barbara Bonney, Ian Bostridge, Sir Bryn Terfel, and Sir Thomas Allen.

In January 2009 Sharolyn became a member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her work as an accompanist and the nurturing and mentoring of emerging artists. Recently, Sharolyn was appointed as a Board Member of Victorian Opera.

Sharolyn is currently Artistic Manager and Artist Advisor to the Melba Opera Trust.

We are so excited to have Sharolyn on board this year for the Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program!

Only 10 Days to Go!
ELSEWHERE - Songs About the Mediterranean: Where the Oranges Grow

🍷Tickets include a complimentary glass of wine and nibbles.

🎫 Students can enjoy $25 tickets to all 2024 LGNOP performances, including this one!

Don’t miss this chance to experience the future of opera and classical voice in Australia!

Date: Saturday 30 November 2024
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Venue: Opera Space, Queensland Conservatorium

For more info, visit our website. Get your tickets at: https://www.qtix.com.au/whats-on/2024/qcgu-elsewhere-songs-about-the-mediterranean-where-the-oranges-grow