The Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation Newsletter Edition 12 July 2016 DAME JOAN SUTHERLAND 90th BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY LEAH GORDON Canada (35) Lives in Nürnberg where she has been on contract since 2009. She has studied at the Guildhall in London and in Toronto. With vast experience, she is currently performing Leila in Germany and covering Eva at Glyndebourne. YASMINE LEVI-ELLENTUCK Israel/America (33) Lives in Berlin, studied at Brooklyn College, Jerusalem Music Academy and IVAI in Tel Aviv. She has performed numerous roles and will sing Cio-Cio San in 2016 in Israel. KSENIIA MUSLANOVA Russian Federaon (34) Lives in Moscow, studied at the Schnike State Instute of Music and Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Centre for 3 years. She is currently a member of the Moscow Chamber Opera and sung Giorgea and Natasha. ANNA-LOUISE COLE Australia (34) Anna-Louise lives in Sydney, studied in Germany. She has sung numerous roles and will sing Gutrune in the Ring Cycle in Melbourne then take up a scholarship to the Vienna Staatsoper in 2017. A record seventy-five entrants entered this year’s Bel Canto Award. The standard was certainly the highest the compeon has seen in its six year history with a number of singers just missing out on a place in the Final. Audions were held in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Vienna, London and New York. Every singer was interviewed and videoed to assist the judges in each city, and the ulmate decision. Fiſty-five sopranos from eighteen countries entered this year’s compeon. Thirty-three were heard live and interviewed. Here are the top five sopranos for the Elizabeth Connell Prize Final. MARI WYN WILLIAMS Wales (34) Lives in Cardiff, studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Wales Int. Academy of Voice. Currently an Alvarez young arst for Garsington Opera, UK where she is covering the role of Elera in Idomeneo. ALEXANDRA FLOOD Soprano (26) The winner of numerous awards, studied at Melbourne University and Bayerische Hochshule in Munich. In 2016 she will sing Blonde in Bregenz and Violetta for Opera Front in New York. TABATHA McFADYEN Soprano (26) Studied at the Qld Conservatorium and Mozarteum in Salzburg. She has won numerous awards and is an accomplished performer. She sang Musea in New Zealand this year. BRONWYN DOUGLASS Mezzo soprano (27) Studied at the ANU in Canberra and Griffith University, Qld. She is currently a Melba Opera Trust Scholar for 2016 and recently sang Suzuki for Opera Projects in Sydney. ALASDAIR KENT Tenor (29) Studied at WAAPA, San Francisco’s Merola Programme and for three years at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia where he recently performed Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi. JAMES OLDS Bass Baritone (30) Studied at the Guildhall School of Music and did the Lieder Programme at the Franz Schubert-Institut in Austria. He recently performed the Officer in Barber of Seville for OA and is part of their extra chorus. EMMA MOORE Soprano (29) Studied at the Sydney Conservatorium and Die Universität der Künste in Berlin. She won the 2015 R. Strauss Comp in Munich and will give recitals in 2016 at the Int. Hugo-Wolf Akademie, Stuttgart.
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The Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation Newsletter
Edition 12
July 2016
DAME JOAN SUTHERLAND
90th BIRTHDAY
ANNIVERSARY
LEAH GORDON Canada (35)
Lives in Nürnberg where she has been on contract since 2009. She
has studied at the Guildhall in London and in Toronto. With vast
experience, she is currently performing Leila in Germany and covering Eva at Glyndebourne.
YASMINE LEVI-ELLENTUCK Israel/America (33)
Lives in Berlin, studied at
Brooklyn College, Jerusalem Music Academy and IVAI in Tel Aviv. She has performed numerous roles and will sing Cio-Cio San in 2016 in Israel.
KSENIIA MUSLANOVA Russian Federation (34)
Lives in Moscow, studied at the
Schnittke State Institute of Music and Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Centre for 3 years. She is
currently a member of the Moscow Chamber Opera and sung Giorgetta and Natasha.
ANNA-LOUISE COLE Australia (34)
Anna-Louise lives in Sydney, studied in Germany. She has sung numerous roles and will sing Gutrune in the Ring Cycle in Melbourne then take up a
scholarship to the Vienna Staatsoper in 2017.
A record seventy-five entrants entered this year’s Bel Canto Award. The standard was certainly the highest the competition has seen in its six year history with a number of singers just missing out on a place in the Final. Auditions were held in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Vienna, London and New York. Every singer was interviewed and videoed to assist the judges in each city, and the ultimate decision.
