Brisbane to host an historic music event of epic scale

Imagine trying to direct 500 musicians and singers in a two-hour, supposedly cursed symphony.

That's what veteran Queensland maestro conductor John Curro will be doing on Wednesday night at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane.

A sold-out Concert Hall will witness the first performance in 30 years of The Gothic: Havergal Brian's Symphony No. 1.

The Guiness Book of Records recognises the symphony as the longest, largest and most technically difficult ever composed. This is the first time it has been performed outside England.

Concert-goers can thank Brisbane community radio manager Gary Thorpe for bringing it to QPAC.

He was at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1980, and since then his dream has been to bring the logistical nightmare to his home town.

"Brian wrote it really without any thought of performance limitations," Thorpe says.

"He just let his imagination run riot. He didn't really think about the fact it was going to be slightly impractical to perform."

The performance is dedicated to the late Sir Charles Mackerras, an Australian conductor recognised as a national treasure, who died in July this year.

Source http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2010/12/22/3099102.htm?site=brisbane

Trip of a lifetime for Oprah's fans

HUNDREDS of die-hard Oprah fans arrived in Sydney from the United States today ahead of the talkshow host's much anticipated tour of Australia.

Arriving on two Qantas flights between 8 and 9am this morning, the 300-strong audience couldn't hide their excitement as they were quickly ushered through the airport terminal and packed into buses headed for the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney's CBD.

For many this is their first time travelling out of the United States and for some it was their first time on a plane.

The mixed bunch of fans includes 242 woman and 60 men ranging from 18 to 75 years old who come from all over the United States, as well as from Canada.

For Patty Turkess from the southern state of Virginia, who is a "massive" Oprah fan, this is a trip of a lifetime.

Leaving behind her husband, three children and four grandchildren she said she'll miss her family but can't wait for the adventure to begin.

“I want to see the Australian country, experience the culture and all the beautiful people here... everyone is so friendly,'' Ms Turkess said.

“Oprah has made such an impact on my life especially through her 'Best Life' series for woman who have struggled with weight and self-esteem,'' she said.

The fans stepped out onto a red carpet at the Sydney hotel and were greeted at by the Indigenous dance troupe Thullii Dreaming, performing a traditional Aboriginal welcome ceremony.

The guests are unaware of their itinerary and information about their travel plans have been kept top secret by the Oprah crew.

Viewed by Tourism Australia as a great opportunity to showcase Australia to the world, Oprah is set to film everything from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Blue Mountains, Byron Bay and the Hunter Valley.

Source http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/trip-of-a-lifetime-for-oprahs-fans/story-e6frg6n6-1225967008031