From The Editor

It’s all about the community and the music … naturally. No wonder that Dr Nicholas Milton feels privileged to have been part of ‘many scintillating performance experiences’ as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Willoughby Symphony. This year he celebrates his tenth anniversary with this outstanding community orchestra. Milton spends most of his time on the European podiums with his engagements with the Berlin Konzerthaus and North German Radio Orchestras, the London Philharmonic and many others, yet the energy, dedication and passion of the Willoughby Symphony keeps drawing him back to Australia. The 2011 season begins with Mozart in March, and in August once again the Orchestra will perform the world premiere of the winning composition of the WSOC/2MBS-FM Young Composers’ Competition! In our cover story Robert Clark chats with Nicholas Milton about the new season and his passion for providing opportunities to Australian artists (pages 4–5).

This month Opera Australia brings you Handel’s rarely performed baroque comedy Partenope. This racy new production ‘transports the action to the surreal glamour of 1920s Paris’ and features some of Australia’s best, including mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Dark. This former physicist is now an in-demand performer with Opera Australia. Kalvin Ng talks to Jacqueline about the challenges of her first baroque opera and how physics has helped her to develop a methodical preparation for new roles (page 3).

Wu Man – you must know her name by now – was one of my favourites of the 2011 Sydney Festival. The pipa virtuoso performed with the Kronos Quartet and gave a tremendous solo recital in 40 degrees heat in front of a packed Great Hall. Wu Man has been collaborating with contemporary composers and experimenting with techniques and instruments (such as the didgeridoo) to produce innovative sounds. Paolo Hooke asks her more about this ancient stringed instrument (page 8).

Getting back to supporting the local music community… let’s get out there and be an appreciative audience!

Ildikó