An Englishman Downunder .. from Kevin Harper in rural Australia

Kevin joins Ballarat's Radio 3BA fm, live in the studio, for a discussion about the 2024 Ballan Autumn Festival

Kevin is joined by Robyn Antoine on Ballarat's 99.9fm Voice FM, being interviewed by Edwina Williams about the latest concert from Enduring Classics,

A Touch of Spring.

The concert is at 2:30pm on Saturday the 9th of September at the Ballarat Anglican Cathedral, in Lydiard Street South.

Tickets are via Eventbrite or at the door. $30, and $25 for pensioners and concession card holders.

For An Englishman Downunder , Fiona Watson interviews Ballarat based Tenor Jason Wasley, a principle performer for the Enduring Classics concert 'A touch of Spring. Held at Ballarat Anglican Catherdal, 2:30pm on Saturday 9 September.

Australian tenor Jason Wasley received a scholarship in 1991 to attend the Victorian College of the Arts Opera Studio in Melbourne.  In 1993, Jason won the Herald-Sun Aria, which enabled him to further his studies in Europe.  The following year he represented Australia in the finals of the Placido Domingo World Operalia Competition in Vienna.  Jason then worked as an apprentice soloist with the Victorian State Opera, undertaking the roles of Sciarrone and The Gaoler in Tosca, Juan in Don Quichotte, Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia and Robin Oakapple in Ruddigore.

After study at Bertrand Russell Institute of Languages in Italy, Jason moved to London where he was accepted into the National Opera Studio. There, he studied and performed in the roles of Figaro in The Barber of Seville, Silvio in Pagliacci, the title role in Billy Budd, Prince Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia, Sid in Albert Herring, Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro, the title role in Eugene Onegin, Schaunard in La bohème and Belcore in L’Elisir d’Amore. 

He worked for the Glyndebourne Festival and Touring opera companies performing in the chorus and covering the roles of the Second Prisoner in Fidelio, Patrocle in Iphigénie en Aulide, Morales in Carmen, the title roles in Eugene Onegin, Le Nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni.  Jason has also worked with the Welsh National Opera’s education programme, which included performing Don Giovanni and Escamillio from Carmen. He sang the Boatswain in H.M.S. Pinafore for D’Oyly Carte Opera, Figaro in The Barber of Seville for British Youth Opera, Peter in Hansel and Gretel for Clonter Opera and Belcore in L’elisir d’amore for Pegasus Opera Company.  He also sang Kullervo in the British premiere of Aulis Sallinen’s Kullervo. 

For Melbourne Opera, he has performed Papageno in The Magic Flute and Marullo in Rigoletto. For OzOpera, he sang Marcello in La bohème and Dancairo in Carmen. For Promac Productions he performed the roles of Pooh-Bah in The Mikado, The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance and Captain Corcoran in H.M.S. Pinafore.  In 2006, he moved from baritone to tenor and sang the tenor solos in Verdi’s Requiem for the Melbourne Chorale, the roles of Don José in Carmen and Cavaradossi in Tosca for Melbourne Opera, the title role in Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex for Victorian Opera and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly for OzOpera’s national tour.

Most recently, Jason Wasley has sung Alfredo in Opera Australia’s touring production of La traviata, the tenor solos in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Sydney Philharmonia, Florestan in Fidelio, Max in Der Freicschütz and the title role in Rienzi for Melbourne Opera, Verdi’s Requiem with Sydney University Chamber Choir and Rodrigo in Otello for State Opera of South Australia.

Ballarat Choral Concert 2023

17 combined choirs sing the closing number "Hearts around the World" - unrehearsed as a mass choir - first time singing togeather.

leasd only

Another interview with a member of the Ballarat Singers.

Robyn tells of her entry into singing and what being a member of the Ballarat Singers means to her.

She joins Kevin, along with her husband Michele, at the George Hotel Ballarat, just before the Monday choir practice in Camp Street.

Robyn joins Kevin, along with her husband Michele, at Ballarat's The George Hotel for a quick interview before the Monday choir practice for the Ballarat Singers. The 'George' is located in the heart of historic Lydiard Street, opposite the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery B.FAG.

The Ballarat Singers and The Little Brass Band once again join together to present a free concert of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols at the Midland retirement Village this coming Saturday from 6pm.

Here are some reminders for the choir along with a new recording of a piece the choir are rehearsing for later in the year.

This recording has been produced for The Ballarat Singers by Saint Dunstan's House Press through 'an Englishmen Douwnunder'.

Last week the Ballarat Singers gathered - thanks to Megan and Bryan - at Cinema Eureka to see the video of the choir sining at Unwin's winery last December. 

The movie, produced by Bryan, was fantastic and we all had a great time -  I tried to get some interviews before and after the screening.

There were a few technical problems with the interviews so here are two of them with more to follow next week. 

Check out the Ballarat Singers on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/ballaratsingers