Inverell’s Opera in the Paddock has received a $5000 grant towards artist fees for this year’s concert on Saturday, March 15.

Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay made the announcement on Sunday.

“This is an outstanding event with high professional standards and attracts a huge audience each year,” he said.

“I have attended with friends for the last five years and am going again this year. I wouldn’t miss it.

“It continues to grow and expand and offers a great program, wonderful artists and a superb venue. It’s a credit to the organisers who continue to attract singers and musicians of such high calibre to our area.”

This marks the seventh year Peta and Bill Blyth have organised the opera concert under the stars on their farming property “Mimosa” at Delungra, near Inverell.

It attracts audiences from throughout the region, Brisbane, Sydney and southern Queensland to experience the performances of some of Australia’s best and most versatile professional singers.

This year a second event is being offered involving the visiting artists to complement the Saturday evening opera concert.

A Lieder concert, Twilight Recital of German Song will be held at the Inverell Town Hall at 6.15 pm on Friday, March 14, featuring works by Schubert, Brahms, Schumann and Strauss for piano and voice.

The German Consulate and QantasLink are sponsoring this event which will feature regular Opera in the Paddock performers, Peta Blyth (soprano) Elizabeth Campbell (mezzo soprano), Shaun Brown (baritone) and David Hibbard (bass) with David Miller (piano).

For the main paddock concert on Saturday evening the singers will be joined by Melbourne based tenor James Egglestone performing in the Paddock for the first time.

The program includes works by Handel, duets by Bellini and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Flotow’s Vocal score, Martha and selections from works by Porter.

The Mimosa Ensemble will again feature with selected instrumental favourites.

© 2008 Inverell Times

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