Tait Winter Prom 2015
with Piers Lane
Dear Friends and Supporters
We are honoured that our Patron, Piers Lane AO will perform for us at The Royal College of Music on November 23rd for our 5th Tait Trust Winter Prom to help us raise funds for our Awards. Piers is one of our most treasured artists who played in our second concert in 1993 at Australia House and has since appeared for us many times over the years. We are so grateful for his friendship and support.
Piers has performed the complete Nocturnes by Chopin dozens of times throughout the world, including to a sold-out Wigmore Hall, in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, Sydney’s Angel Place and Melbourne’s Recital Centre. For us, he will present a selection of his favourites.
He has recently been appointed as the Artistic Director of the Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia.
We will first showcase some of our 2015 awardees:
• Alexandra Isted, violin – Tait Scholar at the RCM
• Tabatha Mc Fadyen, soprano – Tait Award, Bel Canto Awards Australia
• Matthew Reardon, tenor – Tait Prize, Australian International Opera Awards
• Chad Vindin, piano – Tait Prize, Royal Over-Seas League
• Peter Wilson, composer – Loewenthal Award RCM
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Piers and our talented awardees and meet them at a small reception after the concert. For our Friends please join us for dinner at the Polish Club with Piers and our Tait Awardee performers. Please follow the link below to book your place and book early as places are limited
See you there
Isla Baring
Chairman
Tait Memorial Trust
Our awards would not be possible without the support of the Tait Friends, our loyal private donors and our principal partner the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Thank you. Please come. Help us to support these talented young Australians who are making their mark in the UK.
“No praise can be high enough for Piers Lane whose playing throughout is of a superb musical intelligence, sensitivity and scintillating brilliance.” Bryce Morrison, Gramophone
KABARETT!
Night is not only there for sleeping…
Leighton House, 12 Holland Park Road, London W14 Wednesday, 23 September 2015
7:00 for 7.30pm.
BRAD COOPER tenor
ROSS ALLEY piano
This is a last minute concert, as Brad Cooper is in town with his highly acclaimed Kabarett show (which is on tour from Australia). Ross Alley has agreed to accompany Brad to support our Friends and supporters at the beautiful Leighton House. This museum has been recently refurbished.
The house was the former home and studio of the leading Victorian Artist, Lord Leighton, It is one of the most remarkable buildings of the 19th Century, containing a fascinating collection of paintings and sculpture by Leighton and his contemporaries.
Prepare to be transported in the luxurious surrounds of London’s Leighton House as Brad and Ross take you on a comic romp through the best-loved and most popular Cabaret song repertoire. From the wartime hits of Coward and Novello via Austria, America and Australia through to the irreverence of today, KABARETT! is a celebration of wild eclectic decadence and dangerously dark humour.
PROGRAMME
Ivor Novello
Shine Through My Dreams
Tom Lehrer
Poisoning Pigeons in the Park
Noël Coward
London Pride
Hans May
Heut ist der schönste Tag in meinem Leben…
Erich Korngold
Glück, das mir verblieb
Noël Coward
Nina
Robert Stolz
Ob blond, ob braun, ich liebe alle Frau’n
Noël Coward
Someday I’ll Find You
Ivor Novello
Rose of England
Theo Mackeben
Die Nacht ist nicht allein zum Schlafen da
Tom Lehrer
The Masochism Tango
Norbert Glanzberg
Padam Padam
Hans Eisler
Ballade von der Krüppelgarde
Erich Korngold
Mond, so gehst du wieder auf
Dillie Keane
‘Lieder’
Marilyn Miller & Cheryl Hardwick
Making Love Alone
Percy Grainger
Colonial Song
Charles Dumont
Non, Je ne regrette rien!
Dillie Keane
Stick Your Head Between Your Legs
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Brad Cooper trained at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the National Opera Studio, London, and with Marilyn Horne at the Music Academy of the West, California. Now resident in Australia, Brad debuted as Albert in Albert Herring for Opera Australia in 2013. This season Brad performs Tamino in Magic Flute for Opera Australia and Orfeo in Haydn’s Orfeo ed Euridice under Richard Bonynge. With pianist David Barnard he presents Don’t Mention the War for Melbourne Recital Centre, Broken Hill Regional Gallery.
Memorable appearances include Tamino in Die Zauberflöte and Belmonte in Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Oper Köln), Don Alonse in L’Amant Jaloux (Opéra Comique, Paris), Conte Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Opera Holland Park, London), Clem in Hamel’s Snow White (Nederlandse Reisopera) and Davey in Dove’s Siren Song (Grachtenfestival, Amsterdam).
