Amanda Cole (mezzo-soprano) and Janet Brewer (piano & harpsichord) and obbligato viola player (details forthcoming) take you on a wondrous journey through German song, from the hauntingly beautiful chant of Hildegard of Bingen to the seductive allure of Kurt Weill. This exquisite program features some of our favourite composers–Bach, Handel, Schubert, Beethoven and Brahms–as well as those less well-known such as Clara Schumann, Albert, Prince Consort (Queen Victoria’s husband) and Henry Handel Richardson–famed Australian author of The Getting of Wisdom. Cole has collaborated with international performance coach and director, Catherine Madden, to create a dynamic, theatrical and compelling event. A rarity in chamber music performances, this semi-staging gives the listener a rare connection and intimacy with the German song, opera and oratorio repertoire.

Venue Format
Theatre, Hall
Technical Rating
C, D
Touring Party
5-6
Considerations

Venue has a good quality piano or the presenters need to hire one. The piano needs to be tuned prior to each concert. There should also be room for the performer's harpsichord (slightly smaller than a grand piano).

We aim to entertain, inspire and educate an audience, which may include everyone from the general public from amateur music lovers to professional musicians. The aim is for the audience to experience music in a way that is direct, dramatic, communicative and uplifting. As performers our ultimate goal is to reveal the genius of the composer and the marvels of their creation and to offer a glimpse of humanity and human-ness not previously experienced. What is behind the music that can inspire and uplift our human experience and purpose?

Company Website
amandacolemezzo.com

Unique Selling Point

Thoughtfully and uniquely curated, this collection of beautiful works has a semi-staged aspect to it, offering both amateur and professional music lovers an unusual intimacy and connection with a chamber music program. Even though some of the songs are in languages other than English, Cole and Brewer, under the theatrical direction of Catherine Madden, manage to draw the listener into the spell of this magical and hypnotic recital.

Marketing Materials

A short promotional DVD will soon be available. Recordings of individual songs may also be available (awaiting editing).

Community Engagement

This show celebrates the depth and richness of the German musical tradition, offering a glimpse into a culture that prizes art. This show is an uplifting experience in its celebration of the heights of artistic expression across eight centuries. The concert ends with a passionate rendition of Kurt Weill's famous tango, Youkali, complete with percussion and an improvised piano and string accompaniment, leaving the audience inspired and wanting to know and learn more about European culture and art. One audience member claimed that this concert had made her "fall in love with the arts" and felt excited and enlightened by her experience.

Workshops could be offered, using excerpts from the show, on chamber music, German song, early music, the history of music in Germany, creating a narrative thread in music recitals.