http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/Sydney's Surprising Opera Company. enSun, 29 Nov 2009 04:04:29 PSTTypePad http://www.typepad.com/opera,baroque,Sydney,Pinchgut,classical,music,music,L,Ormindo,concerts,Antony,Walker,Erin,Helyard,Fiona,Campbell,CavalliMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.aunoopera,baroque,Sydney,Pinchgut,classical,music,music,L,Ormindo,concerts,Antony,Walker,Erin,Helyard,Fiona,Campbell,CavalliPinchgut Opera: - Sydney's Surprising Opera CompanySydney's Surprising Opera Companyhttp://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/lighting-lormindo.htmlMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auSun, 29 Nov 2009 13:51:13 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e2012875eb3f82970cWith only three sleeps to go today saw rehearsals in the City Recital Hall itself. To experience Cavalli’s extraordinary music together with the full staging, costumes and lighting in the venue has been very special for everyone. I asked lighting designer Bernie Tan-Hayes a few questions including what the week...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/all-hands-on-ormindo.htmlMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auFri, 27 Nov 2009 14:02:37 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a6e2f93d970bYesterday was a busy day. The production team bump in to the City Recital Hall while there was an orchestra rehearsal in the morning and then the Sitz in the afternoon at the Opera Centre. The Sitz is when everyone is together for the first time – players and singers....http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/rock-star-erin-helyard.htmlinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auWed, 25 Nov 2009 20:07:16 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e2012875dd4778970cErin Helyard featured in today’s The Australian newspaper, describing his directing style at times like “a keyboard player in a rock band”. Erin talks about his loves, L’Ormindo and Pinchgut – and there are some terrific quotes. For example:- "Some of my [musicology] colleagues don't have any physical contact with...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/cavallis-orchestra.htmlMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auWed, 25 Nov 2009 01:39:01 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e2012875d773d0970cErin welcomed the orchestra today by talking about Cavalli and the constitution of the orchestra at the time of the first performance of L’Ormindo in 1644 in Venice. Erin said that very little is known about performance practices of the time. There are a few contemporary German treatises trying to...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/parts-production-promos-passion.htmlMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auTue, 24 Nov 2009 03:49:10 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a6ce8a5e970bWith only a week left to buy tickets until opening night, there is much excitement and intensity to bring this special L’Ormindo to the stage. Here are some photos of today’s rehearsal with David & Trevor being directed by Mark Gaal; Deb and Erin spend lots of time on the...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/sara-erin-do-handel-as-cavalli-gets-a-workout.htmlMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auMon, 23 Nov 2009 00:19:42 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a6c72a4f970bOver the weekend, the extraordinary soprano and Pinchgut favourite Sara Macliver and our own mega-talented Erin Helyard performed a stunning private concert of Handel arias. One of the raffle prizes at the July’s Pinchgut Fundraising evening was a private performance by Sara Macliver. Anthony Whealy, a regular audience member, won...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/lormindo-countdown.htmlMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auThu, 19 Nov 2009 23:03:16 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e2012875bbbeca970cIt is just under two weeks now to opening night. The morning’s rehearsal started with a complete run through of the show. Some people in the studio who had not seen all of it were laughing out loud at the really funny parts - especially those that involve Kanen Breen...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-pinchgut-opera-stage-manager.htmlMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auTue, 17 Nov 2009 20:32:48 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e2012875afa29e970cStage managers are the behind-the-scenes heroes of any production. They need to multitask, ensure everything happens like clockwork on performance nights, that rehearsals run to their full potential and they must be able to handle every possible situation with ease! When it comes to stage managing an opera, there are...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/pinchgut-at-the-art-gallery-of-nsw.htmlMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auMon, 16 Nov 2009 12:31:31 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e2012875a6d359970cIt was the first time that such special instruments and this stunning line up of musicians were together. The programming was perfect and certainly in the Pinchgut spirit. Erin programmed excerpts from L’Ormindo inrterwoven with instrumental works from Cavalli's contemporaries. Julia Fredersdorff (violin) played a stunning version of Caccini’s “Amarilli...