THE Tomaree Cultural Development Group will stage a series of concerts at Tomaree Lodge Hall next month, bringing artists from across NSW to Port Stephens.
Profits from the Tomaree Sunsets Spring concerts will go back to the Tomaree Cultural Development Group, to be used in its continued advocacy for a Performing Arts Centre for Port Stephens.
The first concert on 7 November will be performed by Elysian Fields, a six-piece ensemble led by Jennifer Eriksson that brings together Scandinavian folk, jazz and classical music.
On 14 November, Stars of Opera Hunter take the stage, celebrating the beauty and power of the human voice. Sopranos Eloise Rowland and Galatea Kneath and baritone Ian Fisher, accompanied by pianist and founder of Opera Hunter Mercia Buck, will perform a program of popular operatic solos and ensembles.
Talented young pianist Anthony Chen will follow on 21 November, bringing a program of classical pieces, such as a Haydn Sonata, a bracket of ‘Water Pieces’ and Chopin’s Ballade No. 4 in F minor.
Mr Chen has a previous history with Port Stephens, accompanying local soprano Jennifer Kaye in the Sea Pictures with Port Stephens Seascapes performance.
Ms Kaye, who is also the concert organiser, said that the community should be particularly on the lookout for Mr Chen’s performance.
“He has been practising five hours a day, putting hours and hours of rehearsal into this demanding program,” she said.
“I believe Anthony’s concert attendees will have a very special experience hearing these works with the waves lapping – gently I hope! – just outside the door.”
Tomaree Lodge Hall will have to be specially reinforced for Chen’s performance, due to the 350 kg Yamaha concert grand piano that will be on stage.
Finally, on 28 November, the Newcastle saxophone quartet Sax Blue will perform a variety of arrangements from many musical genres in their own unique style.
Sax Blue has proved to be so popular that tickets for their performance have already sold out; luckily, an encore performance is planned on 29 November.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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