Jewels of the Bel Canto – Elena Xanthoudakis, Catherine Carby, Richard Bonynge, Royal Northern Sinfonia

The Tait Memorial Trust are thrilled to announce the launch of a new recording by Tait Awardee, Elena Xanthoudakis, and the great Australian master of Bel Canto, Richard Bonynge. Released by Signum Records the CD will be officially launched in March 2014 generously supported by the Borletti Buitoni Trust. Please watch the attached video

Elena Xanthoudakis, Soprano - Jewels of the Bel Canto Conducted by Richard Bonynge Catherine Carby, Mezzo Soprano. Royal Northern Sinfonia
Elena Xanthoudakis, Soprano – Jewels of the Bel Canto Conducted by Richard Bonynge
Catherine Carby, Mezzo Soprano. Royal Northern Sinfonia

2008 Tait Prize winner, Elena Xanthoudakis was nominated for a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award in 2011 and is a ‘Borletti-Buitoni Trust artist’. The BBT and Signum Records have come together to present Elena in a solo recital disc of ‘Bel Canto’ arias called ‘Jewels of the Bel Canto’ with the Royal Northern Sinfonia and Maestro Richard Bonynge. Jewels of the Bel Canto’ is for release April 1st 2014 and also features special guest artist, Australian Mezzo-soprano Catherine Carby, as Alisa in Lucia.

The process of making this CD involved Elena coaching with Maestro Bonynge in his home in Switzerland which were also supported by the Tait Memorial Trust.

More info about Elena here

Five new singers to join the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme in September 2014 < News – Royal Opera House

Lauren Fagan, Soprano

Thrilled to be able to announce that 2013 Tait Awardee, Lauren Fagan has been offered a place in the Royal Opera House, Jette Parker Young Artists Programme to begin in September 2014. The news is even sweeter as two other young Australian singers have also been offered a place; Tenor, Sam Sakker and Baritone, Samuel Johnson. Congratulations to you all

 

Five new singers to join the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme in September 2014 < News – Royal Opera House.

A golden night for singing

Last night two Tait awardees; Lauren Fagan, Soprano 2013 and Lauren Zolezzi, Soprano 2012 sang the lead roles in the Guildhall School of Music & Drama double bill at the Silk Street Theatre, The Barbican.

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Lauren Fagan, Soprano singing the Countess, The Marriage of Figaro 2012

Lauren Fagan appeared first in Debussy’s l’enfant prodigue. Her singing was of the highest standard, ravishing tone and an impeccable technique. Her performance as the despairing Mother was full of pathos…lovely. Lauren displayed a maturity of performance not often seen in student productions. We look forward to hearing her sing again in a TMT concert in 2014. Read more about Lauren here

Lauren Zolezzi stole the show in the second opera performed last night, Donizetti’s, Francesca di Foix. Glittering top notes, easy production and a stage presence that was simply divine. Earlier in the year Lauren sang in the first concert of the Trust series at the Foundling Museum, London and gave this interview

All in all it was a golden night for the Trust. Thrilling for us at the Tait Memorial Trust to see Lauren Fagan and Lauren Zolezzi performing to such a high standard in one of the most prestigious music schools in the world.

We are very grateful for the steadfast and loyal; support we receive from our many donors. Last night was their triumph.

Lauren Zolezzi, Soprano
Lauren Zolezzi, Soprano
Initially stepping onto the stage as a young ballerina, Australian born soprano Lauren Zolezzi has now moved into the world of opera and is at the outset of an exciting career.

In September 2012, Lauren took up her scholarship on the Opera Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London under the tutelage of Susan Waters. Before that, Lauren completed her Master of Arts (Preparatory Opera) with Distinction and scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music, London. Her musical training alongside previous ballet training as well as her study of the Italian language, has led to a well-rounded performer who manages to capture the attention of audiences internationally.

Lauren has been most successful in many singing competitions and scholarships, having won over one hundred awards and scholarships over the years. Recently she won the National Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Scholarship in Australia. Lauren also placed first in Sydney Eisteddfod open age Oratorio and Russian Song sections as well as the Lieder and Oratorio Sections (21-25 yrs).  She placed 3rd in both the Female Voices and the Operatic Aria Sections. Other scholarships and prizes include The Sainsbury Award at the Royal Academy of Music and The Marion Macaulay Bequest Scholarship for overseas study from the University of Sydney.

