The Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation Newsletter

Bel Canto Edition 5

February, 2014

This is what we do - build careers and make dreams come true!

Every Bel Canto Award Semi-Finalist & Finalist receives a major cash prize

The Foundation has financially assisted over 130 singers since 1979

In three years the Foundation has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships

In 2014 we will introduce the Elizabeth Connell Prize for Dramatic Sopranos

Your assistance and continued support inspires us all.....thank you!

JS RB

2013 Bel Canto Award Finalists L to R - Agnes Sarkis (Dante Alighieri Prize), Amina Edris (3rd, Deborah Riedel Award & Ferragamo Shoes), Naomi Johns (Winner 2013 Bel Canto Award & designer sunglasses), Kathryn Radcliffe (HPAF Prize & Ferragamo Shoes), Roberto Abate

(Universal Music Prize & designer sunglasses), Marlena Devoe (2nd, Richard Bonynge Award, Tait Memorial Trust Prize, Grand Opera Houses Book)

A Message from the General Manager Welcome to the fifth edition of the Bel Canto Newsletter.

2013 HIGHLIGHTS Last year was a phenomenal year, and in case you missed what we achieved, here it is in a nutshell! The Foundation presented the Baritone’s Lunch, the Joan Sutherland Bel Canto Gala Dinner, four concerts, the Bel Canto Award and a Masterclass with Richard Bonynge. Can we repeat it again? Hopefully, but every year is different. Some things will be repeated in 2014 and some things will change. Rest assured our aims will stay the same and that is to financially assist and promote our rising young singers and to continue to perpetuate the Sutherland/Bonynge legacy. The Bel Canto Dinner at Le Montage in August was an outstanding triumph. Over $350,000 was raised in one night for the Foundation. A grand start to our goal of $3million. 900 people paid tribute to the late Dame Joan Sutherland. Celebrities strolled down the red carpet, world class artists and Bel Canto singers performed, auction items were snapped up and patrons dug deep into their pockets to financially support the Foundation. We could not have achieved this amount of success without our most generous Board Member, Mr Alan Jones, who masterminded the entire project. In fact, all our Board Members contributed to the event, as did the ICCI (Italian Chamber of Commerce). I am pleased to say we will be repeating the dinner on Thursday 28 August 2014, so mark your diaries, start gathering your friends together and reserve your table today. The 2013 Bel Canto Award was won by the 27 year old soprano Naomi Johns from Perth, who is no doubt familiar to many of you. This was her tenth major final in four years, but her first win. Third time lucky, Naomi received the Deborah Riedel Award in 2011 and 2012 and won the smaller JS & RB Vocal Scholarship in 2011 but this was her first “grand slam” title. Naomi will sing Mimi in La boheme for Opera on the Avalon in Canada in June before heading to the Solti Accademia and Verbier Festival in July.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE FOUNDATION

At last year’s AGM the committee unanimously agreed to make the Bel Canto winners Honorary Members of the Foundation and induct them into the newly formed Winner’s Circle as roving ambassadors for the Foundation. This year we are finally able to offer Associate Membership to the Foundation. The former Joan Sutherland Society is no longer in operation, however supporters can become paid up Associate Members of the Foundation for $20 if they wish. Call Annemarie Kinnon on (02) 9817 4919 or see the website for more details.

SO WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2014? As usual many of our events will be held around September to take advantage of Richard Bonynge’s annual visit. However we have a few other things planned as well. This year we hope to increase our mentoring and Masterclass programme for young singers and invite you, the public, to witness this fascinating process. We will present a light-hearted opera highlights concert in Paddington with some of our young singers as well as the Bel Canto Gala Dinner at Le Montage with Richard Bonynge in attendance this year. The Bel Canto Award Final will be the Final of all Finals as five aspiring dramatic sopranos from around the world compete for the Elizabeth Connell Prize on the same day. Handel’s RODELINDA in concert will return. Performed in Melbourne, Rodelinda will star 2013 and 2011 Bel Canto Award winners, Naomi Johns and John Longmuir, plus Lorina Gore, Michael Lewis, Liane Keegan and yours truly with Richard Bonynge conducting. This marks the first event for the Foundation outside of N.S.W. and one we are very proud to be presenting again.

RICHARD BONYNGE RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE Richard Bonynge can add another honour to his already impressive list. Last September he received an honorary doctorate from Monash University in Melbourne.

