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…
Tag: Australia
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…
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…
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…
Jessica Cottis to conduct ‘Monstrous Child’ at the Royal Opera House
Tonight Australian conductor (and Chair of the Tait Music Board) Jessica Cottis conducts the world premiere of Gavin Higgins and Francesca Simon‘s opera The Monstrous Child at the newly re-opened Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House. Directed by Timothy Sheader, designed by Paul Wills, with singers Marta Fontanals-Simmonds, Daniel Shelvey, Rosie Aldridge, Tom Randle, Lucy Schaufer, Graeme Broadbent, and Elizabeth…
Songhaven Concert in 10 DAYS!
The Tait is delighted to support the inspiring work of Songhaven, a dementia friendly concert series founded by a young Australian mezzo-soprano, and former Tait Awardee, Vivien Conacher. Their next concert is at St Paul’s, Knightsbridge on Saturday 9th February. More below. Hi all, A friendly reminder that booking is now open for our next…
Chloe Keneally on dancing role of Odette in My First Ballet: Swan Lake – English National Ballet
Following the opening of My First Ballet: Swan Lake in London last week, hear from one of its stars, English National Ballet School student Chloe Keneally. She performs the iconic role of Odette in this version of the classic ballet for young children. What or who inspired you to take up ballet? Can you remember…
“Hear My Soul Speak” Finding Prospero in Shakespeare’s verbal music.
A performance research presentation from Shakespeare’s The Tempest 3 performances only at London Theatre Workshop EC3V. April 13-14. This work-in-progress multi-media performance explores the mind and persona of Shakespeare’s most enigmatic protagonist, Prospero. It does so by investigating the dramatic ramifications of sound patterning in Shakespeare’s poetry—what Peter Brook has referred to as the “verbal music” to…
Stuart Skelton sings Wagner | Concert now on sale
The Tait Memorial Trust is to present renowned Australian tenor Stuart Skelton, at a gala concert to celebrate our 25th Anniversary at St Paul’s Church Knightsbridge, on Wednesday the 13th September at 7pm. “Stuart Skelton’s Tristan is the finest account of Wagner’s most extreme and taxing operatic character…that I’ve ever seen or heard on a…
Connor D’Netto | Tait Scholar 2017
We are delighted to confirm that Connor D’Netto is to be our 3rd Tait Scholar at the Royal College of Music, a generous award sponsored by the Julian Baring family. We wish him all the very best and look forward to working with him as he aspires to reach the very top of the musical…