I was awarded £750 by the Tait Memorial Trust in 2006, just as I embarked on my first year of post-graduate studies specialising in piano accompaniment at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. This award felt like a welcome from a community of like-minded antipodean ex-pats: it made me feel like I was in the right…
Category: Tait Awardee Update
RUNE
Announcing Alastair White’s RUNE fashion-opera Following the acclaimed release of Alastair White’s (Tait Awardee 2021) ‘fashion-operas’ ROBE and WOAD, the Tait Memorial Trust is delighted to announce the forthcoming release of RUNE, in collaboration with the Divine Art team, Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival, UU Studios and designer house Ka Wa Key. RUNE is the third in the series of recordings…
Richard Bonynge Award presentation by Australian High Commissioner
Last year we produced a gala concert in the Exhibition Hall, Australian High Commission to celebrate and honour the great Australian conductor Richard Bonynge AC CBE. The concert was generously sponsored by Elspeth Turner-Laing. Richard’s contribution to the performing arts over his long career is incalculable…we were delighted to honour him in this way. The…
Stars of Covent Garden in Recital at Australia House
With the full, and generous support of the Australian High Commissioner we were given permission to film several concerts in July 2020 in the beautiful surroundings of the Exhibition Hall of the Australian High Commission, London. The concert series was sponsored by Australian international logistics company, Voyage Control. The second concert featured Royal Opera House…
Kiandra Howarth wins Bel Canto Award
We are all thrilled for 2019 #TaitAwardee Kiandra Howarth for winning this years AUD$30,000 Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award and Foundation #BelCantoAward which was recently announced in Sydney. Kiandra was also awarded the AUD$1000 Audience Choice Prize, and was also placed third in the Elizabeth Connell Prize for Aspiring Dramatic Sopranos, winning $5000. The Gold Coast-born soprano…
Tait Awardee to compete in the 2019 BBC Young Dancer competition!
Chloe Keneally has been a Tait Awardee since joining the English National Ballet School in 2016. She is completing her third year which is flying to a close. As an exciting development opportunity for Chloe, the English National Ballet School nominated her to compete in the 2019 BBC Young Dancer competition. This is held every two years…
Lauren Fagan selected as Australian representative in 2019 Cardiff Singer of the World
We are delighted to confirm that Lauren Fagan is to be the Australian representative in the 2019 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. To be selected as your nation’s representative is a great honour, we are thrilled for her Twenty singers from 15 countries have been chosen for this summer’s competition. The contestants come from…
Glowing reviews for Jessica Cottis conducting ‘The Monstrous Child’
The reviews are in for the world premiere of ‘The Monstrous Child’ by Gavin Higgins and Francesca Simon, a new production directed by Timothy Sheader and designed by Paul Wills, at the Linbury Theatre, The Royal Opera House. We are thrilled to see that #TaitAwardee, and Chair of the Tait Music Board, Jessica Cottis has received…
Connor D’Netto youngest ever Composer-In-Residence at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Connor D’Netto set to shine in home state, in a year of major works! We are thrilled to share this wonderful news about our 2017 -2019 Tait Scholar at the Royal College of Music. 25-year-old Brisbane-born composer – Connor D’Netto, was unveiled last week as this year’s Composer-in-Residence for the internationally famed Australian Festival of Chamber…
Tait Awardees to star in Opera North production of La Boheme
We are delighted to announce that #TaitAwardees, Lauren Fagan, and Samantha Clarke are to sing major roles in Opera North’s production of La Boheme later this year. Lauren is to sing Mimi, Samantha the role of Musetta. Lauren Fagan Lauren was generously supported by a grant from Trust donors, Michael Whalley OAM & Karen Goldie-Morrison…