Brad is thankful for the support of Tait Memorial Trust, Nance Atkinson Trust, Johnson Bequest, Australian Opera Auditions Committee’s Dame Joan Sutherland Award and Australian Singing Competition.
Ross Alley is a native of New Zealand, he worked as a pianist and music teacher at the National School of Ballet and the Australian Ballet Company and School before moving to England. In London he was employed by the Royal Ballet School as a pianist, with responsibilities as a music tutor to develop the teachers’ training course and create the pianists training program for aspiring ballet accompanists.
Mr. Alley is closely associated with the Cecchetti Society, researching, editing and arranging music for the syllabi. He lectures on classical music at the Royal Opera House, organized by the Royal Opera House Education Department with the University of London and Friends of Covent Garden.
The Leanne Benjamin Awards 2015
‘An evening with Leanne Benjamin’
English National Ballet
Markova House
39 Jay Mews, London SW7 2ES
Thursday, July 2nd at 7.30pm
Drinks and Canapés
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Sparkling Wine
kindly provided by Treasury Wine Estates
Tickets £50/£40 Tait Friends, £15 Students
Group bookings: 2 for £80
Book here
Enquiries/Bookings: 0207 351 0561
A special auction of signed ballet pointe shoes. Signed and personally used by retired Royal Ballet star, Leanne Benjamin AM OBE. 
The Auction will conclude at, ‘An evening with Leanne Benjamin in conversation with Ross Alley’
presented by The Tait Memorial Trust.
All funds raised will go towards the 2015 Leanne Benjamin Awards for young Australian dancers.
On July 2nd, in an evening especially arranged for the Tait Trust, Leanne will discuss her illustrious career in conversation with Ross Alley incorporating selected film footage of highlights of her dancing and the important roles which she interpreted. Leanne is a wonderful, engaging speaker and this opportunity to hear her relate the sometimes hilarious accounts of what actually takes place at rehearsals and performances is not to be missed.
Last year, the Tait Trust was thrilled to welcome the outstanding Australian ballerina, Leanne Benjamin AM OBE, as a patron. In a long and distinguished career that spanned 30 years, Leanne danced as a principal artist with many of the world’s major ballet companies including the Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, London Festival Ballet, Deutsche Oper Ballet and The Royal Ballet before retiring two years ago. Leanne created new roles for choreographers including Wayne McGregor, Christopher Wheeldon, Alastair Marriott and Alexei Ratmasky. Leanne was also one of the last dancers of The Royal Ballet to work with all of its founding choreographers: Ninette de Valois, Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan.
LBA History
The Tait Memorial Trust in collaboration with Tait Patron Leanne Benjamin AM OBE launched new ballet awards for young Australian dancers studying in the UK. The proceeds from the first event at The Royal Ballet School on Thursday 12th June 2014 were added to this scholarship fund. Australian students at the school including Sophie Moffatt, Josephine Frick, Kiely Groenewegen, Grace Robinson, Harry Churches, Connor Barlow (English National Ballet School) and Kenji Wilkie performed for an audience which included Lady Sainsbury CBE, Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE and Sir Peter Wright CBE. The evening ended with a masterclass given by Leanne Benjamin.
The first recipient, Josephine Frick, was presented with a cheque at a Tait Friends event at Australia House on Tuesday 14th October 2014 as a contribution to her fees at The Royal Ballet School.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE & ARTS
28th May – 31st May 2015 at King’s College, London
We are delighted to be working with the Australia & New Zealand Festival to produce two concerts in the Chapel at King’s College, London, featuring current and past Tait awardees.
Join us for this showcase of young Australian & New Zealand talent studying in the UK. The Tait Trust has supported young Australian performing artists since 1992 and to date have helped more than 250 young Australians. We are delighted to welcome three young musicians from New Zealand and three from Australia in this celebration of classical music excellence.
TAIT YOUNG MUSICIANS SHOWCASE
KING’S COLLEGE
THE STRAND
LONDON WC2R 2LS
SUNDAY MAY 31ST
1:30 PM TO 2:30 PM
TICKETS: £10/ £8/ £7
This showcase includes pianist Chad Vindin (Aus), violist Lisa Bucknell (Aus), soprano Joanna Norman(Aus), clarinettist Marcus Norman (NZ) and violinist Olivia Francis (NZ).
We are thrilled that The Story of the Kelly Gang, directed by Charles Tait (pictured above) in 1906, is to be screened. It was the longest narrative film yet seen, with an original running time of more than an hour, Don’t miss this special event..
