Spring did welcome us to Christchurch however where mother nature was taking her annual course – the charming, somewhat neo-classical English town with its punting down the River Avon, divine gardens in bloom and picturesque historic buildings although a little worse for wear after the recent quake. Of course The Song Company weren’t without a reminder we were in the famous shaky islands when we woke to a 5.3 quake early on Oct 4 which was exhilarating for most!

The performances themselves have been extremely successful and well received and we have been blessed predominantly with great acoustics at the venues. The regional audiences and Chamber Music New Zealand subscribers have been blown away by the unique nature of our programming, as they rarely have vocal ensembles in their annual concert series and none quite like The Song Company, and their warm hospitality has made us feel very welcome. There have been some unexpected meetings with long lost friends (Mark encountered a fellow singer and contemporary from the Queensland Con in Napier), former Song Company subscribers (from Newcastle and who have returned to their home town of Dunedin) and even former members of the Ensemble (a soprano from 1990) along the way. We also caught up with composers Gareth Farr and Na-lin Shen post the Wellington performance – having sung their works in Australia and on the China tour earlier this year, it was a delight to finally meet them in the flesh.

The premiere performance of Jack Body’s new works of Dreams (and a nightmare) in Christchurch, featured in our Sweet Dreams program, must also be mentioned as a huge success. The pieces were received with much acclaim and beautifully complimented his older Lullabies. The second half of the program greatly contrasted to the divine and more well-known 16th and 17th Century English and Italian repertoire of the first half but we took the audience on a journey through the subconscious with Jack’s music and Roland cleverly devised this half to include the poetry of Lewis Carol, Margaret Attwood, Mark Twain and Shakespeare to compliment the Lullabies and Dreams of Jack’s. It was praised by many as vocally amazing and sublimely entertaining.

Although we haven’t had a great deal of time to linger too long in the various regional centres and venture off into the wilderness, we have discovered some moments of repose and reflection on this whirlwind of a tour (clocking up 11 flights in 3 weeks!) . Rainforest and beach walks in New Plymouth and Raglan (a short distance from Hamilton), a visit to the geothermal region of Rotorua and a few days in Nelson (whilst we worked with the wonderfully inspiring Julian Raphael on the Ensembles in Schools program at Victory Primary School) to enjoy magical landscapes and maybe stop in at a few wineries in one of the finest wine regions in the world! We can’t complain.

Anna Fraser 18/20/10

Surprising, impeccable, breathtaking; if you haven’t discovered them yet, 2011 is the year to unearth the Song Company.

Buy tickets online or request a 2011 season brochure.

Period musicians Tommie Andersson and Laura Vaughan played beautifully and our very own Roland Peelman directed the group from behind the harpsichord giving us a taste of yet another one of his many virtuosic talents!

We had some fabulous reviews and feedback. Here’s what people were saying…

For its musical sophistication, imagination and fun, this is one of the best concerts in Sydney this year. Peter McCallum, SMH

We are long-time subscribers of the Song Company, so we know that we can only expect concerts that are creative, sophisticated, educative and exciting. The presentation of this madrigal-like commedia d’elle arte piece pushed all the boundaries of those adjectives. Further the production was funny and witty, with word plays and multiple layers of idea, character and language adding to the musicality. Jan Larson, Subscriber

I’ve always enjoyed listening to baroque music – it smoothes my crumpled soul. Hearing it together with Drew Forsythe’s antics and plot summaries increased the enjoyment by an order of magnitude. Oliver Johnson

So it was with a certain amount of trepidation that we stepped off the plane in Shanghai and into a waiting bus to take us to our first port of call – the provincial city of Hangzhou with a population of 6 million people some 3 hour’s drive away. I think 15 years has seen enormous changes in China and we were delivered to a very pleasant modern hotel in the middle of the city. The theatre complex was also a revelation. China has obviously taken the performing arts to its heart and as part of the modernisation process has built beautiful facilities.

First performances are always a little nerve-wracking and Hangzhou was no exception. We were to perform three Chinese songs as part of our programme and had absolutely no idea how they would be received. We needn’t have worried however and the audience even joined in with some spirited clapping. The rest of the programme was a breeze and the audience seemed to really enjoy it.

Next stop was the historic canal city of Suzhou. Once again a very comfortable hotel and lovely venue. Suzhou has some very old gardens and we asked our driver if we had enough time to visit one before driving back to Shanghai. We were taken to a 16th century garden hidden behind high walls. Although very crowded, it was still possible to experience the peace of this beautiful garden of lakes , trees and rocks; truly a living work of art.

