Parliament House Open Day; historical/political special occasion

On the 22nd of April in 1857, The Parliament of South Australia sat for the first time.

Today marks the 150th anniversary of responsible governance in South Australia, and the Parliament of South Australia welcomes the public for an Open Day.
Members of the public are given free entry to access various rooms throughout Parliament House, including its chambers, parlour lounges and library.

The Other Pride Of South Australia by Linh

Many South Australians are Adelaide Crows or Port Adelaide proud, but we should also consider the other pride of South Australia. Namely, our State Parliament House.

For 150 years, South Australia has flourished politically, economically and socially, making us a very enviable Festival State.

On its 150th anniversary, State Parliament has opened the doors of Parliament House, allowing the general public to experience the beauty, grandeur and history of the various rooms where some of our state politicians spend much of their time.

There's the House of Assembly also called the Lower House, where you can sit in the seats of Premier Mike Rann, Treasurer Kevin Foley or Opposition leader Martin Hamilton-Smith. The Speaker's Chair is the only seat not permitted for public access. Upon the green carpet are the South Australian motifs of grapes, wheat sheaves and wattle. Adding to the traditional touch is the 'blood or sword line' which runs in front of the Treasury bench and the Opposition front bench. It's to keep the members of Parliament from crossing over the floor of the other party.

A favourite with the public is the Legislative Council or Upper House, sometimes called the 'House of Review'. Its beautiful furniture made of Queensland maple is stunning, the red carpet featuring the Sturt Desert Pea enriches the atmosphere and the lighting and acoustic properties are superb. Most impressive is the President's chair (President is the equivalent to the Lower House's Speaker), which is made of English Oak and carved with Gothic decorations and the seat is covered in red velvet. The President's Chair is also closed to the public.

A personal favourite is the Parliamentary Library, where all its three metre high wooden book shelves are filled with many rare and essential hard covered books/reports/journals/encyclopaedias et cetera, each with a gold embossed seal of identification on the front cover. The erudite would certainly be in their element, surrounded with a myriad of historical literature on every subject imaginable.

Some precious yet quirky literary gems I found while trawling the shelves include Debrett's Etiquette and Modern Manners, Oscar Wilde - A Biography by H. Montgomery Hyde, Dynasty - A Legend, A Family and the Port Adelaide Football Club by Fos Williams (football legend) and Michelangelo Rucci (sports writer at 'The Advertiser'), Keith Dunstan's Ratbags featuring a foreword by Barry Humphries and the book with over 550 subjects to help you entertain, insult and amuse any audience... 5600 Jokes For All Occasions by Mildred Meiers and Jack Knapp.

The centrepiece of the library is the Terrestrial Globe, which stands one metre high and was made in London in 1854. The Globe was ordered by the then Legislative Council Library in 1854 and represented the state of the art mid-nineteenth century educational technology.

Another interesting relic is a copy of the very first edition of 'The Advertiser', then known as 'The South Australian Advertiser', Volume One, edition one on Monday 12th July 1858. It was broadsheet size, all black and white, with classified line ads and no images.

The experience of touring Parliament House can also be enjoyed on days when Parliament is not sitting, with a Tour Guide or Parliamentary Officer. Visitors are also permitted to sit in the Galleries during 'Question Time' on sitting days. For more information, click HERE.

Charity Concert - Six Appeal; review

'Six Appeal' is the final event of the MS Society's recently launched fundraising programme called the 'MS Challenge' which featured a series of events over the last five months.

Adelaide singer Melissa Hann is participating in the 'MS Challenge' and will walk the Great Wall of China and climb the 5,500 steps to the top of Mount Huashan. Melissa hopes the proceeds from 'Six Appeal' will help her reach the target sum of $5,500, with all proceeds for people living with Multiple Scolerosis.

'Six Appeal' featured six talented South Australian singers and comprised of cabaret, musical theatre and contemporary works, starring Melissa Hann, Michelle Pearson, Jesse Frick, Mark Oates and Rod Schultz, with James Clark on piano.

Appealing Sextet by Linh

With so much talent on stage, it was difficult to pick a standout performer in the brilliant charity concert 'Six Appeal'.

Talented soprano Melissa Hann presented and performed, showing superb comic timing and character expression with her rendition of The Girl in 14G. She gave another hilarious performance as Glinda with Popular from the musical 'Wicked', and in the duet with Mark Oates I'd Give It All To You from 'Songs For A New World', Melissa conveyed the emotions of the lyrics with intricate vocalisation and Mark radiated the romantic yearning of the song in his delivery.