Lauren is an extremely busy performer both in the UK and Australia. Roles include Armida Rinaldo, Drusilla L’Incoronazione di Poppea, Despina Cosi’ fan tutte and Journalist 1 The Last King of Scotland, The Princess L’enfant et les sortilèges, Norina Don Pasquale, Sophie Der Rosenkavalier, Jano Jenufa, Melisande Pelleas et Melisande and Barbarina The Little Green Swallow (Dove) in Guildhall Opera Scenes.  She also performed the role of Barbarina Le Nozze di Figaro (GSMD) in February 2013 and covered the role of Susanna as well as receiving a solo recital of artsong at the Foundling Museum in London.

Before arriving in the UK she sang as soloist for the Australian ‘Opera and Arts Support Group’ soiree in Sydney Australia. During the 2008 World Youth Day celebrations, she sang to great acclaim as the featured soloist at the Evening Vigil liturgy with Pope Benedict XVI, held at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney. She was also featured soprano in a concert of excerpts from The Messiah at St Mary’s Cathedral in December 2008. Lauren was invited by the Honorary John Aquilina to perform at the National European Day ball held at Government House in 2008 to an audience of foreign representatives.

Lauren’s past featured operatic roles have included Naiad Ariadne auf Naxos and Ellen Lakme’ (Academy Opera Scenes). She also played the title role of Carmen in ‘Carmen – The Musical’ at the State Theatre and a member of the chorus for Dead Man Walking – The Opera at the Lyric Theatre in 2007. She partook in all of the Mid-Summer Operas held at the Conservatorium of Music from 2005-2008, in all of which she featured as a soloist performing roles such as Virtu’ L’Incoronazione di Poppea and Papagena Die Zauberflöte.

Lauren’s continued development is generously supported by the Tait Memorial Trust, the Opera and Arts Support Group Australia, The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers, the Worshipful Company of Barbers and the Australian Government through the Australian Council of the Arts, it’s Arts Funding and Advisory Body.

Thomas Rann, Cello to play with the Australia Quartet 31st October, Sydney Opera House

Australia Quartet celebrates Halloween with Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht (‘Transfigured Night’), Schumann’s beloved Piano Quartet and Australian composer, Elena Kats-Chernin’s irresistible work, ‘Scherzino’. Tait Awardee, Thomas Rann was recently in London….wonderful artist

Australia Quartet
Australia Quartet

Description

Australia Quartet celebrates Halloween 2013 with a one-night-only concert on Thursday 31 October at Sydney Opera House. Transfigured Night, Schoenberg’s gothic masterpiece anchors a remarkable program which includes a world premiere and performance by internationally renowned Australian composer, Elena Kats-Cherni

Tamara-Anna Cislowska, piano

Veronique Serret, violin

James Wannan, viola

Thomas Rann, cello

Thomas Rann – Tait Awardee 2003

Thomas Rann, Cello
Thomas Rann, Cello

“an extraordinary talent with wonderful musical temperament and control of the instrument.”

In Martinu’s Variations on a theme of Rossini, this finely gifted young cellist’s qualities came to the fore – he demonstrated such superb musicianship throughout the programme that one eagerly looks foward to hearing Thomas Rann many times in the future.”

Thomas Rann is increasingly recognised as the most exciting young cellist to have emerged from Australia in recent years.

In 2008, Thomas Rann gives his Wigmore Hall recital debut with pianist Wu Qian, made his debut with the Queensland Orchestra under Vladimir Verbitsky (Tchaikovsky Pezzo Capriccioso and Andante Cantabile) and will give a recital for the inaugural Adelaide International Cello Festival. He will also make his Cadogan Hall debut performing Strauss Don Quixote with the London Phoenix Orchestra and his US recital debut in New York City.

Born in Adelaide, Thomas Rann commenced his cello studies at the age of nine under the tuition of Ruth Saffir and Niall Brown (University of Adelaide). In 2000, Thomas Rann entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, as the only pupil of distinguished English cellist Raphael Wallfisch.   He is now based in London.

Throughout his studies in the United Kingdom, Thomas Rann has performed at venues including Wigmore Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, St James’ Piccadilly, Australia House, St James’ Palace and Westminster Abbey. He has appeared at  the Festivals of Courchevel, Schleswig-Holstein, Radolfzell, Brighton (UK), London Festival of Jewish Culture, and Verbier (Switzerland). Thomas Rann’s concerto appearances include performances with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Preston Symphony Orchestra,  Australian National Academy of Music Orchestra, London Phoenix Orchestra and the Melbourne Sinfonia.

Winner of the prestigious Muriel Taylor Scholarship for Cellists (London, 2004) – previous laureates include Steven Isserlis, Raphael Wallfisch and Alexander Baillie – Thomas Rann undertook a two-year mentorship in Sydney in 2004 with Professor Uzi Wiesel. Highlights of the 2004/2005 season included recitals at the French and Finnish Embassies in Canberra and a performance at the Institut Franco-Japonais in Tokyo, Japan, for television broadcast in Japan, the USA and Russia. He also peformed at the Kronberg International Cello Festival in Frankfurt, Germany, won the Australian National Academy of Music’s Concerto Competition and was featured as a “rising star” soloist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for ABC Classic FM’s Young Australia program.

