SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2024: CHRISTMAS CONCERT & PARTY

 

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CONCERT PROGRAM

The program includes works by Wagner, Brahms, Strauss and Beethoven.

ABOUT AMANDA WINDRED

[Amanda Windred has been sponsored by and performed in the past for the Wagner Society in NSW].

Amanda Windred is an accomplished soprano celebrated for her versatility, dramatic prowess, and ability to bring complex characters to life. Her career reflects a dedication to excellence, from her commanding stage presence to her rich vocal artistry.

In 2024, Amanda captivated audiences as Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro and covered the role of Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor with Melbourne Opera. She also attended the Dramatic Voices Program in Berlin, where she workshopped the title role in Strauss’ Elektra. In addition, she joined Forest Collective as a core group member, expanding her artistic horizons in the contemporary music scene. Amanda continues her association with Melbourne Opera as a 2024-2025 Richard Divall Emerging Artist, contributing to their productions with her exceptional talent.

Amanda’s 2024 season also featured the critically acclaimed Villains and Valkyries concerts, conducted by Sarah Penicka-Smith [WSNSW member]. These performances, sponsored by the Wagner Society in NSW, showcased Amanda singing three roles: two Walküren from Wagner’s Die Walküre and Mary from Der fliegende Holländer.

Her 2025 season promises further highlights, beginning with an apprentice role in Melbourne Opera’s production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in February. She will also perform the role of Helen in the Australian premiere of Fat Pig in June, a collaboration between Forest Collective, BK Opera, and fortyfivedownstairs.

In 2023, Amanda delivered a standout performance as Vava in Melbourne, Cheremushki with Victorian Opera while continuing to develop her artistry as a Richard Divall Emerging Artist. That year, she also covered the roles of Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor and Anna in Maria Stuarda, showcasing her adaptability and dramatic depth.

Amanda’s international journey began in 2016 when she made her debut as Mrs Grose in Turn of the Screw at the Miami Music Festival. She further cemented her international presence in 2022, performing as Nella in Gianni Schicchi with Berlin Opernfest. Closer to home, her early career included covering the role of Turandot in Opera Australia’s production of Turandot in 2015.

Her impressive career is built on a foundation of rigorous training. Amanda studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, earning an Advanced Diploma of Opera in 2011 and a Graduate Diploma of Music in 2012. She then pursued a Master of Music Studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University, graduating in 2013 with Academic Excellence. Amanda further honed her craft at the Lisa Gasteen National Opera School (2012-2013), the Miami Music Festival (2016), the Berlin Opera Academy (2022), and most recently, the Dramatic Voices Program in Berlin (2024).

In addition to opera, Amanda has excelled on the concert stage. She has performed as a soloist in Joyeux Noël (2022) and Opera at Langford with Opera Northwest (2017). Other highlights include collaborating with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra for The Food of Love (2014) and performing in the concert Opera Favourites: A Bicentennial Celebration of Verdi & Wagner with the Queensland Choir and QUMS (2013). Amanda also performed in the Swords and Winterstorms concert for the Wagner Society in NSW in August 2013, further underlining her connection to Wagner’s repertoire.

From her early education to her performances on international stages, Amanda Windred’s journey reflects her passion and dedication to opera. With an ever-expanding repertoire and a compelling voice, she continues to inspire audiences and aims to leave an indelible mark on the world of music.

ABOUT CELESTE HAWORTH

[Celeste Haworth has performed previously for the Wagner Society in NSW].

Celeste Haworth has performed many roles as a principal artist in Europe, Australia and Asia and has been a regular principal artist with Opera Australia, the State Theatre of Wiesbaden, and the annual Wien Modern Festival in Vienna.

The Australian mezzo made several international role debuts in Germany for the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden between 2016-1018, with roles including Emilia (Otello, Verdi), Meg Page (Falstaff, Verdi), 3rd Maid (Elektra, Strauss), Kate Pinkerton and Suzuki (Madama Butterfly, Puccini), Innkeeper (Boris Godunov, Mussorgsky), Marcellina (Le Nozze Di Figaro, Mozart), and notably as Charlotte in Zimmerman’s challenging Die Soldaten. All performances were a critical and public success.

She has also given several recitals at Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Giessen Musik Festival, Schloss Burg Reichenstein, Trechtingshausen and Kammer Musik Wiesbaden.

Celeste performed extensively as a soloist with renowned orchestras including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Early Music Ensemble, the Deutsches Kammer Orchester in connection with the Frankfurter Philharmoniker, Wien Residenz Orchester and the Sydney Sinfonietta.

Currently based in Sydney as an artist with Opera Australia, Celeste has been singing at the Sydney Opera House, starting with Opera Australia’s Great Opera Hits Concert Series in 2019. Celeste has added to her Opera Australia repertoire ever since, including her acclaimed role debut of Flora in La Traviata on Sydney Harbour, Mercedes in Opera Australia’s National 2020 Tour of Carmen, the continuation of the Great Opera Hits Concert Series, and her reprisal of Flora in 2022 in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Celeste was delighted to step into more dramatic repertoire with her role debut as First Norn in Opera Australia’s 2023 Ring Cycle, whilst simultaneously covering the role of Erda. More recently for Opera Australia Celeste performed the role of the Monitor in Suor Angelica and covered the role of Ciesca in Gianni Schicci.

Recent concert work includes the alto soloist in Mahler’s 2nd, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Verdi’s Requiem.

 

ABOUT YERIM LEE 

Yerim Lee is a highly regarded collaborative pianist known for her extensive repertoire and strong artistic commitment in her musical collaborations. Her approach to interpretation and interaction with fellow musicians is characterised by creativity and musical insight.

Originally from Korea, Yerim Lee moved to Australia in 2011 and shifted her focus to a career as a collaborative pianist. She earned her Master of Music in Collaborative Piano while studying under notable mentors like Jeanell Carrigan, David Miller, and Phillip Shovk.

For the past decade, Yerim Lee has been an integral part of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, working as a chamber pianist. Her skills have been in demand by various musical institutions, and she has been a regular associate artist at events like the International Viola Convention, the Sydney Eisteddfod, and the masterclasses organised by the Sydney International Piano Competition.

Yerim Lee has showcased her talents through numerous recitals, often collaborating with respected Australian musicians. She has also performed at the Sydney Opera House, participating in events such as the International Honours Performance with the Carnegie Hall Festival Choir, conducted by Dr Lynne Gackle, and as a guest artist in the world premiere of Matthew Hindson's Electric Rain in 2019. And she performed as Co-soloist in the world premiere of Daniel Rojas' Danza & Romanza de las Muertos for piano four hands and symphony orchestra, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, in the Villains and Valkyries concerts, conducted by Sarah Penicka-Smith [WSNSW member] in 2023. In 2024, Yerim performed as a chamber pianist at the Orange Chamber Music Festival.

As an established artist, Yerim Lee is currently holds position at the collaborative faculty of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, remains actively involved in various performance and pedagogical roles, supporting emerging and professional musicians in their artistic journeys.