Fifty-five sopranos from eighteen countries entered this year’s competition. Thirty-three were heard live and interviewed. Here are the top five sopranos for the Elizabeth Connell Prize Final.
MARI WYN WILLIAMS Wales (34)
Lives in Cardiff, studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music
and Wales Int. Academy of Voice. Currently an Alvarez young artist for Garsington
Opera, UK where she is covering the role of Elettra in Idomeneo.
ALEXANDRA FLOOD Soprano (26)
The winner of numerous
awards, studied at Melbourne University and Bayerische Hochshule in Munich. In 2016 she will
sing Blonde in Bregenz and Violetta for Opera Front in
New York.
TABATHA McFADYEN Soprano (26)
Studied at the Qld
Conservatorium and Mozarteum in Salzburg. She has won numerous
awards and is an accomplished performer.
She sang Musetta in New Zealand this year.
BRONWYN DOUGLASS Mezzo soprano (27)
Studied at the ANU in Canberra and Griffith University, Qld. She is
currently a Melba Opera Trust Scholar for 2016
and recently sang Suzuki for Opera Projects in
Sydney.
ALASDAIR KENT Tenor (29)
Studied at WAAPA, San
Francisco’s Merola Programme and for three years at the
Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia where he
recently performed Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi.
JAMES OLDS Bass Baritone (30)
Studied at the Guildhall
School of Music and did the Lieder Programme at the Franz Schubert-Institut in
Austria. He recently performed the Officer in
Barber of Seville for OA and is part of their extra chorus.
EMMA MOORE Soprano (29)
Studied at the Sydney
Conservatorium and Die Universität der Künste in Berlin. She won the 2015
R. Strauss Comp in Munich and will give recitals in
2016 at the Int. Hugo-Wolf Akademie, Stuttgart.
A Message from the
Artistic Director
Welcome to the twelfth edition of the Bel Canto newsletter.
THE YEAR TO DATE The first half of 2016 has been anything but relaxing. 44 singers signed up for
our Masterclass series with Marie-Claire, Bernadette Cullen, Glenn Winslade
and myself. Within three days of announcing the classes the positions were
full with waiting lists for each class. It was a wonderful response which both
singers and masters seemed to enjoy. Preparation for the rest of the year
PHILHARMONIA CHOIRS PRIZES for the BCA Our good friends at Melbourne Opera and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs have
generously offered a performance prize for two of our Bel Canto Finalists. The
lucky winners will be cast in a suitable performance in the 2017 seasons.
Melbourne Opera and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs are both vital training
grounds for young singers and we thank them both for this opportunity. _________________________________________________________________________ Excellence, Education and Encouragement! 131 Cash Scholarships, 60 Study Grants, 128 Recipients
JS Society Scholarship & Grants $159,536
JSRB Foundation Scholarships & Grants $340,550
JSRB Foundation other prizes $95,200
Grand Total including the 2016 competition $595,286
Since 2011 the Foundation has provided 52 scholarships and 9 study grants. We
are very proud of this record but know we can do more. We still crave a rehearsal
space of our own with a grand piano where we can hold educational events
but in the meantime we rely on the generosity of others like the Sydney
Philharmonia Choirs and Opera Australia. If you can help, let us know.
TWO NEW MAJOR SPONSORS ANNOUNCED Board Member Alan Jones AO has secured two vital new
sponsors for the next three years. Walker Corporation Pty
Limited has agreed to donate $50,000 per year for the Bel
Canto Award prize and Michael and Shanny Crouch will
part sponsor the $15,000 Richard Bonynge Award 2nd prize
by donating $7,000 per year. Lady Potter has also
generously donated $10,000 toward this year’s awards. All
donations go toward the education of singers. Thank you
Walker Corp, Lady Potter AC, Mr & Mrs Crouch and all of this year’s
sponsors including Paul Ferris, Mr & Mrs G Sanderson, Mr & Mrs D Kinnon,
DECCA, Universal Music, Solti Accademia, HPAF, Tait Memorial Trust,
Melbourne Opera and of course Maestro Richard Bonynge. THANK YOU!
THE COMPETITION SO FAR! The response we received for this year’s Bel Canto Award
was overwhelming. A record 75 singers entered the
competition and were heard and interviewed across
seven cities. Hearing these singers, and the 34 Elizabeth
Connell singers who made it through to Round 2, was
fascinating and at times thrilling. The judges assisting me
were singers I greatly admire, all highly experienced and wonderful collaborators.
