Right: Laura Vaughan will pair with Amy Valent Curlis at Yileena Park in ‘A Meeting of Strangers”.
By Kath Gannaway
MELBA’S spirit will be alive and well in the Yarra Valley when the best new talent and classical world’s most seasoned performers arrive for the annual Melba Festival on 15, 16 and 17 October.
The Yarra Valley will play host to what organisers describe as a smaller, more intimate version of the traditional festival.
Building on the success and hard work of previous festivals, the 2010 event is expected to bring in more than 3,500 people over the three days.
A classical musical festival now in its fifth year it combines food, wine and classical music at wineries and other locations around the Yarra Valley.
Artistic director Caroline Stacey has created a program in which emerging artists are partnered with established artists, acknowledging musical lineages within Australian music.
Events include The Sopranos as part of the gala opening night on Friday, 15 October at Domaine Chandon. Established artists Antoinette Halloran and Beth Williams will perform with six brilliant Melba Trust scholarship recipients.
On Saturday, 16 October three events will present a full day of entertainment.
Aloysius Music Box will see students perform their favourite classic music in Bell Street stores from 10am to 1pm.
Turner on Brel is a lunchtime performance at De Bortoli Wines which celebrates the music of internationally renowned composer Jacques Brel. Australian music theatre legend Geraldine Turner and Brel specialist Michael Morley partner for the unique event.
The Wicked Voice sees internationally renowned composer and pianist Larry Sitsky team with acting legend Lewis Fiander to produce a unique style of theatre at Mandala Wines from 6pm to 9.30pm.
Sunday, 17 October provides another day rich in classical international music, food and wine.
Five Rooms from noon to 3pm at Hargreaves Hill in Yarra Glen will incorporate performances in each of the five main rooms, each reflecting the theme of the room from English traditional to rich Mediterranean flavours.
A meeting of Strangers at Yileena Park in Yarra Glen combines the musical forces of Laura Vaughan and Amy Valent Curlis presenting music spanning five centuries from the Renaissance to the 21st century. Discover more about each Melba Festival event at www.melbafestival.com.au, or phone 9262 6555.
