What do artistic feuds, idolised composers and 11am comedy slots at the Rooty Hill RSL all have in common? They’re all topics of conversation in this brand-new and wide-ranging virtual interview between Richard Tognetti, Satu Vänskä and legendary Australian entertainer and friend of the ACO, Barry Humphries. Recorded during lockdown from the artists’ own homes, this charming discussion offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of touring performers, peppered of course with Barry’s trademark cheeky wit and featuring plenty of hilarious anecdotes.
“I am delighted to share this casual zoom-conversation between Richard and the great Barry Humphries” says Satu. “The first time I met Barry was in Sydney many years ago. Upon hearing that I come from Finland, he asked me if I had ever played music by Selim Palmgren - the little known Finnish composer from the late-romantic period best remembered for his lyric piano pieces. My jaw dropped as I hadn’t heard the name uttered for years, let alone outside Finnish borders. From the first moment, I was stunned by everything inside Barry’s brain; there is a treasure trove of names all relating to art, music and literature, many wonderfully obscure and all passionately studied for one’s own pleasure.”
This piece is the latest in a long series of collaborations between Barry and the ACO, the most notable prior being the fabulous Weimar Cabaret.
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