A familiar and regular performer in many theatre and musical productions, Mark Oates showed his versatility in songs from contemporary to the traditional. Mark showed vocal vigour in Fred Jones, he brings forth emotional intensity in If I Didn't Believe In You from 'The Last Five Years', also joining Rod Schultz and Jesse Frick for the slow and moving ballad On The Willows from 'Godspell', creating fine harmonies and impressive interpretation of the music.

Barista extraordinaire Rod Schultz shows he can serve up more than the perfect cup of coffee, with his contribution to the concert. In the opening song of the musical 'Parade', The Old Red Hills Of Home Rod brought out the intelligence in the lyrics and poignancy of the music through voice and a gripping performance. His highlight was the drinking song Guv'ment from 'Big River' with his dark, mellifluous tones and Rod's comedic portrayal of Pap Finn earned plenty of laughs.

Best known for her brilliant performance as Eponine in 'Les Miserables' featuring Normie Rowe as Valjean, Michelle Pearson gave a stirling performance as Cathy in Still Hurting from 'The Last Five Years', she captivated and revealed a more animated side with Defying Gravity from 'Wicked', and gives a vocally polished performance of 'Sunset Boulevard' s As If We Never Said Goodbye.

Jesse Frick is one to watch as the talented singer crooned his way throughout the concert, sending some female audience members swooning. Jesse opened the concert with the first two songs, giving a vocally textured touch to These Are The Days, followed by more vocal magnificence in the jazzy What A Difference A Day Makes.

Ensemble numbers included the moving anthem from 'Rent' Seasons Of Love and the upbeat closing song Heart And Music.

The concert wouldn't be complete without the talented and accomplished pianist James Clark, who provided stellar accompaniment throughout.

Recitals Australia: concert 5 - Margaret Lambert and Peter Schodde; review

The second performance of concert five for Recitals Australia was a magnificent display of musicianship from two very experienced pianists.

Margaret Lambert worked for many years in Melbourne, but now is a familiar and favourite accompanist in Adelaide.

Recitals Australia Treasurer Peter Schodde met Margaret Lambert at Adelaide Teachers' College, and they both followed their careers, with Peter in Science and Margaret in Music.

Piano Duo Magnifico by Linh

In an astounding performance of Mozart and Brahms piano duets, pianists Margaret Lambert and Peter Schodde combined their skills to present a glorious offering of musical splendour.

In Mozart's 'Sonata in D For Two Pianos' which comprised of three movements, Peter and Margaret displayed impeccable piano virtuosity throughout.
Margaret and Peter conveyed the brightness and happiness in Allegro Con Spirito with deft finger work, they generated graceful melodies to instil a feeling of undisturbed tranquility in Andante and the dynamic duo brought changing moods and varying shades of colours to the third movement Allegro Molto.

The talented pair continued to impress with Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Hadyn Op.56b. The delicate ringing of the pianos combined, exude intricate harmonies and rhythms, while expressing the themes of beauty, balance and bliss.

Margaret and Peter are each talented pianists, and they create fireworks when they share the stage. Two great musical minds working two masterful pair of hands bringing alive the magic of Mozart and the beauty of Brahms.

Recitals Australia: concert 5 - Andrey Lebedev and Laura Pierce; review

After a busy few weeks of Fringe fun, it's wonderful to re-acquaint with the talented performers appearing at the Pilgrim Church for Recitals Australia concerts.

Concert five was a delightful double dose of musical pairings, both instrumental.

The first performance featured talented music students Laura Pierce and Andrey Lebedev from Marryatville High School who have been performing together since 2005.

Laura is a flautist and performed alongside Andrey on guitar in an enjoyable Latin American and Australian showcase including works by Jacques Ibert, Richard Charlton and Maximo Diego Pujol.

Estupenda Musica by Linh

Dressed to reflect the style of music they performed, flautist Laura Pierce and guitarist Andrey Lebedev delivered a fine concert of sizzling Latin American compositions with some Australian flavour added to the mix.

In Jacques Ibert's sprightly Entr'acte, Laura displays technical brilliance and fluidity in her performance, with Andrey equally impressive on guitar with chord sequences typical of Spanish guitar playing.

Following Ibert's melodious composition, was Australian composer and guitarist Richard Charlton's Sonata ? with movements Allegro, Andante and Allegro Animato.

Laura and Andrey immersed themselves in the wondrous harmonies of Charlton's work, and enticed the audience with sweet seductive unison.

Completing their thematic concert, was the Suite Buenos Aires by Maximo Diego Pujol in which Andrey truly shines in his artistry, capturing every nuance in his interpretation of Pujol's music. Coupled with Laura's alluring and airy tones on flute, the performance was a heavenly sound from two very delicate instruments.

