The Victorian Opera Marks the ANZAC Centenary with REMEMBRANCE Today

Victorian Opera marks the ANZAC centenary with the premiere of Remembrance in Hobart today 18 April with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra - a new work based on songs from the World War One era, archival footage and photography.

Victorian Opera's Artistic Director and composer Richard Mills has specially arranged popular songs of the wartime era alongside the poetry and prose of Australian author and two-time winner of Miles Franklin Literary Award Rodney Hall to share a uniquely Victorian experience of war.

Using audio-visual materials sourced primarily from the National Library of Australia and the Australian War Memorial, Remembrance will be a journey through historic moments of the ANZAC legacy - from the Declaration of War, to enlistment and training, the Gallipoli and Somme campaigns and finally, the return home.

Much-loved Australian performer David Hobson leads a cast consisting of students of the Master of Music (Opera Performance), run in partnership by Victorian Opera and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne.

Returning to Melbourne for a performance on Thursday 13 August, the new work will be performed with Orchestra Victoria at Hamer Hall before hitting the road and touring the State's regional centres.

Joining Hobson and the cast will be a large community choir made up of singers from each location the production visits.

"Songs and poetry combine to share a moment in our country's history; a moment that exemplifies our nation's courage, loyalty and identity."

Richard Mills, Artistic Director, Victorian Opera

"The centenary of the Great War is an event of national importance. Victorian Opera can provide unique musical resources to enrich the narrative."

Rodney Hall, Writer and Director

....

Richard Mills & Rodney Hall

REMEMBRANCE

Arrangement and Conductor Richard Mills

Writer and Director Rodney Hall

Video Compilation and Lighting Design Peter Darby

Remembrance

18 April 2015, 7:30pm

Federation Concert Hall, Hobart

Bookings: 1800 001 190 or online at

tso.com.au

13 August 2015, 7.30pm

Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall

Bookings:1300 182 183 or online at

artscentremelbourne.com.au

Remembrance is presented with assistance from the National Library of Australia, the Australian War Memorial and Museum Victoria.

The Victorian regional tour and Victorian Opera's regional hub program is made possible through the support of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.

CAST:

War Correspondent David Hobson

Kate Amos

Nathan Lay

Elizabeth Lewis

Emma Muir-Smith

Michael Petruccelli

Cristina Russo

Matthew Tng

Orchestra Victoria