Gala evening at Australia House with Opera’s coolest soprano

AUSTRALIA House will host an evening tonight, with Southbank Sinfonia, in support of the Sir Charles Mackerras Chair. It’s an evening that has been billed a “most glamourous concert”, featuring the talents of Aussie soprano, Danielle De Niese and renowned conductor, David Syrus.

Supported by Lady Mackerras and the Tait Memorial Trust, the event is hoping to raise enough funds for a chair in the Southbank Orchestra in memory of Sir Charles Mackerras, an Australian national treasure, who died last year.

Starting at 6:30pm, the evening will begin with drinks before Melbourne born De Niese, currently starring in the Glyndbourne’s highly acclaimed production of L Elsire D’Amore, will sing a selection of Mozart’s finest arias.  De Niese was recently described by the New York times as “Opera’s coolest soprano”.

The Tait Trust is a charity which supports young Australian performing artists in the UK and was formed in 1992 by Isla Baring OAM, in memory of Sir Frank and Lady Viola Tait and the Tait brothers, who played such an important part in the establishment of theatre and the performing arts in Australia. The Trust offers awards/grants for postgraduate study, performance opportunities to young Australian musicians and performing artists and general help in the furtherance of their careers while resident in the UK.