Despite their tender years, Laura and Andrey performed with high professionalism and virtuosity in an engaging and enjoyable journey of Spanish influence and charm.

Cancer Takes Another Life

Sad news....

One of Channel Nine's best and most experienced newsreaders, has died of cancer last night.

Kevin Crease was surrounded by family at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, as he lost his fight with cancer, passing away peacefully at the age of 70.

A consummate and professional broadcaster for nearly 50 years, Crease was an Adelaide icon and a favourite with viewers.

He will be sorely missed, Vale.

For more details CLICK HERE.

J S Bach's St. John Passion review

Although Bach's St. John Passion was not a concert performance, it possessed the same high standard of singing and orchestral brilliance.

All those attending entered in silence, watched and left in silence without any applause before, during or after the performance.

The Combined Choirs of St Peter's Cathedral and Elder Conservatorium, including the Elder Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra provided superb support to Robert MacFarlane, Keith Hempton and Lachlan Scott in featured roles.

Einfach Klasse! by Linh

It was standing room only in the packed St Peter's Cathedral, as Reverend Steven Odgen welcomed and thanked all for attending the special meditative and reflective event for Good Friday.

JS Bach's St. John Passion was performed in German with tenor Robert MacFarlane in one of his biggest and longest singing roles as Evangelista. Robert has a magnificence in vocal quality and expression to match the recitative nature of the performance. Bass Keith Hempton was moving and defiant as Christus (Jesus), while singing in fine timbre and precision. Another brilliant bass Lachlan Scott as Pilatus, has the ability to colour the text with his deep dark vocal tones adding authority and something sinister to the character.

The combined choirs brought passion and excitement to the hymns and arias, reflecting on the dramatic scenes, while the orchestra, under the baton of musical director Carl Crossin, brought to life the complexity, sophistication and poetic imagery of Bach's music.

An impressive performance of Bach's St. John Passion, was initially composed to allow the audience to identify with Jesus' suffering and sacrifice through music, yet it is enjoyable on a non-spiritual level.

Holy Week; Tuesday; Meditative Recital

As part of the 2007 Cathedral Series, the St Peter's Cathedral presented a series of public performances for Holy Week.

Holy Tuesday's Meditative Recital featured the Gregorian Choir of St Peter's Cathedral, soprano Jessica Dean and Anthony Hunt in the dual role of Director and accompanist on organ.

It was a performance of silent observation and among the Johann Sebastian Bach piano/organ repertoire were Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giulio Caccini.

You enter and sit in silence, there is to be no applause before, during or after the performance and you leave in silence.

En-Chanting Meditative Recital by Linh

Gregorian chant may not appeal to some but those who atttended the Tuesday's Meditative Recital at St Peter's Cathedral, certainly were moved by The Gregorian Choir's stirring and inspirational performance.

The chants performed were parts of the Proper Mass including Introit, Gradual, Offertory and Communion.

The unaccompanied monophonic chants continue to bring a profound sense of mystery, whether it's listened to within a liturgical situation or not. The sheer beauty of the male voice in plainsong is an aural pleasure and to hear it performed live is sublime.

Alternating throughout the performance of Gregorian chants, lovely soprano Jessica Dean delivered Ach, Ich Fuhls from Mozart's 'Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute' in an expressive and rich tone, before her beautifully hypnotic rendition of Ave Maria (Hail Mary) by Giulio Caccini.

Director and accompanist Anthony Hunt on organ had the audience spellbound with each of his JS Bach repertory including the beautiful Baroque chorale prelude O Mensch, Bewein Dein Sunde Gross, Fantasia and Fugue in C minor and the enlightening Fantasia on Jesu Meine Freude.

The recital's music, chanting and singing takes you into the spirit of reflection as you are imbued with a sense of deep serenity and contentment.

Bach Holy Week

I've managed to wangle a few days off work to see some concerts at St Peter's Cathedral during Holy Week.

It should be exciting, especially Bach's St John Passion featuring Robert MacFarlane, Keith Hempton and Lachlan Scott on Good Friday.

Farewell Fringe, until next year....

The 2007 Adelaide Fringe Festival has come to an end, but it will return with more of the best artists, musicians, comedians and performers next year.

Adelaide won't have long to wait until the festivities and fun starts again with the Adelaide Cabaret Festival running from June 8-23.

South Australia is truly the Festive State, yet it's a pity the state's biggest and best arts/cultural/sporting events aren't evenly spread throughout the year.

I'm really looking forward to the Cabaret Festival....