In 2006, Thomas Rann made his widely acclaimed debut with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as soloist in the ‘Symphony Under the Stars’ outdoor concert before an audience of 30,000. During the same year, Thomas Rann was awarded the E.V. Llewellyn Memorial Scholarship for String Players  and a Senior Award following the Hattori Foundation Final in London. He was also selected as a finalist for the 2006 Music Council of Australia Freedman Fellowship. Other highlights of 2006 included a recital with Sydney International Piano Competition prize-winner Evgeny Ukhanov for ABC Classic FM’s “Rising Stars” programme, broadcast throughout Australia; his Musica Viva debut at a special function held in Sydney ; and a performance at the International Cello Seminar in Israel.

Thomas Rann has appeared as soloist with the Camden Chamber Orchestra and City of London Chamber Orchestra and has continued his regular recital partnerships with pianists Wu Qian and Leslie Howard. Other highlights included appearances for the Tait Memorial Trust at the Royal Overseas League, chamber music and solo performances at the Verbier Festival (Switzerland) and at the London School of Economics Shaw Library Series.

Thomas Rann has been the recipient of generous support from the Ian Potter Cultural Trust, E.V. Llewellyn Memorial Scholarship, the Australia Council for the Arts, the Hattori Foundation for exceptionally talented soloists (London), PPCA Foundation and the Tait Memorial Trust. He has also benefited greatly from the guidance of artists such as Gavriel Lipkind, Karine Georgian, Bernard Greenhouse, Frans Helmerson, Heinrich Schiff, Ralph Kirshbaum, Gary Hoffman, Steven Isserlis and Ivry Gitlis. He is grateful for the use of a fine 18th Century Italian cello owned by the late R.A.G. Holmes AM.

The biography belowis courtesy of Robert Gilder & Co.

Cello

Thomas Rann

“an extraordinary talent with wonderful musical temperament and control of the instrument.”

In Martinu’s Variations on a theme of Rossini, this finely gifted young cellist’s qualities came to the fore – he demonstrated such superb musicianship throughout the programme that one eagerly looks foward to hearing Thomas Rann many times in the future.”

Thomas Rann is increasingly recognised as the most exciting young cellist to have emerged from Australia in recent years.

In 2008, Thomas Rann gives his Wigmore Hall recital debut with pianist Wu Qian, made his debut with the Queensland Orchestra under Vladimir Verbitsky (Tchaikovsky Pezzo Capriccioso and Andante Cantabile) and will give a recital for the inaugural Adelaide International Cello Festival. He will also make his Cadogan Hall debut performing Strauss Don Quixote with the London Phoenix Orchestra and his US recital debut in New York City.

Born in Adelaide, Thomas Rann commenced his cello studies at the age of nine under the tuition of Ruth Saffir and Niall Brown (University of Adelaide). In 2000, Thomas Rann entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, as the only pupil of distinguished English cellist Raphael Wallfisch.   He is now based in London.

Throughout his studies in the United Kingdom, Thomas Rann has performed at venues including Wigmore Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, St James’ Piccadilly, Australia House, St James’ Palace and Westminster Abbey. He has appeared at  the Festivals of Courchevel, Schleswig-Holstein, Radolfzell, Brighton (UK), London Festival of Jewish Culture, and Verbier (Switzerland). Thomas Rann’s concerto appearances include performances with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Preston Symphony Orchestra,  Australian National Academy of Music Orchestra, London Phoenix Orchestra and the Melbourne Sinfonia.

Winner of the prestigious Muriel Taylor Scholarship for Cellists (London, 2004) – previous laureates include Steven Isserlis, Raphael Wallfisch and Alexander Baillie – Thomas Rann undertook a two-year mentorship in Sydney in 2004 with Professor Uzi Wiesel. Highlights of the 2004/2005 season included recitals at the French and Finnish Embassies in Canberra and a performance at the Institut Franco-Japonais in Tokyo, Japan, for television broadcast in Japan, the USA and Russia. He also peformed at the Kronberg International Cello Festival in Frankfurt, Germany, won the Australian National Academy of Music’s Concerto Competition and was featured as a “rising star” soloist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for ABC Classic FM’s Young Australia program.

