Sunraysia's own international soprano, Siobhan Stagg, who has captured hearts around the world with her incredible voice and stage presence, will return home for a special performance at the Mildura Arts Centre this month.
Siobhan will be accompanied by well-known pianist, Nico de Villiers to present 'Echoed Voices' on Sunday 28 July 2024 from 6pm. The talented duo will perform a recital of songs by Dutch-American composer and conductor Richard Hageman, alongside songs by Richard Strauss and Henri Duparc.
Limited tickets are available to purchase through the Mildura Arts Centre website at milduraartscentre.com.au
Mildura Mayor Liam Wood and Councillor for Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Healy said the performance is set to inspire upcoming artists across our region and will undoubtedly be a highlight for Mildura's arts and cultural scene this year.
"Siobhan's remarkable career has taken her to renowned venues around the world, and we are so excited to have her perform back on the stage where it all began for her," Cr Wood said.
"Siobhan's journey from Mildura to the international stage is truly inspirational, and we have proudly acknowledged her achievements with the presentation of the Keys to the City just last year," Cr Healy said.
"We're so fortunate to call Siobhan one of our own, and even more fortunate to be able to experience an international act of her calibre without leaving Mildura."
Siobhan and Nico are touring the program through most of the Australian capital cities including Sydney Opera House, Adelaide, Hobart, Brisbane and Canberra, and have added a special performance in Mildura for Siobhan's original home crowd.
"This is music which grabs the heartstrings within seconds," Siobhan said.
"It's crazy to think it's been 25 years since I first performed at the Mildura Arts Centre as a shy 11-year-old in the Eisteddfod. I stood in the wings, jittering with nerves and quite unsure of myself. Back then, I could never have imagined where my voice would lead me - to recording CDs and playing lead roles like Cinderella on major stages around Europe, America and the UK, singing for thousands of people each week, from school kids to royalty.
"My life has changed completely since my Mildura days, but my love of storytelling through song remains the same. I can't wait to share this beautiful program with Sunraysia audiences; can't wait for you to hear the moving melodies of this unfairly forgotten composer, Richard Hageman. It's the stuff of goosebumps. I hope you'll join us for a very special night at the Mildura Arts Centre: a new musical experience, with some nostalgia thrown in for good measure."
Nico de Villiers said he is looking forward to his first visit to Australia.
"Siobhan and I curated Echoed Voices to introduce Richard Hageman (1881-1966), a forgotten composer, to our audiences and to put him into context with two stalwarts of the Romantic art song genre," Nico said.
"What to expect from Hageman's sound world? Imagine luscious harmonies supporting swooping melodies that remind of the iconic, big screen scores of Hollywood's Golden Age transferred into the miniature form of art song."
For those wanting to treat themselves to the ultimate Mildura escape, limited packages are on offer via the Visit Mildura website at book.visitmildura.com.au/packages
The exclusive packages include accommodation at the Quality Hotel Mildura Grand, dining experiences at The Spanish Grill and Mildura Brewery and Pub, and a scenic river cruise with Mildura Cruises before enjoying the performance at the Mildura Arts Centre.
