It’s hard to believe that it has been only two years since the idea of Aria Cappella began to take root, and that just one year of developing our exciting and unique repertoire has launched us into the wonderful success we’ve had in 2019.
We’ve been so lucky to have been busy, performing in various venues around Melbourne, as well as travelling to Port Fairy and Ballarat to sing for new audiences.
We began the year as special guests at two concerts:
The first was a fundraiser for Renew, a charity providing solar power to people in Timor-Leste. It was a privilege to lend our voices to this great cause. The second was as part of a variety concert sponsored by Cordelia’s Potted Opera in Ballarat, at the beautiful Craig’s Royal Hotel.
Our premiere program ‘Concordia’ made its regional debut in Port Fairy in May, on the same weekend as three of our singers performed in the opera L’Elisir d’Amore in Warrnambool, with GBD Productions. It was wonderful to see some people take advantage of our double show offer and enjoy a whole weekend of beautiful, classical music with us!
Our Ballarat performance led to an opportunity to sing on 3MBS, where we were guests on the Vocal Chords program. We had a fabulous time chatting with Sam Alfreds about our various musical backgrounds and singing many of our pieces at the Lady Marigold Southey Performance Studio. The studio is at the Abbotsford Convent, so it was also a gorgeous photo opportunity, thanks to the talents of Neil Tilbury Films. You may have seen his stunning photos of us in our promotional material for performances later in the year.
We were thrilled to work with Neil again to create some amazing video clips. We filmed five songs in the gorgeous St Ambrose Church, three of which are available for viewing at our YouTube channel.
The last two months have been especially busy, with two dedicated Aria Cappella concerts.
The Victorian Seniors Festival gave us a fabulous opportunity to perform in the surrounds of Wattle Park Chalet. Our audience of 60+ enjoyed delicious afternoon tea while we serenaded them with some of our favourites from ‘Concordia’ as well as a handful of our brand new arrangements.
Just two weeks later, we debuted even more new arrangements in our new program, ‘Romantica’. We couldn’t resist the lure of so many beautiful love songs from the worlds of opera and art song, ranging from the explosive passions of early attraction through to enduring, noble expressions of lifelong commitment. Now our repertoire is perfectly primed to add to the romantic atmospheres of weddings and anniversary events.
In a case of perfect timing, just a week after ‘Romantica’, we were honoured to sing at a 60th wedding anniversary. Alongside five of our most beloved, operatic love songs, we also sang the couple’s special song, arranged by our own Jessica Joan Graham especially for the occasion.
We are incredibly thankful for all the people who have supported us this year, and especially all of you, who have attended our shows and taken an interest in our work. We are looking forward to a bumper year in 2020! Already, we have plans to perform a concert at Buckley’s of Dunolly, and at Gallery 127 in Avoca, as well as a return to Ballarat and appearances around Melbourne. We are so excited for what the future has in store, and we hope you will join us again on our journey.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes!
xxx Aria Cappella
Fresh from our performance at a fundraiser for Renew, a charity working in Timor-Leste
Singing our hearts out at Port Fairy's St John's Anglican Church
At 3MBS wearing our concert blacks and runners, getting ready to dash between the Lady Marigold Performance Studio (to sing) and the commentator's booth (to chat with Sam)
Sporting our new coordinated green dresses at Wattle Park Chalet for the Seniors Festival
Sharing in the festivities between sets at a private event.