Victorian Opera Commemorates ANZAC 100 in REMEMBRANCE Opera, Aug. 13

Wartime music, poetry and archival photography are central to Remembrance, Victorian Opera's new work commemorating the ANZAC centenary. Acclaimed performer David Hobson, Victorian Opera's young artists and a community choir chorus of 100 singers join for one performance at Hamer Hall on Thursday 13 August before touring regional Victoria.

Remembrance charts a uniquely Australian experience of wartime through music, with such iconic songs as "Goodbye to Dear Old Melbourne", poetry including "The Wild Colonial Boy" and parodies such as "That's the wrong way to tickle Mary". Victorian Opera's Artistic Director and composer Richard Mills has specially arranged these songs of the wartime era alongside the poetry and prose of Australian author and two-time winner of Miles Franklin Literary Award Rodney Hall. "Songs and poetry combine to share a moment in our country's history; a moment that demonstrates our nation's courage, loyalty and identity," reflects Richard Mills.

Using audio-visual materials sourced primarily from the National Library of Australia and the Australian War Memorial, Remembrance will be a journey through historic moments of the ANZAC legacy - from the Declaration of War, to enlistment and training, the Gallipoli and Somme campaigns and finally, the return home.

As a War Correspondent, acclaimed singer David Hobson will be reunited on stage with Victorian Opera's young artists following the premiere of Remembrance with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in April and Victorian Opera's Mother's Day concert Heart and Soul. These artists are students from the Master of Music (Opera Performance) program, run in partnership between Victorian Opera and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne. Performing as recruits, nurses and other citizenry, many are the same age as those who served in WW1. They will be supported on stage by a chorus of 100 singers formed by community choirs trained for the Melbourne concert by Richard Mills and Victorian Opera's music staff.

Following this performance, Remembrance will hit the road visiting regional Victoria, including performances in Bendigo, Wodonga, Warragul and Shepparton. Each location will feature local community choirs who have also been rehearsed by Richard Mills and Victorian Opera's music staff.

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Richard Mills & Rodney Hall

REMEMBRANCE

Arrangement and Conductor: Richard Mills

Writer and Director: Rodney Hall

Video Compilation and Lighting Design: Peter Darby

Remembrance

13 August 2015, 7.30pm

Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

Bookings: 1300 182 183 or online at

artscentremelbourne.com.au

CAST:

War Correspondent: David Hobson

Kate Amos, Carlos E Bárcenas, Nathan Lay, Elizabeth Lewis, Emma Muir-Smith, Michael Petruccelli, Cristina Russo and Matthew Tng

Orchestra Victoria

Remembrance is presented with assistance from the National Library of Australia and the Australian War Memorial.

The Victorian regional tour and Victorian Opera's regional hub program is made possible through the support of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.

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