Look out for the ‘pop up’ performances at the Festival too…more details to follow
THE STORY OF THE KELLY GANG
SATURDAY MAY 30TH
4:00 PM TO 5:10 PM
TICKETS: £10/ £8/ £7 CONC
The Story of the Kelly Gang, directed by Charles Tait in 1906, was the longest narrative film yet seen, with an original running time of more than an hour. In 2007, it was listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register as the world’s first surviving full-length feature film.
Tracing the life of the infamous outlaw and bushranger Ned Kelly, the film was made only 26 years after his execution and shot over a six-month period largely on the Chartersville estate at Heidelberg, later to become one of Melbourne’s outer suburbs.
Just seventeen minutes of Tait’s silent classic are known to have survived, including the crucial scene showing Kelly’s last stand. The footage has been restored by the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA), and this special screening will have a live piano accompaniment.
After the film, the audience will hear the fascinating story of how Charles Tait’s ground-breaking work was made, then lost, then discovered again by his grandson Angus Forbes. The latter has also written a screenplay treatment about his grandfather, Charlie and the Gang.
Forbes will be talking with Ian Henderson, director of the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies and Stephen Morgan, PhD in Film Studies at King’s College
TAIT GALA CONCERT
DOUBLE BILL: JAYSON GILLHAM AND THE AUSTRALIA PIANO QUARTET
KING’S COLLEGE
THE STRAND
LONDON WC2R 2LS
SATURDAY MAY 30TH
7:30 PM TO 9:00 PM
TICKETS: £12/ £10 CONC / £9 STUDENT
Pianist Jayson Gillham and the Australian Piano Quartet come together in a double bill to present an evening of ensemble and solo piano, exploring contemporary Australian repertoire, and a look back to the forgotten generation of early-Australian classical composition. The evening will include work by Frederick Septimus Kelly, Bach, Grainger, Vine and Sculthorpe, among others.
ROSL ARTS
Rising Australian Stars
Date: 14th May 2015 at 7.00pm
Princess Alexandra Hall
Over-Seas House
Park Place
St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR
In association with Tait Memorial Trust. To complement the exhibition by Australian artist Di Bresciani (see box, above left), this hour-long concert showcases recent winners of the ROSL/Tait Memorial Scholarship for outstanding Australian musicians, including Chad Vindin, piano; Som Howie, clarinet; Emily Sun, violin, Yelian He cello and Yasmin Rowe piano
Tickets £20; Friends of ROSL ARTS £15. Includes sparkling wine on arrival, and wine and canapés afterwards.
To book: Call 020 7408 0214 Ext 219
Partner Event
Daniel Koek and Greta Bradman
Concert & Reception
11th May 2015
6:30pm to 9:00pm
AT AUSTRALIA HOUSE, LONDON
WITH SPECIAL GUEST GRETA BRADMAN
MONDAY MAY 11th | 6.30PM – 9.00PM
Shakespeare in the Salon
49 Queen’s Gate Terrace, London. SW7 5PN
Thursday 30th April at 7.30pm
£35 for drinks and canapés. £30 for Tait Friends
Join us to celebrate the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth at the home of Sir Vernon and Lady Ellis. Artistically directed by Ross Alley this concert features 6 talented young Australians who will perform music inspired by the works of the Bard. Music by Verdi, Rossini, Prokofiev, Porter and more
Panayiota Kalatzis – Soprano (Winner of Australian International Opera Awards 2014)
Emily Edmonds – Mezzo Soprano (Melba Trust Scholar/ Jette Parker Young Artist 2015)
Roberto Abate – Tenor (Tait Awardee 2011)
Tara Minton – Harp
Lisa Bucknell – Viola (Tait Awardee 2014)
Coady Green – Piano (Tait Awardee 2011)
To book
write: 4/80 Elm Park Gardens SW10 9DF
email: info@taitmemorialtrust.org
phone: 0207 351 0561
online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/taitmemorialtrust
Tait Friends at Stoke Lodge
A special reception for our Friends at the home of the Australian High Commissioner, Stoke Lodge.
Hosted by the Australian High Commissioner, The Hon. Alexander Downer AC and his wife Mrs. Nicola Downer AM on Monday, March 23rd at 6.00pm
Venue: Stoke Lodge. 45 Hyde Park Gate, London. SW7 5DU
Time: 6pm – 8pm
We are very grateful to the generosity of the Australian High Commissioner and his wife for allowing us to use their home to entertain our Friends and Sponsors.
