Soprano heads opera line-up

Soprano Amelia Farrugia will head the line-up of the annual Pearl Beach Opera in the Arboretum to be held next year on March 20.

Event coordinator Mr John Greenway said: "Earlier this year Amelia had a stunning success with her debut as Nedda in Pagliacci and last year was honoured to sing for the Pope at a mass for World Youth Day."

Others to sing on the day will be mezzo soprano Louise Callinan, tenor David Kidd and baritone David Thelander.

"Sydney born Louise Callinan who is based in Paris made her debut with the Opera National de Paris as the page in Rigiletto.

"She has since performed Zweiter Zofen in Der Zwerg, Un Patre La Chouette and Une bete in L'enfant et les sortilege.

"Tenor David Kidd secured a role in The Ten Tenors in 1998 and was hailed internationally as an Australian sensation.

"In 2002, David was awarded a Centenary Medal for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Music Industry.

"Baritone, David Thelander graduated from the Elder Conservatorium in 1997 with an Associate Diploma in Music and then again in 1999 with a Bachelor of Music, gaining entry into Honours in 2000.

"He became a full-time soloist with Opera Australia in 2008 and performed in Strauss' Arabella.

"The pianist next year will be Tamara Anna Cislowska who has been acclaimed by The Times of London as 'Skillful and poetic - a true artist'.

"Tamara is one of the best known and awarded Australian pianists of her generation.

"She was the youngest pianist ever to win the prestigious classical music award The ABC Young Performers Award.

"We also welcome back the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music String Orchestra under the baton of Chris Bearman.

"This group of 18 young people has been a great success over the past two years and its members are looking forward to their return to Opera in the Arboretum next year."

Mr Greenway said tickets to the concert would be available in January next year.

Press release, 30 Oct 2009 John Greenway, Opera in the Arboretum