Art Song Canberra, “Fairy Tales from Home”. Susannah Lawergren (soprano) with Maciej Pawela (piano). Photo: Peter Hislop.
“Fairy Tales From Home”, Susannah Lawergren, soprano, Maciej Pawela, piano, Art Song Canberra, Wesley Music Centre, May 23. Reviewed by
LEN POWER.
IN a program alive with atmosphere, soprano Susannah Lawergren and pianist Maciej Pawela presented songs by four very different composers under the title “Fairy Tales From Home”.
Lawergren explained at the beginning of the concert that the songs could be seen as metaphors for aspects of the natural world – sky, sea, animal and bird life, seasons and the moon and stars.
Commencing with “Mirlwa” (sky) by Australia’s First Nations composer, Brenda Gifford, the soprano started this journey through nature with soaring and sustained high notes that seemed effortlessly sung. It was the perfect opening for the concert and a taste of what was to follow.
CIMF / Opening gala gets festival off to a good start
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Music contemplates our land and sky
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Standing ovation for âmajor contribution to Australian choral musicâ
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In his new
Requiem, Paul Stanhope has interspersed and, in some cases, replaced the words of the traditional Latin Requiem with poems by five women. As Stanhope notes, the choice of female poets was not pre-planned but the end result of an instinctive set of decisions. The result is a work of nuanced expressive variety alternating between ritualised sorrow and reflection reminiscent of Brittenâs
War Requiem.
With soprano and tenor soloists (a pristine clear-voiced soprano Chloe Lankshear, and gently grained tenor, Richard Butler) and small instrumental ensemble of oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, harp and percussion, the new
Sophie Edwards, founder of “She’s On The Bill”.
“CANBERRA Women In Music” is a new three-day festival with a line-up of 11 bands across three venues showcasing the music, event management and technical skills of women in Canberra, with all proceeds going to charity. First up, and to launch the project is “She’s On The Bill”, young professionals Sophie Edwards, Kirrah Amosa, Lucy Sugerman, Kim Yang and Dana Hassall, 7-11pm, Friday, March 12 at ANU Kambri.
THEN on Saturday, March 13, 11 local acts will perform at The Polo, 38 David Street, Turner, from midday until midnight in three shows for three charities. The night time show, “Women Who Rock For Karinya House” starts at 8.30pm with MC Jen Seyderhelm. The festival also has “Soulful Sunday” at Sideway on Sunday, March 14. All details here.