Congratulations Maestro! On behalf of the Board and Committee of the Foundation, we thank you for your continued interest in our work and look forward to seeing you in 2014 at our many events. Fiona Janes

Inspiring and developing our opera singers for the future!

SSSAVE AVE AVE TTTHESE HESE HESE DDDATES ATES ATES FFFOR OR OR YYYOUR 2014 OUR 2014 OUR 2014 DDDIARYIARYIARY OPERA IN PADDINGTON Sunday 6 April @ 3pm - Paddington Uniting Church A light hearted afternoon of operatic delights. Tix: $35,$30, $20 2014 BEL CANTO AWARD SEMI FINAL Sunday 22 June @ 2pm - Sydney Con. Tix: $35,$30, $15 BEL CANTO EVENING GALA DINNER with

Richard Bonynge, 28 August @ 6.30pm - Le Montage 2014 JS & RB BEL CANTO AWARD AND

ELIZABETH CONNELL PRIZE FINAL 13 September 4pm - Sydney Con. Tix: $45, $40, $25

RODELINDA by Handel Conducted by Richard Bonynge Thursday 3 October @ 7pm Elizabeth Murdoch

Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre Tix: TBA

My favourite photo from last year - complimentary ice creams for all, including our finalists, thanks to Gelatissimo.

BOWRAL BEL CANTO CONCERT - 9 MARCH, 2PM

Starring: NAOMI JOHNS & JOHN LONGMUIR

Accompanied by: GLENN AMER Presented by SHOAG St Jude’s Anglican Church, Bowral. Tix: 4862 1634

WHAT’S NEW FOR OUR 2014 COMPETITION JS RB

Joan Sutherland Richard Bonynge

BEL CANTO BEL CANTO BEL CANTO AWARDAWARDAWARD

Open to 20-30yr old singers from

Australia & New Zealand. Auditions held in Sydney.

Open to 25-34yr old sopranos of the world. Auditions will be held in Sydney, London and New York.

10 SINGERS

20 ARIAS $100,000 IN PRIZES

The battle of the greatest young voices begins! One ticket, two Finals - all in one afternoon.

Saturday 13 September at 4pm Verbrugghen Hall - Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Adjudicated by: Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE, Marilyn

Richardson, Bernadette Cullen and Moffatt Oxenbould AM

Accompanied by: David Harper

Here is your guide to Australia’s most prestigious and first truly international operatic singing competition to be held in Australia. In 2014 the Bel Canto Award will be held in conjunction with the inaugural Elizabeth Connell Prize. Five Bel Canto singers will compete for over $67,000 in Bel Canto Prizes and five budding dramatic sopranos will compete for $33,000 in Elizabeth Connell Prizes. A singing feast for the senses, never before done in this country and all under the auspices of the Foundation. Priority Bookings for Foundation supporters are open. Reserve the best seats today by calling Annemarie Kinnon on (02) 9817 4919. This will be the hottest competition ticket in town. Ten glorious young voices striving for excellence and recognition. NEW SPONSORS - The Richard Bonynge Award will

increase to $8,000 in 2014, donated by the Maestro. Mr Paul Ferris and Mr & Mrs K Troy will be donating this year’s Deborah Riedel Award which increases to $6,000. The Wagner Society of N.S.W. has donated the $5,000 second prize in the Elizabeth Connell Prize. Universal is offering two prizes this year and we’d like to thank the support of Opera Australia, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Metropolitan Opera, New York for their valuable assistance.

The Solti Verbier Opera Project Two of the world’s leading voice academies - the Georg Solti Accademia in Italy and the Verbier Festival Academy in Switzerland - are joining forces to create a world-class initiative for exceptional young singers beginning in the summer of 2014. A semi-staged performance of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore will be presented on 3 August by alumni students from the Solti and Verbier Academies with the Verbier Festival Music Camp Orchestra conducted by Jesús López-Cobos and directed by Sir Thomas Allen. Additionally, twelve GSA students will take part in the three-week vocal course in Castiglione della Pescaia in July 2014, working with masters including Leo Nucci, Mariella Devia, Richard Bonynge and Dennis O’Neill. Bel Canto winner Naomi Johns will be among those students. This course will end with a visit to Verbier for a Masterclass with Thomas Hampson and a concert performance on 24 July as part of the Festival. Some of these singers will then be invited to return in the summer of 2015 to participate in the next semi-staged opera performance in Verbier. The Solti Verbier Opera Project is made possible by the Rolex Institute. This is a life-changing opportunity for our Bel Canto Award winners, thanks to the Solti Accademia and Verbier Festival. ____________________________________________________________

