COFFS Harbour Music Society’s upcoming concert, The Great Aussie Songbook and the Empire, presents a unique blend of Australian history and patriotism with a little opera thrown in.
It is a compilation of widely appealing music that the Society’s president, Dr Leigh Summers, says is a perfect fit for the occasional concert-goer, or for those who have never attended a concert.
“People of all ages and musical tastes will love this concert.
“It’s rare to have such a varied program, and I can assure our audience there is something for everyone at this unique event,” she told News Of The Area.
“If you love great Aussie songs such as Waltzing Matilda, Along the Road to Gundagai, The Dog sat on the Tuckerbox and Banjo Patterson’s rollicking ballad, Clancy of the Overflow, then this one’s for you.”
With a focus on the beloved songs of Australia and the Empire, this concert brings stirring, iconic and patriotic classics to the stage, plus favourites from the ‘mother country’ including There will always be an England, the Road to Mandalay and Old Father Thames.
The lead performers are the world-renowned bass-baritone Warwick Fyfe and pianist Glenn Amer.
Well-known for his operatic roles with symphony orchestras Warwick’s tender yet extremely powerful voice lends itself also to the nostalgic sentimental songs of early Australia, which he adores.
Warwick and his accomplished pianist, Glenn, recently toured regional Victoria to strong audiences and great acclaim for their performances of the evergreen Australian songs that reflect Australia’s colonial past which still stir feelings of patriotism and trigger childhood memories.
Both Warwick and Glenn are committed to saving Australia’s bush songs from oblivion.
Both musicians talk about their passion and their goals to secure these songs in Australian memory, but traditional opera lovers are also catered for at this concert.
Warwick and Glenn will present three dramatic opera arias: Te Deum from Puccini’s Tosca, the equally impressive Die Frist ist um from Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, and Abendlich strahlt der Sonne Auge from Wagner’s Das Rheingold.
Guests will be entertained in a free pre-concert poetry presentation by Alan Gee, raconteur, bon vivant and well-known Sawtell man-about-town.
He will recite several of his favourite Australian poems.
“Wonderful ballads that will make us laugh and shed a tear, revealing another side of Alan,” Dr Summers said.
Alan is well-known as a choir master.
“His choir, eleventh hour, has been running for many years with numerous outstanding performances across the region.
“Alan’s wonderful bass voice makes him a perfect candidate to entertain us prior to the concert.”
The concert takes place on Saturday 15 August at John Paul College Theatre, Hogbin Drive.
By Andrea FERRARI
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
