The White Hat guide to Cheap & Free Classical Music Concerts in Melbourne

Australia Post Opera in the Bowl

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Bring your picnic basket and rugs and enjoy the glorious music under the stars. And be swept away by this free performance of Puccini’s romantic tale of young love, La bohème. What better place to relive a chance meeting by moonlight than under the stars at the Music Bowl. If the weather is fine White Hat expects that this event could be a lockout so get there early. Gates to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl open at 4pm. If you are intending to come to a concert with a family or group of friends, it is advisable that you arrive together or arrange to gather outside the gate to avoid your group being split if the gates close. In the past you have been able to bring your own drinks but only plastic glasses. We will verify this year's conditions when the information becomes available. Our rating: Five Hats

Opera in the Park

Did you miss this event? Then subscribe to our free email newsletter to receive advance notice of events such as this one. White Hat has kept its subscribers Informed since last century and has long become a Melbourne Institution for those Intelligent and Independent souls prepared to look beyond the bounds of either the mainstream -commercial or mainstream-alternative marketing machines. (However, be warned that we can occasionally be a little Irreverent.)

• Suzanne Johnston’s operatic career encompasses the prestigious European Festivals of Glyndebourne and Salzburg, as well as Australia’s major opera companies, for whom her repertory includes the title roles in L’incoronazione di Poppea, The Gypsy Princess and Carmen, Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Hermia (A Midsummer Night's Dream), The Fox (Cunning Little Vixen), Eliza Doolittle - opposite Anthony Warlow - in the sell-out production of My Fair Lady and Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance. Suzanne most recently performed in the Victorian Opera’s productions of Through the Looking Glass.
• Antoinette Halloran represented Australia as a finalist in the Belvedere Operatic awards in Vienna and was the winner of the Australian Puccini Foundation Award in 2003. Her Opera Australia repertoire includes Stella: A Streetcar Named Desire, Title roles: Rusalka, Madama Butterfly, Johanna: Sweeney Todd, Mimì: La bohème and many more. She has also worked with NZ Opera, Victorian Opera, Melbourne Opera and MTC.
• Christopher Tonkin won the Italian Opera Award 2005, was runner-up 'Tita Ruffo' International Competition 2006, Herald Sun Aria finalist in 2005 and German Operatic Award finalist in 2005. His Opera Australia repertoire includes Antonio: The Gondoliers and Novice's Friend: Billy Budd. He has also performed with Melbourne Opera, Romania, Royal Academy Opera, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Chorale.
• Jason Wasley was the winner, Herald Sun Aria; Finalist, Placido Domingo World Operalia Competition; National Opera Studio (London). His Opera Australia repertoire includes Teacher: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Marcello: La bohème, Pinkerton: Madame Butterfly, Morales/Dancairo: Carmen (Oz Opera). He has also performed for Victorian State Opera, National Opera Studio London,Welsh National Opera, Melbourne Opera, Victorian Opera and Melbourne Chorale.

Sidney Myer Free Orchestral Concerts at the Music Bowl - Concert 1 - 'Romantic Favourites'

Did you miss this event? Then subscribe to our free email newsletter to receive advance notice of events such as this one. White Hat has kept its subscribers Informed since last century and has long become a Melbourne Institution for those Intelligent and Independent souls prepared to look beyond the bounds of either the mainstream -commercial or mainstream-alternative marketing machines. (However, be warned that we can occasionally be a little Irreverent.)

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with Lutz Koehler (conductor) and Maxwell Foster (piano) perform: Verdi The Force of Destiny: Overture Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat minor, Op.23 (one of White Hat's Top 100 Concerti) Brahms Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.68 (one of White Hat's Top 100 Symphonies) The Sidney Myer Free Orchestral Concerts in the Music Bowl are one of the highlights of the Melbourne Summer. The businessman and philanthropist Sidney Myer left a trust to benefit the people of Melbourne and Australia. Not only did this trust make possible the building of the public Music Bowl, it continues to continues to contribute to the quality of life of Melburnians through works and events such as the annual free concerts. Gates open at 4pm and the concert starts at 7pm. White Hat recommends you get there early because, if the weather is fine it can fill quite quickly. This is the ideal place to have a champagne picnic with friend under the stars while listening to classical music. You are allowed to bring reasonable amounts of food and alcohol but no breakable glasses, sharp objects, or seating which obstruct the view of others. Before you decide to turn it into a fully-fledged camping expedition we suggest you check the conditions of entry. Our rating: Five Hats

Sidney Myer Free Orchestral Concerts at the Music Bowl - Concert 4 -'Opera Showcase'

Organ-ic Lunch with Thomas Trotter

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Prelude & Fugue in G BWV 541
• Sir Edward Bairstow (1874-1946) Sonata (Andante serioso – Allegro giocoso – Maestoso)
• Dan Locklair (b.1949) Rubrics – a liturgical suite for organ
• Sir George Thalben-Ball (1896-1987) Variations on a theme of Paganini for Pedals
• Richard Wagner (1813-1883) Evening Star (from Tannhäuser) arr. E.H.Lemare; Ride of the Valkyries arr. E.H.Lemare