Next stop Shanghai where we were performing at the Australian National Day at Expo. Despite a busy schedule we still found time for some sightseeing in this most cosmopolitan of Chinese cities. Taking our courage in our hands we decided to use the wonderful new metro system to get to the famous Bund where we did some window shopping and walking along the river.

Expo was a strange experience. We all had to leave the hotel at 7.15 a.m. to get to the Expo site and then spent the next 12 hours in the performance venue before we were bussed back to the hotel that night. During that time we mixed with rock stars and fellow classical artists and did two performances displaying the best of Australia! All in the distinguished presence of the Governor General.

We were all sad to leave Shanghai. The hotel, the food and the shopping were all great. However Beijing beckoned. Beijing is a very different kettle of fish. It is of course a vast modern city, but one doesn’t have to go far from one’s hotel to find the harsh underside. Just behind the facade of huge modern buildings were dirt streets of single storey dwellings with tin roofs held on by loose bricks. I took a trip down the road to Tiannenmen Square and thought sadly of the events of 20 years ago. It was difficult to believe; nowadays the place is full of tourists taking photos of each other.

I found Beijing more polluted than the other cities we had visited. After a couple of hours wandering round the Forbidden City I had a really sore throat. It’s not the best place for a singer to go for too long.

Whilst in Beijing we repeated our Expo performance in The Egg, the iconic performing arts centre in the city. What an experience and what a building!

The next day we did a lecture recital at the conservatorium of music after which the staff took us out for a memorable meal – 14 dishes in a private room – where I experienced my first Peking duck; wonderful.

Our last performance was in the Beijing Concert Hall and it was probably the best. The audience was large and enthusiastic and we were rewarded with a standing ovation.

China was a wonderful experience. It has changed enormously over the last few years; the people are welcoming, the towns are clean and modern , the food is marvellous and the performing venues have to be seen to be believed. We have made many new friends there and we look forward to returning at some point in the not-too-distant future.

• Damien Ricketson (Australia): Shoal
• Gareth Farr (New Zealand): Les Murray Song Cycle
• Frank Nuyts (Belgium): Old Airs
• Alex Pozniak (Australia): New work
• Andrew Ford (Australia): The Averted
• Juan Filippe Waller (Mexico): Our Ray, Our Arrow
• Pelle Gudmundson-Holmgreen (Denmark): Two Madrigals

Two of these composers were also with us on the night to premiere and introduce their work: Alex Pozniak and Andrew Ford.

The members of the Song Company were giving me good wishes and then suddenly we were on. It was been recorded by ABC FM so I had to pass the test.

And what a wonderful night it was, this also being Ruth McCall’s last performance before her baby arrives. With all that pregnancy can do to alter the voice she sang with finesse and grace as always.

Each piece captured the essence of Murray’s poetry; word play, rhythmic complexities and tonal nuances given virtuosic rendering by the singers. This was music to challenge our senses, offering a way to comprehend nature through Murray’s wonderful text and our distinct vocal sound.

The next day we were off to Brisbane to sing at Encounters- another new programme to learn, but for now the Murray was foremost in my mind. This night I will remember well, after many hours spent together gently and patiently teasing out the intricacies within the works in rehearsal.

An incredible journey completed with such talented musicians singing beautifully around me and Roland steadying my nerves with every wave of his hand.”

Lanneke Wallace-Wells (Mezzo) – June 1, 2010

The Song Company were featured in the final festival presentation of the weekend: ‘The Harvest of Endurance’ – a collective composition featuring works by 18 Australian and Australian-Chinese composers depicting the history of the Chinese people and their culture in Australia over the last 200 years – from their initial economic settlement in the gold fields of Eastern Australia to their cultural contribution to western society up to the present day.

The presentation of these works, incorporated with an historical narrative, commentated on a 50 metre scroll which graphically depicts the journey and establishment of the Chinese people in this fair land and provided a rich reflection on the past, present and future of music of these combined cultures forces.

The compositions were mixed in style, texture and orchestration – we joined forces with a number of players (violin, cello, piano, flute, clarinet and percussion) to create an historical audio visual experience for the festival audience.

We were also treated to an authentic and virtuosic performance of the sheng, a traditional Chinese woodwind instrument constructed of vertical pipes of bamboo, an instrument often accompanying Chinese opera. A real highlight!

