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Newsletter Issue 3, October 2009 |
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President’s Report – Newsletter October 2009 Dear Robert Stolz Viennese Music Society Members, As our 25th Anniversary Year draws to a close it is time for me to invite you all to our annual Christmas concert at the Austrian Club. Many of you will have fond memories of Society concerts in Macedon at the home of Ariel & Don Saltmarsh and I have invited Ariel to perform again for us. She has been involved with the Society since its early days, singing for us on many occasions, and now lives in semi-retirement outside Castlemaine. There is a particular duet I would like to sing with her that I think you will enjoy. Other artists will include Jane O’Toole, soprano and Angela Dhar, accompanist which are familiar names to many of you. Despite the cold weather it was good to see many members, as well as many new faces, at our last concert. Many people told me how much they appreciated the concert so let’s hope we have made some new friends who will continue to support the Society into the next 25 years. Thanks to all on the Committee who helped make the concert possible with special thanks to Albert Whitelaw who spent a lot of time distributing flyers in the area, perhaps that’s where he got his nasty cold, forcing him to miss the concert, and to Johanna Shakes, her mother and aunt for preparing the delicious cakes and biscuits for the afternoon tea. There was mixed reaction to the venue. Some members thought it fantastic while others felt there wasn’t the atmosphere needed for the music we present. Mind you if the church had been full I think there would have been more than enough atmosphere! We all enjoy going to the Austrian Club but I think it is also good to try out new venues from time to time(suggestions are always welcome). Particularly if it means we attract new supporters of the Society. Looking forward to catching up in November and to the next 25 years! Sincerely, Ian Lowe |
From the Editor’s
Desk
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Welcome to our third Newsletter for 2009 which includes the details of all the concerts we had planned for you this year including details of our last concert for the year plus those we have already had shown on the back page. Please mark the date in your diary so you don’t miss any. We intend to include details of all the concerts we have programmed for 2010 in our next newsletter which will be mailed to you as soon as the program is finalized Our most recent concert ‘A Bouquet of Viennese Melodies’ was held on Sunday 27th September at the Auburn Uniting Church and despite cold, wet and windy weather a good sized audience attended to hear and enjoy soprano Nicole Wallace, tenor Brenton Spiteri, violinist James Dong, accompanist Jodie Lockyer and our own Ian Lowe who, while not feeling very well at all, not only sang for us but compered the performance as well. We have included a review of the concert by Don Chisholm on page 5 for you. Our next concert, ‘Christmas in Vienna’ will be held at The Austrian Club on Sunday 29th November at 2:00pm. A flyer giving full details is included with this newsletter. We would welcome any contributions, articles etc. for our newsletter from you that would be of interest to your fellow members. Just send them to me at the address shown below. Please note that I have a new email address. Until next time, Kindest regards, Alan Wren, Editor 1 Julia Court, Doncaster 3108 Email: alanwren@tpg.com.au |
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Snapshots of some 2009 Artists
Shu.CheenYu.&Raymond.Khong
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Review – “Bouquet of Viennese Melodies” Concert Sunday 27th September dawned, cold and wet, with a chill factor of 0c. However, this fact did not deter a solid band of ‘Loyal’ supporters who enjoyed a splendid concert of ‘Viennese Melodies’. In addition to that, a lovely church interior, with excellent acoustics and, for myself, as a pianist, a piano of great charm, soft and gentle tone. Nicole Wallace, soprano Brenton Spiteri, tenor and our own Ian Lowe, Bass Baritone; delighted us with a varied programme. Works by Stolz, Mozart, Strauss, Puccini even Lerner and Loewe and Gilbert and Sullivan were performed with style and polish. Our young instrumentalist was Violinist, James Dong who played the Polonaise in D Major by Wieniawski and the delightful ‘Sonatensat’ by Brahms. Both pieces were performed brilliantly, with wonderful technique and very pure tonal quality. Before the concert started, Gwyneth Smith entertained the audience with Viennese melodies on the church’s heritage pipe organ. The concert concluded with a delicious afternoon tea, which was served in the adjoining church hall. Thanks must go to Johanna Shakes and her band of helpers who provided the spread. In summary, a most enjoyable concert, in spite of the weather, in an historic church. Reviewed by: Don Chisholm. |
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OPERETTA HIGHLIGHTS ON 3MBS-Fm during November. As part of their Friday Night Specials programs, 3MBS will broadcast "Operetta Highlights" on November 13th, 20th, and 27th, followed by Another on December 11th. These programs have been prepared by our own Albert Whitelaw and will be presented by Frank Pam, and will feature selections from many popular operettas, including :-November 13."A Night in Venice" staring Rudolf Schock and Fritz Wunderlich "The Dollar Princes"s with Sari Barabas and Heinz Hoppe "The Birdseller" with Lucia Popp and Adolf Dallapozza "The Spring Parade" by Stolz staring Erika Koth, and Deanna Durbin November 20 "Der Zarewitsch" with Nicolai Gedda and Rita Streich "The Circus Princess" with Margit Schramm and Rudolf Schock "Vienna Blood" Elisabeth Schwarzkopf,Erich Kunz, and Nicolai Gedda "Two Hearts in Three-Quarter Time" with Anneliesse Rothenberger. November 27. "The Merry Widow" Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Eberhard Wachter. "Victoria and her Hussar" Harry Friedauer, and Rita Bartos "The Firefly" by Rudolf Friml with Stephanie Voss and Laurie Payne "The Gypsy Violinist" one of Kalman's lesser known works Make a note in your diary to listen to this wonderful music
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Robert Stolz Viennese Music Society Inc. Inc. Ass. No. A0006443M ABN 24 676 336 778 Web Page: www.rsvmsm.com Committee Ian Lowe, Don Chisholm, Brian Forrest, Pat Key, Kathleen Lopes, Roger Prochazka, Johanna Shakes, Marie Schroder, Albert Whitelaw, Alan Wren, Charles Zahra. For all enquiries about “Robert Stolz Viennese Music Society Inc” Please contact: President Ian Lowe: 9857 0216 168 Kilby Road, Kew 3101 or Artistic Advisor Roger Prochazka: 9762 2667 14/67 Mount View Rd, The Basin 315 Bookings: Albert Whitelaw: 9836 7214 Pat Key: 9457 6449 Membership Secretary: Charles Zahra: 9762 8429 PO Box 685, Boronia 3155
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Concert Programme 2009 February 15th: Chateau Wyuna - Lilydale “Nellie Melba - Queen of Song” concert with Louise Page, soprano and Phillipa Candy at the piano. April 19th: Austrian Club - “Autumn in Vienna” concert. July 12th: Whitehorse Centre - “Memories of Vienna” Gala Concert with Frank Pam and the Melbourne Musicians Orchestra, leading singers and instrumentalists. September 27th: Auburn Uniting Church Hall - “A Bouquet of Viennese Melodies” Concert November 29th: Austrian Club - “Christmas in Vienna” Concert with excellent singers and other exciting performers.
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