I would personally like to thank the legendary Christa Ludwig (pictured),
Dame Anne Evans and Ruth Falcon, plus legendary locals Margaret Haggart,
Rosemary Gunn, Patricia Lewis, Margaret Russell and Bernadette Cullen for
providing their time and expertise to this process. I am also delighted that
soprano Marilyn Richardson will join our panel for the Finals again this year.
_______________________________________________________________________________ JOAN SUTHERLAND GALA DINNER DATE CHANGE Now on Thursday 25 August, 2016 we are especially thrilled to have
Maestro Bonynge in attendance this year. International soprano
sensation Pumeza Matshikiza, Australia’s Eurovision entrant Dami Im and
flautist Jane Rutter will all be performing on the night. The discounted
price for Foundation supporters and their friends is $175 per person.
You’d be mad to miss it!
Inspiring and developing our opera singers for the future!
JOAN SUTHERLAND
BEL CANTO GALA DINNER
Thursday 25 August, 2016
at 6.30pm, Le Montage
Guest of Honour
Richard Bonynge AC CBE Starring
Pumeza Matshikiza, Dami Im,
Jane Rutter and more...
Bookings: (02) 9817 4919
Soprano Laura King (right) with judge Dame
Felicity Lott, has won the 2016 Mietta Song
Competition accompanied by Jonathan
Wilson, Valda Wilson’s cousin. 2016 BCA
Finalists Alexandra Flood and Alasdair Kent
have both been performing at Wolf Trap Opera
in the USA over the summer. Alasdair is also one
of nine finalists for the 2017 Paris Opera
Competition and came second in the Licia
Albanese-Puccini Foundation International Vocal
Competition in NYC in April. Sylvie Humphries has won Opera Foundation
Australia’s AIMS Graz Award and received a scholarship from the Hochschule
der Künste Bern to continue her studies at the Swiss Opera Studio. Mezzo
Fiona McArdle is studying with Jane Eaglen at the New England Conservatory
in Boston and Sarah Kemeny represented Australia in this year’s International
Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in South Africa. Counter tenor
Nicholas Tolputt has won the Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship, Iain
Henderson the Noosa Federation of Arts Dame Joan Sutherland Award and
Benson Wilson the Lexus Song Quest in New Zealand.
Additional Bel Canto Prizes Awarded in 2016
Left to right: Zoe Drummond is the recipient of the 2016 Megan Evans
OAM Encouragement Award sponsored by the Sydney Savage Club, valued
at $1,000. Timothy Newton, Imogen-Faith Malfitano and Damian
Arnold will each receive a $500 encouragement award.
Dates for your Diary Saturday 13 August, 2pm Richard Bonynge Masterclass - Opera Centre
Thursday 25 August 6.30pm Joan Sutherland Gala Dinner - Le Montage
Thursday 1 September, 3.00pm Preliminary Final of the Bel Canto Award
and Elizabeth Connell Prize - Independent Theatre, North Sydney
Saturday, 3 September, 4pm 6th Annual Joan Sutherland & Richard
Bonynge Bel Canto Award and 3rd Annual Elizabeth Connell Prize
Final - Sydney Conservatorium
Sunday 6 November, 3pm - Joan Sutherland 90th Birthday Concert
- Independent Theatre, North Sydney
2015 Bel Canto Award winner Isabella Moore and
DECCA Award winner Morgan Balfour have both
received scholarships to attend the prestigious San
Francisco Conservatory under the tutelage of Cesar
Ulloa who is Julie Adams’ teacher. Since winning the
2015 ECP, Julie won the Kirsten Flagstaff Award from
the George London Foundation competition, first
prize in the Igor Gorin
Memorial Foundation
Competition and is now
represented by IMG. Isabella
was at the Georg Solti Accademia in Tuscany working
with Angela Gheorghiu (top right) and Richard
Bonynge. Counter tenor David Hansen sang Julius
Caesar in Dresden earlier in the year followed by
Mozart’s Mitridate Re di Ponte (seen left) at La
Monnaie De Munt in Brussels. Margaret Plummer
sang Charlotte in Werther on tour with the Vienna
Staatsoper to Oman and went on as Fyodor in Boris
Godunov. Daniel Macey has stepped in to sing the
Count in the Hawaii Festival’s production of The
Marriage of Figaro in July. Whilst singing her first
Liu in Turandot as part of the Handa Opera on the
Harbour, Eva Kong (left), met up with her friend
and opera lover, cook Maggie Beer. Tenor
Roberto Abate (left), has had a very busy year thus
far in the UK. He’s sung Samson for Palace Opera,
Fenton in Falstaff and Gabriele in Simon
Boccanegra for Fulham Opera, Rodolfo for Regents
