From Anvil to Bared Steel - Oriana's Season of Opera

Having enjoyed tremendous success with Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”, followed by the sublime beauties of “Lux Aeterna”, and a wonderful, ovation-filled concert tour of Italy, Sunshine Coast’s Oriana Choir is preparing for its final concert offering for 2019, “Opera Choruses: Songs You Know And Love”. It is a programme of well-known and well-loved chorus pieces from works by Mozart, Verdi, Offenbach, Wagner and more, as well as a delightful sampling of choruses from the much loved operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Our Music Director for this final season of 2019 is Mr. Benjamin Oxley. Ben comes to Oriana with a wealth of experience and expertise. He studied at the Tasmanian Conservatorium, and has performed as a tenor with Opera Queensland, Opera Australia and the English National Opera; he has worked with many leading conductors, including Richard Bonynge and Sir Charles Mackerras, and has performed in many Operatic and Oratorio productions. You can learn more about Ben’s work and achievements at Oriana’s website, www.oriana.org.au .

Rehearsals are well along, and the whole choir is enjoying the challenge of learning this material, which is a big change from the previous two seasons. It’s a delight to be able to bring out our ‘operatic’ voices. And it’s a pleasure to get to grips with such operatic ‘classics’ as “Va Pensiero”, “The Bridal Chorus”, “Anvil Chorus” and “Brindisi” – pieces that everyone knows – and putting in the hard work that’s necessary to make them sound effortless. And the timeless songs from W.S. Gilbert, put to the delightful melodies of Sir Arthur Sullivan, are pure light-hearted, unadulterated fun.

Don’t miss out on “G & S and Opera Choruses: Songs You Know And Love”. We know you’re going to love it!

Bookings are now open online for:

Caloundra Uniting Church, Queen St: Saturday 14th Dec Click HERE

Buderim War Memorial Hall, 1 Main St Sunday 15th Dec Click HERE