In 2006, Thomas Rann made his widely acclaimed debut with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as soloist in the ‘Symphony Under the Stars’ outdoor concert before an audience of 30,000. During the same year, Thomas Rann was awarded the E.V. Llewellyn Memorial Scholarship for String Players  and a Senior Award following the Hattori Foundation Final in London. He was also selected as a finalist for the 2006 Music Council of Australia Freedman Fellowship. Other highlights of 2006 included a recital with Sydney International Piano Competition prize-winner Evgeny Ukhanov for ABC Classic FM’s “Rising Stars” programme, broadcast throughout Australia; his Musica Viva debut at a special function held in Sydney ; and a performance at the International Cello Seminar in Israel.

Thomas Rann has appeared as soloist with the Camden Chamber Orchestra and City of London Chamber Orchestra and has continued his regular recital partnerships with pianists Wu Qian and Leslie Howard. Other highlights included appearances for the Tait Memorial Trust at the Royal Overseas League, chamber music and solo performances at the Verbier Festival (Switzerland) and at the London School of Economics Shaw Library Series.

Thomas Rann has been the recipient of generous support from the Ian Potter Cultural Trust, E.V. Llewellyn Memorial Scholarship, the Australia Council for the Arts, the Hattori Foundation for exceptionally talented soloists (London), PPCA Foundation and the Tait Memorial Trust. He has also benefited greatly from the guidance of artists such as Gavriel Lipkind, Karine Georgian, Bernard Greenhouse, Frans Helmerson, Heinrich Schiff, Ralph Kirshbaum, Gary Hoffman, Steven Isserlis and Ivry Gitlis. He is grateful for the use of a fine 18th Century Italian cello owned by the late R.A.G. Holmes AM.

Robert Gilder & Co.
91 Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3PS
United Kingdom
Robert Gilder
Managing Director
e: rgilder@robert-gilder.com
p: +44 (0)20 7580 7758
f: +44 (0)20 7580 7739
Robert Gilder & Co.
91 Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3PS
United Kingdom
Robert Gilder
Managing Director
e: rgilder@robert-gilder.com
p: +44 (0)20 7580 7758
f: +44 (0)20 7580 7739

Southbank Sinfonia – Sir Charles Mackerras Chair

For the last few weeks the Southbank Sinfonia’s General Manager, James Murphy has been holding auditions in Australia to find new players for 2014 and to select  the recipient for the prestigious Sir Charles Mackerras Chair.

Southbank Sinfonia
Southbank Sinfonia

The chair is exclusively for a young Australian orchestral musician to honour the memory of the great Australian conductor, Sir Charles Mackerras. The Trust is delighted to support this chair and was instrumental in its creation several years ago. We thank the Southbank Sinfonia for continuing this award and making it such an important position for a young Australian orchestral musician. We look forward to hearing who will be the holder of the 2013/2014 chair.

The last holder of this prestigious post was Violist, Lisa Bucknell. Lisa was a Trust awardee 2012/2013 and played in one of our concerts at the Foundling Museum in August.

Lisa Bucknell, Viola
Lisa Bucknell, Viola

Helen Sherman, Mezzo Soprano, in Wigmore finals 3rd September

Terrific news to hear that former Tait Trust & YCAT Trust Awardee, HelenSherman has reached the finals of the Wigmore Hall International Song Competition which will be held on Tuesday 3 September at 6pm

20130902-195743.jpg
Helen Sherman, Mezzo Soprano

Helen’s website

Biography and Reviews

Australian mezzo-soprano Helen Sherman studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where she completed a Bachelor of Music and Post Graduate Diploma in opera. Following her success in the 2007 Australian Singing Competition she was awarded a scholarship to take up studies at the Royal Northern College of Music where she was the first student to receive the International Artists Diploma in opera. In 2011 she represented Australia at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition and in 2012 /13, Helen was awarded Australian Music Association prizes at the Royal Overseas League Music competition in London.

Of her recent performance as Aurelio for English Touring Opera’s L’Assedio di Calais, Richard Morrison of The Times wrote, ‘Donizetti’s fierce vocal demands are met fearlessly and thrillingly by the young Australian mezzo Helen Sherman, playing the volatile hero Aurelio. Her stridently masculine body language and formidable vocal power seem to epitomize the bloody-minded resistance of the besieged citizens.’ Recent engagements have included Dorabella (Cosi fan Tutte) for English Touring Opera at Fulham Palace, Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) for Mid Wales Opera, Suzuki (Madama Butterfly) and Governess (The Queen of Spades) for Grange Park Opera. Operatic roles while at the RNCM included Hélène (Offenbach’s La Belle Hélène), Sesto (La Clemenza di Tito), Cyrus (Belshazzar), the latter in a co-production with Manchester Camerata, Varvava (Katya Kabanova), The Old Lady (Candide) and Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus).

