By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
What better way to announce a national tour than singing it from the rooftop of Australia’s national icon – the Sydney Opera House.
The scene was all the more appropriate for a tour by soprano Greta Bradman, taking in Geelong next month.
The tour comes on the back of her 2015 award-winning, chart-topping debut album My Hero.
“I’m so excited to be performing these concerts around Australia which celebrate some truly beautiful songs and arias paying tribute to some of my musical heroes,” Bradman said.
Among Bradman’s heroes is Richard Bonynge, who conducted her with the English Chamber Orchestra on the album.
Bradman will be accompanied throughout this national tour by acclaimed pianist/organist Rhys Boak.
But many of Bradman’s heroes are not musical or particularly famous.
“I think of a hero as a woman or man who inspires one to greatness – to striving to be the most useful and greatest version of oneself,” Bradman explained.
“There are so many folks who would fit the bill for me. Rosie Batty for sufficiently overcoming one of the greatest personal tragedies imaginable so as to engage our nation in a debate around domestic violence and finding ways of decreasing its prevalence and helping its survivors.
“Paul Francis for his work through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation at raising funds transparently and efficiently to buy medical equipment for paediatric wards in hospitals.
“Daniel from my local cafe who strives to instil in his customers a passion for the finer nuances of good coffee and fair trade.
“There are so many folks working across all levels of the community who provide so much inspiration, both via their achievements and also their striving.”
Bradman also sees opera as an ideal vehicle for people’s stories.
“Opera conveys essential human traits and themes through plots that whilst perhaps set in this era or that are fundamentally relevant today, as humans haven’t changed so much over the past few hundred years.
“As an art form it’s incredibly challenging and the onus is on the performers to convey the humanity as well as the musical beauty found in operatic works.
“If they nail this, then opera can be an incredible experience as an audience member.”
The 18-concert tour has a special focus on regional centres, with Bradman considering it a chance to say thanks to those who supported her journey as a professional soprano.
“I want to perform in regional Australia as well as capital cities because I adore the vastness of this great continent and its people,” she said.
“I believe it’s imperative to include Australia’s rural community – the country’s life blood – in one’s journey as an artist and in doing so to make sure there are opportunities for people living here to experience live performances of classical music.”
Greta Bradman performs 7.30pm on 9 May at St Mary of the Angels Basilica.
