Melba Recordings

"... a label of fragrant distinction"

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News from Melba Recordings

Go behind the scenes for insights on our recordings, our artists and our future plans. Follow our artists' schedules and share the excitement of their journeys.

Das Rheingold Launch

Thursday, 26 October 2006 - 11:04am

Das Rheingold was launched at a private function at the Australian Club on October 26th by the Federal Minister for the Arts, Senator The Hon. Rod Kemp, in the presence of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE, and Mrs Jeanne Pratt AC, Melba Foundation supporters. Also present were the Hon. John Hill, MP, Minister Assisting the South Australian Premier in the Arts, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Managing Director, Rainer Jozeps and The Rt. Hon. Sir Zelman Cowen, former Governor General of Australia, and Melba Foundation Ambassador. Representing the Victorian Premier Steve Bracks was Parliamentary Sectretary Bruce Mildenhall, MP, as well as many other distinguished guests.

 From L-R: The Hon. John Hill MP, Lisa Gasteen AO, The Rt. Hon. Sir Zelman Cowen, Dr Douglas Mitchell, Senator The Hon. Rod Kemp and Maria Vandamme (CEO)
From L-R: The Hon. John Hill MP, Lisa Gasteen AO and Rainer Jozeps
From L-R: Kristian Winther, Barry Tuckwell AC OBE, The Hon. Rod Kemp, Jeanne Pratt AC and Maria Vandamme (CEO)

 Dr Douglas Mitchell, long time supporter and Board member of the Melba Foundation gave an inspiring speech which spoke of the need for Governments to spend a fraction of their citizens’ income on supporting uneconomic activities which lift the human spirit, such as the world class performance and recordings of the Ring Cycle. Senator, The Hon. Rod Kemp followed with a speech to officially launch the CD.

 

   

From L-R: Dr Gary Joslin, Sheree Brooke,
Graham Kaye and Bruce Mildenhall MP

 Jochen Stossberg and Phillip Sametz

Dramatic soprano Lisa Gasteen AO was Guest of Honour, and performing for the 120 guests present were soprano Joanna Cole (the Adelaide Ring's Gutrune), and alto Donna-Maree Dunlop (Wellgunde / Rossweisse), performing extracts from Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann. They were accompanied by Dr Calvin Bowman, who recently recorded the first solo disc of the Melbourne Town Hall organ, due to be released next year. Also performing was the brilliant young Melba violinist, Kristian Winther (playing Bach), and fortepiano specialist, Associate Professor Dr Geoffrey Lancaster AM (playing Mozart).

   

From L-R: Dr Calvin Bowman,
Donna-Maree Dunlop
and Joanna Cole

 Dr Geoffrey Lancaster

To much applause from the audience, Foundation CEO Maria Vandamme announced a number of exciting new projects for 2007, including a horn recital by Lin Jiang with Dean Sky Lucas at the piano, cello duets by the brilliant twins Pei-Jee and Pei Sian Ng, soprano Rosmund Illing singing French cabaret songs with pianist David McSkimming and a Ravel recording featuring Kristian Winter, violin and Anthony Romaniuk piano. A Jazz series will also be inaugurated with a recording of the well-known pianist Tony Gould and saxophonist Graham Lyall.

   
   Maria Vandamme (CEO)  From L-R: Maria Vandamme (CEO),
Jo Pocklington and Libby Kinross


 

 

Ken Cato and Jo Pocklington

 From L-R: Betty Elliot, Helen Thwaites and Denise Shepherd