Melba in the news
Read about our talented scholarship recipients and latest ‘Melba’ highlights.
15 February 2012: Irene Tanner, a blogger with The Huffington Post writes of Siobhan Stagg’s New York debut at The Church of the Transfiguration. She writes: “This lovely young lady’s glorious voice would have exploded any crystal present.” Read the entire blog here.
8 November 2011: Australian Stage writes of Sam Sakker’s performance as Fenton in WA Opera’s production of Falstaff “Samuel Sakker and Katja Webb are both young performers worth watching, with flawless vocals and a believable chemistry that made their scenes a delight.” Read the entire story here.
31 October 2011: The Daily Post writes of Stacey Alleaume (Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust alumna) who has won the Waiariki Institute of Technology New Zealand Aria 2011. “Stacey Alleaume was announced the winner of the Waiariki Institute of Technology New Zealand Aria 2011 at the Rotorua Civic Theatre last night after three days of competition. She won the title and $15,000 cash.” Read the entire story here.
31 October 2011: The Sydney Morning Herald reviews Siobhan Stagg’s preformance with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: “……while soprano Siobhan Stagg fluttered around the trills and runs of the aria Qui piegate, qui posate (the text speaks of doves) with quiet clarity – at the cadenza one could imagine the doves had found a birdbath.”
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25 October 2011: Melba Alumna Stacey Alleaume was awarded runner-up ($8000 scholarship) at the final of the Herald Sun Aria competition held Monday 24 October at the Elizabeth Murdoch Theatre whilst Melba Scholar Hannah Dahlenburg received the $2500 encouragement award. Read the entire story here.
12 September 2011: Melba Scholar Hannah Dahlenburg and Melba Alumna Stacey Alleaume are amongst six sopranos to reach the finals of the Herald Sun Aria Competition. Next month a winner will be chosen from the six finalists who will perform with Orchestra Victoria. Read the story here.
7 September 2011: WAtoday.com.au reviews Siobhan Stagg’s performance with the Australian Bradenburg Orchestra: “The soprano Siobhan Stagg sang with precision…., opening out more in the pairing with Belinda Montgomery in Dixit Dominus.” Read the entire article here.
5 September 2011: Alice Online explores the fascinating link between singers Siobahn Stagg, soon to visit Alice Springs, and one of Alice Springs’ first talent exports, Lulu Benstead. Read the story here.
26 August 2011: The Brisbane Times.com.au writes of Angela Brun’s performance in Opera Australia’s production of Lakmé: “Roxane Hislop, Jane Parkin and Angela Brun are a well-blended trio of English rose complexions managing the fierceness of the tropical sun.” Read more
23 August 2011: The Age writes of Sibhan Stagg’s success in Austria: “Soprano stars – Victorian soprano Siobhan Stagg has secured a break through in the tough European opera scene by winning Austria’s Meistersinger vocal competition last week. Stagg, who is studying at Melbourne University’s Conservatorium of Music, also won the coveted audience and orchestra prize. She has spent the past eight weeks studying in Austria on a Opera Foundation Australia scholarship. ‘I wouldn’t have achieved any of this without the support of a few key parties – particularly the Dame Nellie Opera Trust, which laid the groundwork in my training and nurtured my professional development,’ she says. ‘it’s good to know I am on the right path.‘”
22 August 2011: “Stagg shines in major aria: Wins three major prizes in Austria” – so writes the Sunraysia Daily. The article continues: “MILDURA soprano Siobhan Stagg has won three major prizes at an international aria competition held in Austria. Judges said the 23-year-old was set for international stardom.” Read the article here.
22 August 2011: The Herald Sun writes of Siobhan’s success: “Siobhan’s double – We are going to be hearing a lot more from Siobhan Stagg. The 23 year old soprano from Mildura, who has just won two major prizes at a prestigious aria competition in Austria, is poised to break further into Europe. Stagg, a Master Of Music student at the University of Melbourne, was competing at the Meistersinger Vocal Competition. She thanked the University, the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust and Opera Foundation Australia for ‘supporting my first venture into the international opera scene.”’
22 August 2011: “Australian wins international opera prize” – artsHub writes of Siobhan Stagg’s success at the Meistersinger Vocal Competition held in Austria last week where she won three major prizes. Read the article here.
20 August 2011: The Saturday Age (Saturday 20 August) writes of Janet Todd’s performance in Kismet: “Janet Todd is a vision of innocence as Marsinah, the purity and operatic strength of her voice a thing of wonder.” Read the entire article here.
19 August 2011: THEATREPEOPLE.com.au posted a review of Janet Todd’s debut in The Production Company’s production of Kismet: “Janet Todd is a delight as Hajj’s beloved daughter Marsinah, very well matched in looks, voice and performance by Josh Piterman as The Caliph. A rather perfect young couple, they are blessed with the classic “Strangers in Paradise”, and their act two duet “And This Is My Beloved” is even more enchanting.” Read the entire article here.
19 August 2011: Young Australian Soprano Wins International Prize – Australian opera singer Siobhan Stagg looks set for international stardom after winning two major prizes at a prestigious aria competition held in Austria last week. Read the entire press release here
2 August 2011: The Sydney Morning Herald writes glowingly of Janet Todd’s performance in Bach’s The Coffee Cantata: “Janet Todd performs the role of Lieschen with great charm. She sings her high notes with precision and lyricism, and acts with confidence. Following Todd’s success as Pamina in The Magic Flute, we are sure to hear more of this fine voice.” Read the entire review here.
28 July 2011: The Hornsby and Upper North Shore Advocate writes of Angela Brun’s upcoming performance as Queen of the Night in Pacific Opera’s production of The Magic Flute. Read the article here.
27 July 2011: The Herald Sun writes of the upcoming performance of Victorian Opera’s production of Baroque Triple Bill featuring Janet Todd in Coffee Cantata. Read the entire article.
23 March 2011: The Australian writes of Janet Todd’s performance: “The finest voices were those of Janet Todd’s beautiful Pamina…..” (The Australian Monday 21 March)
21 March 2011: The Sunday Herald Sun writes of Janet Todd’s performance as Pamina in Victorian Opera’s production of The Magic Flute: “But the standout performance of the production is Janet Todd’s Pamina…..It is hard to convey in words how talented this soprano is. This was one of those times in the theatre when a jaded middle-aged audience gets a jolt of electricity as it is struck by a great new talent for the first time.” (Sunday Herald Sun Sunday 20 March).
18 March 2011: On Wednesday 16 March Janet Todd made her professional debut as Pamina in Victorian Opera’s production of The Magic Flute. The Age writes: “After Mozart, credit goes in particular to……..plus onstage heroine, Janet Todd. The Melbourne soprano is a singer of immense promise and made an enchanting Pamina.” (The Age Friday 18 March) . Congratulations also to Melba Conservatorium alum, Samuel Dundas for his review: “Samuel Dundas (Papageno) is another formidable talent.” (The Age Friday 18 March)
9 December 2010: Several Melba scholarship recipients are among the finalists in the Acclaim Awards. (The Australian)
13 September 2010: Two Melba Opera Trust scholarship holders, Stacey Alleaume and Stephanie Gibson, are among the six finalists of the 2010 Herald Sun Aria competition. (Herald Sun)