June 2024 Newsletter - Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program
June || 2024
Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program
What’sOn
Ourprogramisopentotheallmembersofthepublic
2024LisaGasteenNationalOperaProgram
November24th-December14th
“Elsewhere”SongRecital
November30th
OperaScenesPerformance
December14th
PublicPublicWorkshopwithFeliceVenanzoni
DateTBC
LecturewithGregoryMassingham
DateTBC
LecturewithNancyUnderhill
DateTBC
ListeningRooms
DatesTBC
“My mission is to offer developing professional singers the very best of what they will experience when they travel overseas.”
LisaGasteenAO
Program Announcement
This year, the Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program will be honouring the birthplace of opera – la bella Italia. All our activities and presentations will either feature Italy’s universally loved and admired cultural heritage, or demonstrate its appeal to other creative traditions.
Our coaches and guest artists, Australian and international, have been chosen for their expertise in this repertoire.
Opera Scenes and a Public Workshop:
The closing performance will showcase scenes from operas in Italian or about Italy, directed by the incomparable Stuart Maunder, with our trusted Ensemble Q led by Felice Venanzoni, from the Frankfurt Opera. Felice will also host a public workshop illuminating recitative.
Elsewhere:
Philip Mayers will be hosting and directing a song recital “Elsewhere”, with art song repertoire demonstrating the attraction of Italy and the sunny Mediterranean over the last two centuries.
Public Lectures, and Experiences:
And not to forget the lectures on art and music history by Nancy Underhill and Gregory Massingham, a public workshop illuminating recitative. There will also be Listening Rooms to hear famous performances introduced by an expert.
Please join us in December for three weeks of la dolce vita, and the music to match!
Messagefrom LisaGasteenAO
FounderoftheLisaGasteen NationalOperaProgram
I'm taking this opportunity to put dow friend and colleague of many years, Philip Mayers, our incoming Artistic Director of LGNOP.
It is not my purpose to repeat his CV which is more than impressive, rather to speak to what I believe he will bring to The Program.
Because of Philip's vast experience as a role and repertoire coach, recitalist, presenter and coordinator, translator and text adaptator (sur-titles for LGNOP included), his profile and the respect in which he is held I believe Philip to be THE person to take over LGNOP Philip is still living in Berlin after 35-ish years and is professionally current on the music scene. He has contacts and friendships which will be beneficial to our singers when they venture abroad and of course he demands the best from singers and other musicians with whom he works.
For me it has always been imperative that the Program remain in Brisbane, Queensland, as we are not as well catered for as the southern states. Indeed Philip comes from the same town as our 26th Prime Minister and 23rd Ambassador to USA
All the professional acknowledgements and praise I can lay at his feet are all the more valued because, as they say 'he's a real mensch'. He has been somewhat of a rock for me during my own career and I see he is that for others who follow.
I know the Program will be in the best of hands and will enjoy an era of renewed energy, a fresh perspective and remain a Program of highest possible standards. I look forward to a vibrant LGNOP thanks to a the strong team of Philip as Artistic Director, Nancy Underhill as Director of Implementation and Lauren Towns the Project Officer.
Our2024Staff
The Lisa Gasteen Opera School is thrilled to announce that Felice Venanzoni from the Frankfurt Opera, will join us for the Program We also welcome back Sharolyn Kimmorley, Teresa Demarchelier, and Sarka Budinska to the coaching staff for the 2024 Program. Last but not least, we welcome back Stuart Maunder AM, who will direct our performance of Opera Scenes.
To view full staff biographies, please visit our website
PhilipMayers
LGNOPArtisticDirector
Philip Mayers, an Australian musician, is renowned as a chamber music partner, accompanist, vocal coach, conductor, and pianist. Specializing in New Music, he has premiered over 100 works Long based in Berlin, Philip performs as an associate artist with leading singers and chamber music partners from orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhaus, New York Philharmonic, and Sydney Symphony.
FeliceVenanzoni GuestCoach
Felice Venanzoni grew up and studied in Pesaro, Italy and is a Head Coach of Oper Frankfurt. He has collaborated with renowned ensembles and participated in prestigious festivals and productions including Salzburg Festspiel, “Winter in Schwetzingen”. In addition to his performances, Felice coaches singers at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts.
or
orty years, Stuart Maunder rected musical theatre and Australia. He joined Opera n 1978, becoming Executive (2004–2008). Stuart was Director of New Zealand 14–2018), Artistic Director of era South Australia (2018d is currently the Artistic of Victorian Opera.
SharolynKimmorley VocalCoach
harolyn Kimmorley is regarded as ne of Australia’s finest vocal coaches nd accompanist. She has held key oles for Opera Australia, recorded for he ABC Classics, taken part in Chamber Music Concerts, and ccompanied some of the world’s most distinguished recitalists. harolyn is currently the Artistic Adviser to Melba Opera Trust.
SarkaBudinska Accompanist
Sarka Budinska, a graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, collaborated with ensembles like Czech Radio Choir and M. Nostitz String Quartet. Since moving to Australia, she has been a pianist, teacher, and chamber musician. In 2018, she joined LGNOP, and currently, she is a sessional accompanist at the Queensland Conservatorium and the University of Queensland.
TeresaDesmarchelier LyricDictionCoach
Teresa Desmarchelier, originally from Piacenza, Italy, is a Lyric Diction coach now based in Australia. Fluent in Italian, English, French, and Spanish, she has amassed over three decades of experience. Currently, Teresa serves as a Language & Lyric Diction Coach at Opera Queensland and the Queensland Conservatorium of Music Teresa works as a visiting coach
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aurenTowns rojectCoordinator
auren Towns is a Mezzo-Soprano, ompleting her final year of a B.Mus Performance at the Queensland onservatorium under Lisa Gasteen O. Lauren was a participant in the 023 LGNOP and the 2024 NZ Opera chool. Lauren is the recipient of the 021 AIMES Emerging Talent Award Music, and was awarded the Brian ansford Award at the 2024 National ederfest Competition.
GregoryMassingham ecturer
regory Massingham trained under Sir eter Pears and completed ostgraduate studies at London’s uildhall School of Music. Gregory was ead of Opera at Queensland onservatorium Griffith University from 995 to 2014. Known for performances in ach’s Passions and Benjamin Britten's epertoire, Gregory also champions ustralian compositions, notably remiering Brett Dean’s Winter Songs.
