Australia
Man of many roles brings Handel back to life
Star-studded cast for Arts Centre celebration concert
HE has sung and danced his way across Australia in the multi-million dollar musicals "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", "Anything Goes" and "Me and My Girl.
On stage and television, he's worked in every genre from Shakespeare to soap. Movie fans have seen him in some of Australia's best-loved films, including "Strictly Ballroom" and "Oscar and Lucinda".
Now Adelaide-born actor Peter Whitford takes on an extraordinary new role when he appears on stage at the Arts Centre on Saturday, August 16 as the celebrated 18th century composer George Frideric Handel.
In period costume complete with wig, Whitford will engage in a question-and-answer dialogue about Handel's fascinating life and works with well respected television personality, Mary Kostakidis.
During the performance, the audience will travel with Handel through his life. They will witness the struggle he endured to launch his musical career, in spite of his father's objections. They will see him befriend kings and princes and bring a succession of glittering operas to the London stage, while threatened with bankruptcy.
Graham Abbott, Australia's foremost interpreter of Handel's music, will conduct Orchestra Victoria and over 300 choristers in a program of the composer's greatest works including excerpts from the Fireworks Music, Messiah, and the operas Giulio Cesare and Rinaldo.
A dazzling trio of soloists, including the distinguished concert tenor Paul McMahon and Opera Australia principals Tiffany Speight and Christopher Field, will perform a selection of Handel's greatest arias.
The program will also include six famous Handel choruses including the coronation anthem Zadok the Priest and the Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah. These will be performed by the choirs from five leading schools in Melbourne: Caulfield Grammar, Luther College, Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar and St Michael's Grammar.
A Celebration of Handel is at the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, at 7.30pm on Saturday, August 16. All proceeds from the concert are in aid of Save the Children.
TICKETS:
$49-$95 from 1300 136 166 or www.ticketmaster.com.au
GOLD TICKETS: $200 including pre-concert gala reception from 1800 760 011 or www.HandelinMelbourne.com
Save the Children is the world's leading independent child rights organisation working here and overseas.
We aim to deliver immediate and lasting change to children in need.
Further information, visit the concert website at www.HandelinMelbourne.com.