Sydney 07/2019

One morning in mid-July Geoff and I flew into Sydney. My birthday caused this. As described in our trip to Schwarzenberg, we were listening to ABC FM, this time Classic Breakfast during the month of June. The sound of the Bose weaved over the breakfast table and a mesmerisation occurred that stopped our chewing process. What was that? we exclaimed almost simultaneously after the music finished. Russell Torrance announced that he had just played the overture to Elena Kats-Chernin's opera Whiteley. It was being premiered at the Sydney Opera House the end of July. I thought some lightning had struck for - did I hear what I thought I had? yes, I did! Geoffsey said: "For your birthday, let's get some tickets!!" Well, without hesitation or persuasion, I acted immediately, with G's credit card in hand, resulting in this trip. 
   We arrived at midday, checked into our apartment and walked to the Queen Victoria Building which houses amongst many awesome shops and cafes, the Viennese Cafe. We were not disappointed, the choice of tortes, strudels and biscuits made it very difficult to decide. We eventually settled for a black forest (me) and healthy apple strudel (Geoff). 

Geoff and me discussing dining options

  






   After a stroll through the city, we freshened up and meandered to the Opera House, where, after serious discussions, we found a nice restaurant.

    While waiting fo the doors to the Joan Sutherland Theatre to open I had a lovely chat with a lady. We discussed various performances and she envies us for having Li Cunxin here. She travels up to Brisbane to see his Ballet company. I better get some tickets for his upcoming Romeo and Juliet, particularly because Geoff loves one particular piece of Prokofiev. And isn't HIS birthday coming up in the next few months?

Programme of Whiteley

    


   The doors to the Theatre opened and we took our seats. Opera Australia Orchestra conducted by Tahu Matheson played the Overture as we remembered it. Whiteley is based on the life, love and work of Australian artist Brett Whiteley, who 'found it increasingly difficult to reconcile his creativity with his addiction' (Wilson)*. Composer Elena Kats-Chernin said: 'He [Whiteley] was an obsessive person and quite anxious. I need to have that in the music.'* The programme notes describe her music: 'an unusual rhythm or time signature, or a shifting melody. It might equally be the sound of the piccolo with the tuba, or the piano with pizzicato plucking the strings.'                                                                                                                                                                                  

Stage setting of Whiteley

   To appreciate the music fully I have to listen to it again on ABC Classic FM. Because once the curtain rose I was entranced by the stage design and lighting. The scenery was spectacular. Images of Brett Whiteley's paintings appeared as if by magic as backdrop. I love the boldness of his colours. While I could not decipher all of the libretto, I could read the subtitles. We really enjoyed the performance.

Robert Malherbe: Lithgow, path to water

    The next day we went to the Art Gallery of NSW and perused the Archibald Prize entries. I discovered an artist, Robert Malherbe, whose work I love so much that I will share it here.
     Apart from many wonderful paintings I was astounded by the works of young entrants, some as young as six years of age. This gave me optimism for the future. 

     We concluded our overnighter to Sydney by having lunch at the Gallery cafe with Pam, a friend from a tour we had done five years' ago. Pam and I had a fantastic catch up while Geoff strolled through the surrounding gardens, probably in search of seeds for his nursery :)
   
*Whiteley programme notes.