Robert Allman AM OBE 8.6.1927 - 4.12.2013

We were all deeply saddened to hear of the death of our Patron and Ambassador, baritone Robert Allman. Bob was one of Australia’s greatest voices and performers having sung all the mighty baritone roles throughout his long and illustrious career. He began his studies in the 1950’s in Paris then sang for 3 years at Covent Garden before heading to Germany. He performed extensively for Opera Australia and in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Cologne, Hanover, Essen, Zurich, Dusseldorf, Kassell, Mannheim, Wiesbaden, Strasbourg, New Orleans, Houston, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Singapore and Vienna. Bob was awarded the OBE in 1980 and the AM in the 1992 Queen's Birthday Honours and is survived by his daughter and wife Jo who was a long-time member of the OA chorus. A Memorial was held for Bob on 19 January at the Opera Centre in Surry Hills hosted by Moffatt Oxenbould. ____________________________________________________________

Annamaria Kinnon OAM & Douglas Cremer OAM Congratulations to our Company Secretary, Donor and Elizabeth Connell Scholarship Trustee Annamaria Kinnon, and former JS Society President, Doug Cremer on both receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Australia Day Honours for their services to charity. Doug was President for 10 years before retiring in

2011. Annamaria joined in 2005 eventually taking on the role of Treasurer. Both have worked tirelessly for the Society and Foundation, ensuring our continued support for the next generation of young singers and the perpetuation of the Sutherland/Bonynge legacy. Thank you Annamaria and Doug for all your hard work.

ACCOMMODATION NEEDED!!

CAN YOU GIVE A VISITING YOUNG

SOPRANO A HOME FOR A WEEK?

We need to find homes for this year’s visiting Elizabeth

Connell Prize Finalists. If you’re interested in billeting a

Finalist in September please contact Fiona Janes on 040

202 4118 or at: generalmanager@jsrbfoundation.com

All billeting families will receive complimentary

tickets to the Final on 13 September.

THE MASTERCLASS

The Richard Bonynge Masterclass at the Opera Centre for long time members and donors featured Rachel Bate,

Daniel Macey (left) and Naomi Johns (above), who were supported by fellow Bel Canto Winners

John Longmuir and Darren Pene Pati.

Naomi Johns, Jane Rutter, David Harper, Alan Jones, Harrison Craig, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Amelia Farrugia, John Longmuir

Jennifer McGregor & David Harper

Natasha Bonynge Amelia Farrugia

Anne-Maree McDonald & Stuart Maunder

JOAN SUTHERLAND BEL CANTO DINNER attracts 900 guests! With all the glamour and glitz of the Oscars, we raised over $350,000. This Year's Gala Dinner - 28 August, 2014 @ Le Montage, Lilyfield

Above: Dame Joan Sutherland Birthday Concert at Kincoppal-Rose Bay School: 140 guests including renowned contralto Lauris Elms, Renee Goossens and former Society Presidents, Arthur Haddad and Doug Cremer, celebrated what would have been Dame Joan’s 87th Birthday. Performers L-R: Ayse Goknur Shanal, Rachel Bate, Michael Curtain, Natalie Aroyan, Christopher Hillier, Jonathan Abernethy. Natasha Bonynge drew the raffle with first prize going to long-time supporter, Elaine Chew.

The Campaign Continues 1000 people to each donate

$100 - can you help us?

DONATIONS OF $2 OR MORE ARE FULLY TAX DEDUCTIBABLE

Cheques payable to: Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Opera Foundation P.O. Box 880, Leichhardt N.S.W. 2040

Tel/Fax: (02) 4861 2440 Mobile: 040 202 4118

enquiries@jsrbfoundation.com ticketing@jsrbfoundation.com

Tel: (02) 9817 4919 generalmanager@jsrbfoundation.com

belcantoaward@jsrbfoundation.com econnellprize@jsrbfoundation.com

SOL3 MIO DARREN PENE PATI

is featured on this fabulous new album. Hear three of the most exciting young

male voices today singing a cross section of music from Samoan classics to Nessun Dorma.

Out Now on the Universal Music label. http://www.sol3mio.com/

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED This year’s awards and gala dinner are going to stretch our resources. We need people power, helpers and drivers. Join our Events Committee and receive free access and a birds eye view to all the action backstage. If you can help, give us a

call or drop us a line and sign up today.