Opera and will perform Gustave in Un Ballo in
maschera in October for Burry Port Opera. Valda
Wilson returns to Sydney to perform the title role
in Pinchgut Opera’s production of Theodora in
Nov/Dec at the City Recital Hall having just sung
Romilda in Xerxes in Germany. Daniel Sumegi will
appear once again in Opera Australia’s Ring Cycle
in Melbourne in November. In April, soprano Emma
Moore was invited by legendary mezzo Brigitte
Fassbaender (both left), to attend the Lied
Academy at the Heidelberg Frühling. Emma was
involved in a number of masterclasses and
performances as part of the Festival. Lauren Fagan
will sing Donna Anna and Morgan Pearse Don
Giovanni for the Verbier Festival Academy’s
production in July. Helen Sherman will sing her
first Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier for Opera
North’s 2016/17 season. Anna-Louise Cole has
won the 2016 Vienna State Opera Award, Stacey
Alleaume the AOAC Dame Joan Sutherland
Scholarship and Morgan Balfour the Sheila Prior
Award. Marlena Devoe and Matthew Reardon
have been singing for the Tait Memorial Trust in
London. Marlena has also made her debut as
Violetta (left) with Clonter Opera in the UK. BCA
scholarship winners, Rachel Bate (left) and
Rebecca Moret shared the title role in Opera
Projects production of Suor Angelica in Sydney in
May and Damian Arnold won the
Cowra Eisteddfod Scholarship
and Aria. Phoebe-Celeste
Humphreys and James Olds
(right) have finally tied the
knot. Richard Bonynge,
who recently accepted an
award in Paris for his
recording of Massenet songs with Sally Silver, is thrilled
to be a great grandfather. His granddaughter, Natasha
Wouters gave birth to a baby boy in April as did Naomi Johns in May.
WHAT ARE THEY UP TO?
RICHARD BONYNGE MASTERCLASS Saturday 13 August, 2pm
Level 2, Studio 1, The Opera Centre, 480 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills
Free to Foundation Members/Donors General Public: $10
Dame Joan Sutherland’s 90th Birthday Concert
A Celebration starring: Valda Wilson, Rachel Bate, Damian
Arnold, James Olds, Bronwyn Douglass, Imogen-Faith Malfitano,
Andrew Williams, Sarah Kemeny and more. With Bradley Gilchrist
Joan Sutherland’s 89th birthday “Love Live Forever” Concert
The 90th Birthday Book Project
To commemorate Dame Joan Sutherland’s 90th birthday year, the Foundation will be
printing a 52 page limited edition 90th Birthday Anniversary Tribute book filled with
testimonials from past scholarship winners from the Society and Foundation. We felt it
important in this 90th year to reproduce in print
the thoughts of some of our winners, including
production photos of their achievements, to
create a photographic archive. The result is a
colourful historical record containing over fifty singers’ quotes, hundreds of photos, including over
fifty photos of Dame Joan in many of her roles, biographies, a timeline, full list of scholarship
winners, event photos, important letters and even Dame Joan’s Christmas Pudding Recipe. The
soft covered A4 book will have a limited print run but will be available to anyone interested in
purchasing it for $20 at the November concert. RESERVE YOUR COPY TODAY!
BOOK OFFER
This stunning coffee table book is available through the Foundation at the special price of just $35 plus P&H. Order yours today by contacting us on; (02) 9817 4919/4861 2440.
In Memoriam
For those who may not have heard, Foundation
supporters Mavis Johnston, David Palmer (below
right), Robine Wilson, Rosemary Samuelson,
Michael Tesoriero (below far right) and former
Society Secretary Margaret “Peg” Taylor (right)
are no longer with us. The
world was shocked to hear
of the passing of counter
tenor Brian Asawa (49) who
sang Tolomeo in OA’s Julius
Ceasar. Australian greats,
soprano Elsie Morison AM
died on 5 April at the age
of 91, legendary baritone
Ronald Maconaghie AM (left)
passed away in May and
British Wagnerian tenor
Alberto Remedios in June.
Mezzo, Sarah Kemeny working with
Bernadette Cullen in the April Masterclass
DIVA ACCOMMODATION AND HELP REQUIRED! Our visiting divas for this year’s competition are in need of a home. Host families will need to feed, house and chauffeur their diva
around for the week. Each host will be given complimentary tickets to the Preliminary and Final + VIP party and a programme.
If you can give a diva a home or would be interested in joining our committee, please call Fiona Janes on 040 202 4118.