Friends: Complimentary
Guests: £20
All 2015 Events
2015
23rd March
Stoke Lodge. 45 Hyde Park Gate, London. SW7 5DU
Tait Friends at Stoke Lodge
A special reception for our Friends at the home
of the Australian High Commissioner, Stoke Lodge.
Hosted by the Australian High Commissioner
The Hon. Alexander Downer AC
and his wife Mrs. Nicola Downer AM
30th April
49 Queen’s Gate Terrace, London. SW7 5PN
Shakespeare in the Salon
Presented by Ross Alley
Panayiota Kalatzis – Soprano
Emily Edmonds – Mezzo Soprano
Roberto Abate, tenor
Tara Minton – Harp
Lisa Bucknell – Viola
Coady Green – Piano
11th May
Australia House
Partner Event
Daniel Koek and Greta Bradman
Concert & Reception
14th May
Princess Alexandra Hall, Over-Seas House
ROSL ARTS, Rising Australian Stars
In association with Tait Memorial Trust
To complement the exhibition by Australian artist Di Bresciani
showcases recent winners of the ROSL/Tait Scholarship
for outstanding Australian musicians
Chad Vindin, piano
Som Howie, clarinet
Emily Sun, violin
Yelian He cello
Yasmin Rowe piano
28th May – 31st May
Chapel at King’s College, London
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE & ARTS
30th May
The Story of the Kelly Gang
Kings College Theatre
Screening of film
Interviews with
Angus Forbes, grandson of Director, Charles Tait
Ian Henderson, director of the Menzies Centre
for Australian Studies
Stephen Morgan, PhD in Film Studies at King’s College
May 30th
TAIT GALA CONCERT
Chapel at King’s College, London
An evening of ensemble and solo piano,
exploring contemporary Australian repertoire
Australian Piano Quartet
Jayson Gillham, piano
Daniel de Borah, piano
Thomas Rann, cello
Rebecca Chan, violin
James Wannan, viola
Music by Frederick Septimus Kelly, Bach, Grainger,
Vine and Sculthorpe, among other
31st May
Tait Young Musicians Showcase
Chapel at King’s College, London
Chad Vindin, piano (AU)
Lisa Bucknell, viola (AU)
Joanna Norman, soprano (AU)
Marccus Norman, clarinet (NZ)
Olivia Francis, violin (NZ)
Music by Mendelssohn, Enescu, Schubert, J.S.Bach, Franck
The AusNZ Pop-Up Music Mini-Festival
Kings College, London
Entrance Hall – Chapters Café (Mezzanine) – Quad (Outdoor)
Weekend Performance Schedule
29th May
The Volta Quartet;
Oliver Cave, violin
Venetia Jollands, violin
Luba Tunnicliffe, viola (AUS)
Thomas Marlin, cello (AUS)
30th May
Olivia Francis (Violin – New Zealand)
Thomas Marlin (Cello – Australia)
Tehezib Lathiff (Voice – New Zealand)
Andrey Lebedev (Guitar – Australia)
Brontë Hudnott and Andrey Lebedev (Flute & Guitar duo – Australia)
31st May
Thomas Marlin (Cello – Australia)
Joanne Leask & Heather Steward (Violin duo –Australia and Canada)
Andrey Lebedev (Guitar – Australia
Xenia Deviatkina-‐Loh (Violin – Australia)
Brontë Hudnott and Andrey Lebedev (Flute & Guitar duo – Australia)
Panayiota Kalatzis and Tara Minton (Harp & Voice – Australia)
Tara Minton (Harp & Voice – Australia)
Olivia Francis (Violin – New Zealand)
2nd July
English National Ballet
Markova House
39 Jay Mews, London SW7 2ES
The Leanne Benjamin Awards 2015
‘An evening with Leanne Benjamin’
Leanne Benjamin AM OBE in conversation with Ross Alley
23rd September
Leighton House, 12 Holland Park Road, London W14
KABARETT!
Brad Cooper, tenor
Ross Alley, piano
Music by Coward, Novello, Lehrer, May, Korngold, Stolz, Glanzberg,
Mackeben, Eisler Keane, Dumont, Grainger, Miller & Hardwick
23rd November
The Royal College of Music
Tait Winter Prom 2015
with Piers Lane
Alexandra Isted, violin
Tabatha Mc Fadyen, soprano
Matthew Reardon, tenor
Chad Vindin, piano – Tait Prize
Peter Wilson, composer
Music by Chopin et al