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/a-fast-pace-for-a-fun-drama.htmlinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auFri, 13 Nov 2009 02:46:45 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a693459b970bThe last few days have seen Act 1, Act 2, and some of Act 3 (the last act) blocked. Erin & Talya are driving with a fast pace, and they need too. L’Ormindo is a character driven opera – as Erin discusses in the video below. The plot is complicated...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/music-director-erin-helyard-talks-cavalli-lormindo.htmlMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auWed, 11 Nov 2009 01:42:37 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e201287579e235970cDuring the lunch break and whilst waiting for The Australian’s photographer to arrive, I managed to ask Erin a few questions about life one week into the L'Ormindo rehearsals – and what he reckons you are in for come opening night on December 2 (have you booked your tickets yet?):-http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/love-triangles-snippets.htmlinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auTue, 10 Nov 2009 16:12:27 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a66db36b970bShould rehearsals be this fun? Liz caught a straight run through of the scene where Erisbe (Fiona Campbell) is complaining to her companion Mirinda (Anna Fraser) about the boredom of being married to an old man. There is a lot of laughter and the whole scene is funny, sensuous, and...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/blog-comp-win-a-lormindo-cd.htmlinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auSun, 08 Nov 2009 23:01:13 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e2012875657408970cSydney’s 2MBS-FM (102.5FM) will broadcast the special radio program called “Cavalli’s L’Ormindo: HIP, Then and Now” next Monday 23rd November at 9am (EST). The program aired on 3MBS in Melbourne a few weeks back and now it’s Sydneysiders' turn to hear the terrific insights about the comparisons between two L’Ormindo...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/eavesdropping.htmlinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auSat, 07 Nov 2009 14:26:00 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e2012875608697970cDirector Talya Masel worked very fast on Friday blocking about 50 pages of the score, which is great as we have a lot to get through each day. L’Ormindo has an enormous number of words to be sung and staged. Music Director Erin Helyard on harpsichord and Deb Fox on...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/lormindo-a-feast-for-the-eyes-and-the-ears-all-is-revealed-to-some.htmlinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auFri, 06 Nov 2009 02:58:12 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a65b1739970bDirector Talya Masel and designer Adam Gardnir presented to the company what L’Ormindo will look like. From what was said – I think you are in for quite a visual and musical feast! Talya explained a few of the many subtleties within the direction that will heighten the depth of...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/sets-camera-and-music.htmlinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auThu, 05 Nov 2009 00:55:25 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a655822d970bToday saw the arrival of Perth-born (though now living in Melbourne) director Talya Masel. Talya dropped her bags at the apartment and then headed straight to the rehearsal studio. Soprano Taryn Fiebig greeted her home-town friend with some gorgeous flowers and helped Talya do her hair for the photo (see...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/lormindo-rehearsals-have-started.htmlinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auWed, 04 Nov 2009 02:20:00 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a651cd5f970bRehearsals started today with the Erin Helyard - music director & harpsichord and Deb Fox - lute and individual singers. Deb was saying that although she has learnt all the music - a continuo player has to hear the singer to really know what is going to happen. They are...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/the-heat-is-on.htmlinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auTue, 03 Nov 2009 01:18:18 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a6a30da3970cWith only hours until the start to the rehearsals, 4 weeks to sell out before opening night of L'Ormindo, and at 37 degrees as I write this – the heat is on! I picked up lutenist Deb Fox this morning from the airport, and soprano Jane Sheldon was on the...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/11/ormindo-arrives-and-travelling-with-instruments.htmlinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auMon, 02 Nov 2009 18:50:22 PSTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a648120d970bPinchgut’s Liz Nielsen picked up David Walker from the airport early on Sunday morning to take him to his apartment on a clear sunny Sydney morning. David lives in Florida so a sunny morning is no big deal for him but he did have a big grin on his face...http://pinchgutopera.typepad.com/pinchgut_opera/2009/10/is-there-something-in-the-water-in-wa.htmlMusicinfo@pinchgutopera.com.auFri, 30 Oct 2009 05:06:44 PDTtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83502e15f69e20120a63c64a0970b“Not the water we drink, but the water we swim in. There's something about the ocean. It feeds the spirit.” Director Talya Masel told 2MBS's Fine Music magazine for an article that was published in the November edition that is out today. The cover story is about our production of...nonadultPinchgut Opera: - Sydney's Surprising Opera Company