Over the last two years Helen’s concert appearances have included recitals at Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall and City of London Festival, Performances at Cheltenham Festival including Janacek’s Diary of one who disappeared with Toby Spence and Britten’s Cabaret Songs with James Baillieu broadcast live on BBC Radio3, Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall with Sir David Willcocks, a recital with Roger Vignoles for Cambridge Summer Festival, Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder with the Liverpool Mozart Orchestra and Peter Maxwell Davies’s Five Acts of Harry Patch with London Mozart Players at St John’s Smith Square. Helen has featured on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s ABC Classic FM and on British Broadcasting Corporation’s BBC Radio3, and recorded with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. Helen is a Samling Scholar.

Furture engagements include Nicklausse (The Tales of Hoffmann), Nero (The Coronation of Poppea) and a recital with Malcolm Martineau and Sir Thomas Allen at Wigmore Hall for the Samling Foundation.

Helen is very grateful for the dedicated support of The Young Classical Artists Trust, The Royal Overseas League, The Wingate Trust, The Tait Memorial Trust, Independent Opera, The Australian Music Foundation, The Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Trust, The Dame Joan Sutherland Society, Ars Musica Australis, The Opera and Arts Support Group Sydney, The Ian Potter Cultural Trust and the Simon Fletcher Charitable Trust.

Reviews.. ‘The impetuous Aurelio is a trouser role sung by a mezzo-soprano; the similitude affected by Helen Sherman to a reckless young man was striking enough that on first glance one was unsure in the dimness of the stage whether it actually was a man stalking the English camp. What most impressed about her performance was not success in making the illusion of gender almost work, however, but the brilliant coloratura singing she brought to the role. Flitting easily over the spectrum of lower register to higher with never a pause, she brought the coruscating vocal fireworks which are so typically Donizetti and so superbly realised in L’assedio to the fore. When she returns safely to her family, her opening aria ‘Al mio core oggetti amati’ underscored a radiant tone directed smoothly and with precision, culminating in impressively sustained, floating high notes.’ Opera Britannia / English Touring Opera / L’Assedio di Calais / Hackney Empire / March 2013

There is one genuine revelation in this production. The good looking youth caught stealing bread from the enemy camp during the overture turned out, to my surprise, to be the mezzo Helen Sherman playing Aurelio. I’ve never seen a more convincing boy. And she can sing too. Her voice is warm, flexible and attractively rounded, and she sang assertively and evenly from top to bottom. I can easily imagine her in the sort of parts Joyce DiDonato specialises in – bel canto, Handel, Mozart – anything that needs stupendous technical command and real character.’ Intermezzo / English Touring Opera / L’Assedio di Calais / Hackney Empire / March 2013

‘Donizetti’s fierce vocal demands are met fearlessly and thrillingly by the young Australian mezzo Helen Sherman, playing the volatile hero Aurelio. Her stridently masculine body language and formidable vocal power seem to epitomise the bloody-minded resistance of the besieged citizens.’ Richard Morrison / The Times / English Touring Opera / L’Assedio di Calais / March 2013

‘Helen Sherman, who represented Australia at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in 2011, was superb as Aurelio. Dressed in baggy clothes, she looked physically every inch a young man and her demeanour was at all times highly convincing even when being rather physical (such as climbing over the drain). But she also brought to the role a fine, rich mezzo-soprano voice which was nicely even across the (considerable) range and wonderfully flexible when it came to the fioritura. She sang the role with intelligence and bravura, using the fioritura musically and dramatically. I certainly hope that we shall hear more of her in this repertoire.’ Robert Hugill / A World of Classical Music / English Touring Opera / L’Assedio di Calais / Hackney Empire / March 2013

’The singer that made this a knock-out was Australian mezzo Helen Sherman as Aurelio. Before she started singing, her convincing mannerisms and body language made me think she was a man, and she gave a stunning portrayal of the role. The defiant aria in Act I, and in Act II the duet with his wife, the rejection of the enemy, and the farewell aria to his baby were riveting. Helen Sherman’s mezzo voice is world class, and a glance at her website shows she is singing a huge range of different roles — I look forward to hearing her again.’ Mark Ronan / Theatre Reviews / English Touring Opera/ L’Assedio di Calais / Hackney Empire / March 2013

‘There is only one man in Elvira’s life – Giovanni himself – and Helen Sherman tears herself apart as she depicts the conflicting emotions – rage, frustration, loyalty, devotion, vengefulness – which reach boiling point in this most complex of Mozartian characters.’ Seen and heard international / Mid Wales Opera / Don Giovanni / October 2012

‘The women shine brightest: Helen Sherman’s Elvira …stylishly sung.’ The Guardian / Rian Evans / Mid Wales Opera / Don Giovanni / September 2012

