Looking forward to getting back on the road with Lyster Opera for their regional Victorian tour of Otto Nicolai’s Merry Wives of Windsor, performing the role of Frau Reich. First stop Moe, then Castlemaine, and Milawa. Follow the links for dates, times and tickets, and for more information about casting, visit the Lyster Opera website.
For the last couple of months I’ve been busy rehearsing the role of Isabella in Rossini’s comic opera L’italiana in Algeri for an upcoming Victorian tour with Lyster Opera. The roles of Isabella and Lindoro have been double cast, and I am looking forward to reuniting with tenor Hew Wagner (Ramiro to my Cenerentola) for performances at 2pm on 9, 15 and 29 September. Details as follows:
2pm, Sunday 8 September, Daylesford Town Hall, Daylesford
2pm, Sunday 15 September, Irene Mitchell Studio, South Yarra
2pm, Sunday 29 September, Milawa Hall, Milawa
Below are a couple of rehearsal photos taken by Phil Thompson. Costumes (not pictured) are by Maddie Connellan, and they are truly something—a sight to behold! It’s shaping up to be a fun (and slightly irreverent!) show. The show is proudly sponsored by Henkell Brothers Investment Partners.
Two shows down, and only two to go! See below for some lovely photos of this amazing production.
The final two performances of BK Opera’s production of Massenet’s Werther are close to sold out, so do be sure to book in advance via the following links:
7:30pm, Thursday 8 December 2022
7:30pm, Saturday 10 December 2022
I’m excited to be singing the role of Charlotte in BK Opera‘s upcoming production of Werther. Details are as follows:
When: 2, 4, 8 & 10 December, 2022
Where: LongPlay, 318 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North, 3068
Tickets: $30 (full) / $20 (concession) www.shorturl.at/fvHJU
Cast:
James Penn – Werther
Alexandra Mathew – Charlotte
Jane Magão – Sophie
Andrew Alesi – Albert
Joshua Erdelyi-Götz – Schmidt
Jonathan Rumsam – Johann
Jamie Moffatt – Le Bailli
Directed by Daniel Sinfield and conducted by Gloria Gamboz.
The Lyster Opera touring production of Rossini’s Cenerentola has been receiving some lovely reviews, quoted below.
Only two chances left to see the show—7:30pm this Friday 18 November at The Edge, Federation Square, and 2pm on Sunday 20 November at Queenscliff Town Hall.
Such a fun and colourful production!
Alexandra Mathew, in the title role, exhibited a natural innocence while observing the nonsense occurring around her. The aria “Una volta c’era un re” takes her thoughts away from the drudgery of her existence in fairy tale fashion. The chemistry with the hero Prince Ramiro (Hew Wegner) worked splendidly, with the vocal quality raising the standard from the Music Hall environment, perfectly delivered by Madame Carandini (Rachel Buckley), to genuine opera.
– Bronislaw Sozanski, Ballarat Courier
Alexandra Mathew was everything one would want in a Cinderella. A warm mezzo with an expressive face, she handled the difficult coloratura with ease. The finale, “Non piu Mesta” was a highlight.
– Graham Ford, Graham Ford Reviews
I’m currently performing the title role in Rossini’s La Cenerentola with touring company Lyster Opera. Follow the links below for tickets!
2pm, Saturday 29 October, Victoria Theatre, 71 Commerical Road, Tarnagulla
7:30pm, Thursday 3 November, Karralyka Centre, Mines Road, Ringwood East
2:30pm, Saturday 5 November, Christ Church Daylesford, 54 Central Springs Road, Daylesford
2pm, Saturday 12 November, Oxley Shire Hall, 1157 Snow Road, Oxley
7:30pm, Friday 18 November, The Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne
2pm, Sunday 20 November, Queenscliff Town Hall, 50 Learmonth Street, Queenscliff
Cast:
Angelina (La Cenerentola) – Alexandra Mathew
Clorinda – Helen Koehne
Tisbe – Angelique Tot
Don Ramiro – Hew Wagner
Don Magnifico – Jamie Moffat
Dandini – Michael Lampard
Alidoro – Luke Belle
Cavalier – James Macauley
Accompanied by Pamela Christie and Chris Nankervis
This coming Sunday, pianist Hugh Fullarton and I will present a recital featuring songs and music by Dowland, Stuart Greenbaum, Andrew Anderson, Hugh Crosthwaite, Schubert & more. Here’re the details!
3pm, Sunday 9 October
All Saints East Kilda
2 Chapel Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182
Tickets: $25 (full price)/$20 (concession) available at the door (cash only) or via https://www.trybooking.com/CDAPQ
For more information, visit:
https://www.allsaints.org.au/concerts.html
Last Sunday 14 August I appeared in the 16th RMP Aria Final at Melbourne’s Deakin Edge, alongside soprano Karina Bailey, bass Jack Stephens, tenor Ben Glover, soprano Shania Eliassen, tenor Zachary McCulloch, and baritone James Emerson. Official accompanist Peter de Jager and I performed Bach’s ‘Du lieber Heiland du… Buss und Reu’ from St Matthew Passion, and Tippett’s ‘The Soul of Man’ from Child of Our Time. It was a fantastic evening, and—thrillingly—I was awarded second prize. Heather Leviston wrote this fabulous review of the evening, which also included a performance of Rutter’s Requiem, conducted by Andrew Wailes. See below for some photos of the action, taken by Paul Dodd.
I’m halfway through performances of Aida with Opera Australia, which has so far been an absolutely wonderful experience. The sets and costumes are beautiful, and the principal singers possess thrilling voices. There are three performances left—7:30pm Monday 17 May, Wednesday 19 May, and Friday 21 May—and I believe tickets are still available via the Opera Australia website.
On Saturday 22 May at 1:15pm, pianist Georgina Lewis and I will be performing on Sam Alfred’s program ‘Vocal Chords’ on 3MBS 103.5FM. We’ve put together a short program of favourites, including some Mozart, Schubert, and a song Andrew Anderson.
The following Wednesday 26 May at 1pm, pianist Hugh Fullarton and I are presenting a short, half-hour lunchtime recital at St Paul’s Cathedral, Flinders Street. Entry is via donation. Our program includes lullabies by Stephen Foster and Brahms, and the Melbourne premiere of Andrew Anderson’s captivating cycle ‘Songs of Sleep’.
Alexandra Mathew 
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