Oz Opera concert supports communities affected by the Queensland floods
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Flood-affected communities and families in regional Queensland will host a special visit from Opera Australia's Oz Opera on Thursday 18 August. Co-presented by Australia Post, the concert performance is being held to aid, inspire and uplift communities in the Western Downs region and surrounding areas.
"Music has a great power to inspire, to move and to heal. This is what we do best and so we offer this to Chinchilla to help in their recovery from the floods" says Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director of Opera Australia. "I know from my own time living in Queensland just how important it is for communities to unite at times of need. And bringing music is one way we can help."
Queensland Premier and Minister for Reconstruction Anna Bligh said the concert was a wonderful way to not just reflect on the events that had affected the Western Downs during the 2010/2011 summer disasters but to bring the community together in a positive way.
"This is an opportunity for Western Downs residents to celebrate as a community by attending a free concert by the nation's foremost opera company," Ms Bligh said.
This free performance is about engaging and uplifting people through music, bringing the magic of live performance and supporting affected communities as they regenerate.
"This event reflects our desire to engage with regional communities, not just through Oz Opera's regular touring program, but also with special events designed to help stimulate growth and renewal in times of hardship," says Australia Post Managing Director and CEO, Ahmed Fahour.
"It builds on the support that Australia Post and Opera Australia provided during and after the 2009 Victorian bushfires and in the wake of the floods earlier this year".
The Chinchilla concert will include staged excerpts from this year's production of Verdi's famous La traviata, along with other well-known opera classics such as Puccini's La bohème, Verdi's Rigoletto, Mozart's Don Giovanni and Bizet's Carmen. Performers will include soprano Leah Thomas, tenor Jason Wasley and baritone Tom Hamilton. The MC for the evening will be Queensland Conservatorium of Music graduate, opera singer Eddie Muliau.
Opera Australia is committed to growing its connection to Queensland, recently announcing plans for an annual opera season in Brisbane, beginning in 2012. The national company is expanding around the country with touring productions, special concert performances, cinema screenings designed to reach Australian audiences in meaningful ways across the country.
Oz Opera Gala Concert for Chinchilla
Thursday 18 August | 7.00pm
Chinchilla Cultural Centre
80-86 Heeney St, Chinchilla, QLD
*FREE*