“My eyes lit up when I saw that Australian Helen Sherman had chosen to open with a song by Henri Duparc – Au pays où se fait la guerre .. It was impossible not to be caught up in the pathos and sadness of the situation which Helen Sherman communicated so sensitively. She then descended from her tower (figuratively) to Britten’s Cabaret Songs, his settings of words by Auden.. These are witty songs, not easy by any means, and Helen Sherman delivered them with a twinkle in her eye. She was well supported by accompanist James Baillieu who also had a twinkle in his fingers.” Seen and heard international / Cheltenham Festival / Philip Langridge Mentoring Scheme/ July 2012

“Finally, a Handel aria sung as it should be, with clean but not over-articulated coloratura, excellent phrasing, plenty of expression, and the ornamentation placed at the service of the music, rather than just used as a tool to show off a voice…Sherman picked up the gauntlet and flung it right down again for the remaining competitors with this exuberant and triumphant interpretation.” An Unamplified Voice / Cardiff Singer of the World / June 2011

“My favourite female performer of the evening, was the Australian mezzo Helen Sherman. To start with, she is so elegant.. She walked firmly onto the stage, stood there in perfect control of her expressions and gestures, and delivered three difficult pieces with no obvious sense of strain. An audience can feel safe in her hands.” Intermezzo / Cardiff Singer of the World / June 2011

“Fresh from Cardiff Singer Of The World Helen Sherman seduced the boy and the audience with her bewitching rich mezzo-soprano.” This is Gloucestershire / Cheltenham Festival / Diary of one who disappeared / July 2011

“Helen Sherman was utterly convincing in the part of the gypsy with her creamy mezzo-soprano voice and beguiling presence. The wistful song which followed, God all-powerful, God eternal.. was enough to melt any man’s heart.” Seen and heard international / Cheltenham Festival / Diary of one who disappeared / July 2011

“The college is fortunate to have two star mezzos for the trouser-roles of Sesto and Annio. The Australian Helen Sherman, fresh from her storming victory the previous week in the Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Prize, was a convincing Sesto, looking masculine and singing Parto, parto with lustrous tone…In their great scene together, Sesto and Tito raised the emotional temperature by several degrees.” Opera Magazine/ RNCM Opera / La Clemenza di Tito / April 2010

“Two performances were outstanding vocally and dramatically: the Australian Helen Sherman’s Helene could have come straight out of a Coward comedy and was sung with clear and flexible tone.” Opera Magazine / RNCM Opera / La Belle Hélène / February 2010

“As the vain, scheming, eponymous heroine, Helen Sherman was magnificent. Her confidence, acting ability, timing and a stupendous voice, made her the ideal lead in the production and should set up her for many major roles as her career develops.” Musical Opinion / RNCM Opera / La Belle Hélène / January 2010

“I would like to point to Helen Sherman’s performance in the title role as one of poise, sophistication, subtlety and splendour, in both the singing and the comedy.” Metro / RNCM Opera / La Belle Hélène December 2009

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Helen Sherman, Mezzo Soprano

John Amis Award | JustGiving

John Amis by Hoffnung 1958 edited
John Amis by Hoffnung 1958 edited

As we look back at  John Amis’ funeral on Tuesday 20th August the idea of a legacy, a tangible way to remember John has been at the forefront of our thoughts. A life, such as his is a rare occurrence and deserves our very best efforts to remember and celebrate.

For the last six years of his incredible life John Amis was a Patron and an active supporter of the Tait Memorial Trust. The Chairman, Isla Baring OAM, wishes to create an Award in his name to be called the ‘John Amis Award’.

We have created a JustGiving page in the name of John Amis which is attached to the main TMT JustGiving page. Any money donated via John’s page will go directly to fund this new award. We are delighted to report that the fund has got off to a good start with the donations made at John’s funeral and committal.

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Please donate to this award using the button below.

Donate with JustGiving

 

John Amis

The funeral is over and he is laid to rest in Aldeburgh, not far from Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears and Imogen Holst. The last few days have been a wonderful celebration of the life of John Amis, due to the love and support of his many friends the services were very special and … unforgettable.

Thank you so much to you all for the touching messages of love and support. John was a remarkable man, an irreplaceable man who I will never forget. I was blessed to have eight happy years with him. Over the coming months the Trust will celebrate his life with the John Amis – A Concert in Celebration and the Tait Winter Prom on November 26th and a new award, the John Amis Award., more below.

John Amis
John Amis

The funeral for John was held at St Sepulchre-without-Newgate in London on Tuesday 20th August led by John’s old friend, The Reverend John Wates. A witty eulogy from John’s long time friend, and former BBC colleague, Humphrey Burton and memories from another dear friend, Michael Rose were a welcome respite from the grief most of us have been experiencing these past few weeks.