Elli Green, one of our 2010 Young Artists, joined us for the weekend of new music making and made her debut with the Song Company sextet at the performance. Elli confessed she was a little nervous prior to the performance – I think all members can remember their initial trepidation at their first performance (I know I can!) however Elli sang confidently and beautifully, particularly the vocal duet of Elena Chats-Chernin with violinist, Graeme Jennings, who we also had the chance to work with at the Canberra Festival.

The weekend really was a wonderful and effective example of drawing two cultures together by presenting new Australian works, educating audiences about new music and the history of such cultures in Australia and emphasising how performing arts benefits from the integration of these cultures.

Anna Fraser (Soprano) – June 1, 2010

Read the young composers diaries as they undertake this journey.

Come and enjoy the nine sensational works created in two public performances with The Song Company at the Melbourne Recital Centre (recorded for broadcast on ABC Classic FM) 18 July and at the Italian Forum in Leichhardt, Sydney 19 July.

MELBOURNE CONCERT
DATE: 4pm Saturday 18 July 2009
WHERE: Salon, Melbourne Recital Centre, Cnr Southbank Boulevard and Sturt Street, Southbank
PRICE: $20 Adult, $12 Concession
TICKETS: Buy online or at the door

SYDNEY CONCERT
DATE: 4pm Sunday 19 July 2009
WHERE: Italian Forum Cultural Centre, 23 Norton Street, Leichhardt
PRICE: $25 Adult, $15 Concession
TICKETS: Available at the door

Buy Subscriptions Online

Also planned for next year is our biannual Modart series, which will involve young and developing composers from Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, and we’re also planning another concert to feature new works by younger established or emerging composers only – we’ll keep you up to date as they come around!

We’ll be celebrating our 25th year next year, and to commemorate this landmark year for The Song Company, we are putting together a documentary about ourselves. We’re also pleased to be forming a second ensemble of younger singers who will be developing their professional performance skills with our core ensemble. We’ll also be having several special events throughout the year to celebrate in different regions where we tour, as well as special events for the members of our Business Network.

The current members of our Business Network include Bienalto (who have developed our wonderful website), Principals (who have completely designed our new look), Mayfield Wines (who have sponsored our wines at a couple of events and support us in Orange) and Celcius (who have helped us with a very detailed market research campaign). The idea of this network is to bring businesses together that may have not met otherwise with events created by The Song Company. All of its current members have helped The Song Company through a form of sponsorship or contra thus far, however, any business can join for a very reasonable fee. Please contact Karen Baker on 8272 9506 if you would like more information or to join.

When asked to participate in the Musica Viva schools program in 2007, as my first project with the Company,I initially had anxieties about presenting the music and educating 1000′s of young Australian school students. I took on the responsibility and found that the experience extremely rewarding – that I was learning something about myself as a musician and also realised how vital music education is and the importance of these musical experiences to students, particularly in the regional areas where there is less access to professional music.

One thing I think is marvellous about The Song Company is the ambitious and eclectic programming. The programs are intellectually stimulating and challenging, often bold and intrinsically intuitive by commenting on current issues, and responsive to audiences’ desire for more exciting and engaging entertainment. I continually feel treated by the extensive selection of repertoire that is put in front of me – there is always an element of surprise which keeps my own creative juices flowing; and there have also been some new styles and genres which I have not had the opportunity to sing until now, giving me the opportunity to explore parts of my voice and vocal production that I never considered I’d use in traditional vocal repertoire.

I am thrilled to be a part of this progressive and engaging ensemble and I am proud of the high quality vocal product we produce. Everyday is a learning experience for musician and audience alike – may the fruits of our passion for music blossom always and be tasted by hungry and sympathetic ears, eager for more.

More about Anna

“Their soul and energy will make you look at a cappella in a whole new way”
- R.A.R.B.,USA

Renowned for their extraordinary song-writing, skin-tight harmonies and stunning live performances, Australia’s award-winning vocal and percussion group has charmed audiences of all ages both at home and across Asia, Europe and Canada. Hailed as ‘one of Australia’s best exports’ by the Vancouver Sun, Coco’s Lunch presents an inspiring concert that gets right to the heart of singing – joyous, energetic and full of sheer delight.

Performers; Lisa Young, Sue Johnson, Gabrielle MacGregor, Jacqueline Gawler, Nicola Eveleigh
Presenting songs from their albums ‘Blueprint’ (Nominated for a 2007 ARIA Music Award, Best World Music Album) and ‘A Whole New Way of Getting Dressed’.

The Song Company patrons have been informed of a special ticket offer for this performance. To be informed about upcoming offers from The Song Company and other performing arts organisations, sign up to our newsletter.