Three Opera Companies Combine in Concert to Aid Bushfire Effort

For the first time in history, three of Melbourne’s opera companies – More Than Opera, Melbourne Opera and Lyric Opera of Melbourne - are banding together to mount a charity concert to aid bushfire victims. It is well known that much needs to be done, despite the unprecedented donations in previous months. For many Victorians the dreadful situation with the fires that occurred in February 2009 is far from over. The City of Melbourne’s Lord Mayor’s Fund is at the forefront of aid activity. One of the City of Melbourne’s initiatives is to offer the North Melbourne Town Hall (Arts House) free of charge for arts organisations who intend to mount this sort of event. Singers and musicians from the three Melbourne based opera companies, and the Melbourne Welsh Male Choir, will entertain the audience who will be seated at tables laden with tea, coffee and sandwiches. Tickets available at the door but bring your pockets laden with cash to put into the voluminous buckets with all proceeds guaranteed to be directed to the Lord Mayor’s fund. Some of the artists involved include: *Melbourne Welsh Male Choir – a glorious harmonic blend of males voices *Eddie Muliaumaseali’i – with a resounding bass voice *Dmitri Pronin – Russian song tenor dynamo *Jeffrey Lyons – former oboist of the top New York orchestras *Wendy Jore – soprano, Masters in Music Performance from VCA *Hannah Moore – flautist, Honours from VCA *Richard Hobson – tenor, and board member of MTO, with international experience *Members of the Lyric Opera of Melbourne’s cast of Dido and Aeneas *Vladimir Vais, former conductor of the Bolshoi Opera in Moscow The repertoire will be popular items, hosted by More Than Opera’s Creative Director Dr David Kram, who will tell the stories behind the music in his own inimitable fashion. Concert Details May 31st, 2009, from 2.30pm to 4pm Arts House (North Melbourne Town Hall) 521 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne. Mel. Ref: 2A J10 Tea, coffee and sandwiches provided Entry $10 adults, $5 concession, further donations accepted ENQUIRIES Graham Ford Ph: 9682 5002 Email: admin@morethanopera.com www.morethanopera.com