Joanna McCallum; daughter of founding Tait Trust Patrons, Googie Withers and John McCallum, and now a member of the TMT committee, read:

Reading – Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

Joanna McCallum

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.

Dame Felicity Lott sang a song which was very dear to John, ‘Beim Schlafengehen‘, one of Strauss’ four last songs, accompanied beautifully by Graham Johnson. This was a particularly poignant moment as Dame Felicity visited John near to his death and sang some songs quietly into his ear. Her singing of the Strauss was an unforgettable moment in the service. If John was writing this I am sure he would find a way to better express the joy that she shared with the congregation and most especially to John’s partner, Isla Baring.

John Amis at home
John Amis at home

A lovely recording of John singing, Bilbo’s Song by Donald Swann, was played with his dear friend, Donald Swann singing in harmony and accompanying and a hauntingly beautiful 1927 recording of, The Power of Love by Percy Grainger with the pure tones of Anita Atwater, soprano and Percy Grainger accompanying on the harmonium and Ralph Leopold piano.

The service ended with Steal Away, the famous Negro spiritual arranged by Michael Tippett from ‘A Child Of Our Time’ sung beautifully by, The Choir of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate led by Andrew Earis, Director of Music .

On Wednesday at St Peter and St Paul Church, Aldeburgh a short service was held with a reflection on John’s life by conductor, Steuart Bedford and Humphrey Burton again provided the Eulogy before the committal. This service was marked by the recordings of John whistling and being back in his spiritual home the service had an added colour.

To read the order of service of John’s funeral please download it here

John Amis Memorial Concert, October 8th 2013, St Paul’s Knightsbridge

We all hope you can come to the Memorial Concert on 8th October at St Paul’s Knightsbridge. The concert is being developed with the assistance of Michael Rose and will be a fitting celebration of his life and work. Please watch this space. Artists and the concert repertoire is being confirmed and the theme will most definitely be as broad as the tastes for which John Amis was justly famous. Flanders and Swann to Mahler, Percy Grainger, Wagner and of course Britten and Tippett….plus?

John Amis Award

As we look back at John Amis’ funeral on Tuesday 20th August the idea of a legacy, a tangible way to remember John, has been at the forefront of our thoughts. He was a man of rare talent, and was an inspiration to so many and his life deserves to be fully celebrated.
John Amis by Hoffnung 1958 edited

For the last six years of his life John was a Patron and an active supporter of the Tait Memorial Trust, arranging many successful and popular events and working tirelessly to further the Trust’s work. In recognition of his substantial contribution, Isla Baring OAM, Chairman of the Trust, wishes to create an Award in his honour to be called the John Amis Award.

We have created a JustGiving page in the name of John Amis which is attached to the main TMT JustGiving page. Any money donated via John’s page will go directly to fund this new award. We are delighted to report that the fund has got off to a good start with the generous donations made at John’s funeral and at his committal in Aldeburgh.

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Save the Date – Tait Winter Prom 2013

We look forward to hearing Dame Gillian Weir, Primavera Shima, Travis Baker and the lovely Valda Wilson again at the 2013 Winter Prom at Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, Chelsea 26 November 2013.

This concert was completely arranged by John Amis. The notes, the artists and the concept was all John’s work. It will be dedicated to his memory.

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Tait Winter Prom 2013

Below are some photos of John Amis from 2013

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John Amis with Sir Andrew Davis after Elgar Concert at Cadogan Hall, London
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John Amis with Sir Willard White
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Leon Berger, Alison Swann, John Amis and Stephanie Flanders
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John Amis in the Flanders and Swann evening at 49 Queens Gate Terrace, March 2013
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John Amis

Tait Memorial Trust website

©2013 Tait Memorial Trust • Registered charity 1042797

Founding Patrons of the Tait Memorial Trust

The founding Patrons of the Tait Memorial Trust were Viola, Lady Tait AM, Dame Joan Sutherland AC OM DBE, John McCallum AO CBE and Googie Withers AO CBE.

The Tait Memorial Trust was formed in 1992 by Isla Baring OAM, in memory of her father, Sir Frank Tait and his four brothers. The Tait brothers ran the biggest theatrical group in Australia; called J.C. Williamsons, often referred to as, “The Firm”.

British Pathe tribute to the death of Sir Frank Tait

Manager of the ABC, Sir Frank Tait, Marion Anderson, USA Consul, Town Hall concert, Melbourne, 1962  Part of Lady Viola Tait collection
Manager of the ABC, Sir Frank Tait, Marion Anderson, USA Consul, Town Hall concert, Melbourne, 1962
Part of Lady Viola Tait collection

They owned theatres in all states and theatres in New Zealand,, their base of operations was Her Majesty’s ( or His Majesty’s for a period ) in Melbourne,. They employed local artists and international artists such as Pavlova, Chaliapin, Melba, Danny Kaye, Gracie Fields, Laurence Olivier, Sybil Thorndike, Margot Fonteyn, Vivien Leigh, Percy Grainger and many more.

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They maintained offices in London and New York to ensure that they could book the best talent to come to Australia, JC Williamson’s famously acquired the Australian performing rights from the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company for all of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

Dame Nellie Melba, Soprano
Dame Nellie Melba, Soprano

They put on most American musicals from Annie get your Gun to My Fair Lady. Sir Frank’s last enterprise, the crowning glory of his long career was the Sutherland-Williamson Opera Company in 1965. A company formed the previous year with no subsidy and brought opera to Australia, on tour. A true laurel in the crown of JC Williamson’s and Sir Frank Tait.

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Googie Withers AO CBE & John Macallum AO CBE, Founding Patrons of the Tait Memorial Trust

Viola, Lady Tait, the widow of Sir Frank Tait, wrote, ‘A Family of Brothers’, a wonderful book and vivid account of the growth of the Tait brothers theatre business culminating in the golden days of JC Williamson’s Theatre Company and the Sutherland-Williamson Co. of 1965. Viola, Lady Tait’s zest for life was inspirational. She was a champion of new and emerging talent, adjudicating numerous scholarships and awards both in Australia and overseas. As an adjudicator for The Shell-Mobil Quest in 1950, Viola Tait was famously instrumental in launching Joan Sutherland’s career.

Lady McKell and Viola Tait at opening of the ballet, ca. 1950 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.7 x 15.2 cm. Part of Lady Viola Tait collection [picture]. 1850-1976.
Lady McKell and Viola Tait at opening of the ballet, ca. 1950 Part of Lady Viola Tait collection 1850-1976. National Library of Australia Archive

It became Sir Frank’s ambition to present Joan Sutherland to the Australian public after her international acclaim. The Sutherland Williamson Grand Opera Company opened in Melbourne in 1965 heralding her triumphant return to her homeland. It was a season never to be forgotten. Joan Sutherland sang some of the best performances of her career while on this tour. She performed in five of the eight operas along with the young Pavarotti.

In Richard Bonynge’s words:

“Sir Frank Tait has done the greatest service to Australian Theatre and to the arts of anyone we know.”

More information on the Trust history can be found on our website. www.taitmemorialtrust.org

Tait Memorial Trust website

©2013 Tait Memorial Trust • Registered charity 1042797

John Amis Award

As we prepare for John Amis’ funeral on Tuesday 20th August the idea of a legacy, a tangible way to remember John has been at the forefront of our thoughts. A life, such as his is a rare occurrence and deserves our very best efforts to remember and celebrate.
John Amis by Hoffnung 1958 edited

For the last six years of his incredible life John Amis was a Patron and an active supporter of the Tait Memorial Trust. The Chairman, Isla Baring OAM, wishes to create an Award in his name to be called the ‘John Amis Award’.

We have created a JustGiving page in the name of John Amis which is attached to the main TMT page. Any money donated via John’s page will go directly to fund this new award.

Donate with JustGiving

John Amis

Six weeks in a bank was enough for him to decide to live by and with music. Selling records and writing about them for a high-class gramophone shop, working with London Philharmonic, Symphony and Royal Philharmonic, organising concerts for Myra Hess at the National Gallery and for Michael Tippett whose secretary-dogsbody and friend he was, concert manager for Beecham, music critic for The Scotsman, organiser of the Summer School of Music with William Glock at Bryanston and Dartington for 34 years, broadcaster on radio and TV for 40, during which time he interviewed some 500 of the most famous and interesting musicians, Hindemith to Bernstein, Cage to Swann, Stravinsky to Stockhausen. He has narrated parts in Façade, Peter and the Wolf, Enoch Arden and Babar the Elephant.

John Amis speaking at the Malcolm Arnold Festival 2011

For his 70th birthday made a CD with friends Leslie Howard, Steve Race, Malcolm Arnold, Donald Swann, Jeffrey Tate and Ian Wallace. His books include an autobiography,Amiscellany, an anthology Words about Music and My Life in Music 1945 – 2000, A Photographer at the Aldeburgh Festival (Nigel Luckhurst) and Musicians on Camera(Lelia Goehr).

John Amis
John Amis

John was a very active blogger. His site John Amis online has a selection of his reviews going back to 2001. http://johnamismusic.blogspot.co.uk

The Archive of over 500 priceless interviews with the leaders of Western music and the Arts is being collected. Watch this space.