riverwall - Wombat Hollow

RIVERWALL born regionally, delivering nationally, recognised globally Riverwall heralds a new paradigm in Australian Opera and concert performance. Internationally acclaimed opera star Australian Baritone Peter Coleman-­‐Wright and local Moss Vale based Heldentenor Richard Lane lead a vision as bold as it is romantic. It takes inspiration from three of the world’s outstanding opera and music enterprises: the UK’s Glynebourne, Garsington and Aldenburgh. Sharing Peter and Richard’s vision are highly acclaimed international soloist Cheryl Barker together with conductor Stephen Mould, Chair of Opera Production and Senior Lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (Syd Uni) and Cath Dadd, one of Australia’s most respected and experienced theatre practitioners. Riverwall is currently undergoing NFP constitution formation (Gilbert + Tobin) and will be on the Register of Cultural Organisations. Having ‘tax deductibility’ will enable Riverwall to approach three critical funding sources: corporate sponsorship, private philanthropy and government grants (though the latter is recognised as limited, sporadic and likely to diminish). Additional revenue sources from ticket sales to merchandising will further contribute. Riverwall will provide opportunities and pathways for Australian singers, conductors, musicians, directors, designers and affiliated trades. Mentoring programmes and scholarships will partner raw and emerging talent with established Australian and International artists. Riverwall will build the most innovative, inclusive and transformative opera company in Australia by establishing a financially sustainable work environment that attracts the greatest talents to work and create in the Southern Highlands of NSW. We will have a diversified, highly committed and qualified Board of Directors working in partnership with an efficient and effective top quality management team and staff. Riverwall will serve as a cultural ambassador of excellence, relevance and affordability in the arts and performance arena in Australia. “For some time I have had a strong vision and dream that a suitable venue in the Southern Highlands would be the ideal place to hold a Glyndebourne/Garsington-­‐type Festival. Both these Festivals are in the UK and began in mansion houses in rural England. The enormous success of these Festivals have now resulted in purpose built Opera Houses/performance spaces. Both companies enjoy huge international success and national pride as a result, in part, due to their incredibly loyal and pro-­‐active local communities, Glynbourne and Garsington hold annual Opera Festivals. These performances usually begin around 4.30 or 5.pm depending on the length of the work being performed. The audience arrive early and enjoy champagne and wander through the Gardens. They can either have a picnic or eat at the restaurants within the precinct. There is always a long interval to enable them to eat, drink and enjoy the entire ambience before returning for the second half of the performance. The audience can either drive and park in the precinct or take a shuttle bus ( provided in the ticketing price) to the venue from within the region. I believe this model would be unique in Australia and a special one for the Southern Highlands, Berrima in particular. Given the proximity to Sydney, ACT, Goulburn, and the Illawarra aided by the natural beauty of the area, it offers a real coup for the community and the entire Wingecarribee Shire. There would be huge demand for all tourism and hospitality sectors: food, wine, hotels, B&B’s, taxi services, golfing facilities… the possibilities are endless. I would also encourage art and craft displays for artists of the area to display their work for the duration of the Festival and include local schools in an educational/interactive project during residence. Both Glyndebourne and Garsington have earned enormous respect throughout the musical world. I can envisage an international company in Southern Highlands that will engage International, Australian and local singers, orchestral players, chorus, and would be of no less than an International standard. There are so many singers, directors, conductors in Australia that would relish the opportunity to perform and stay in the region to create a leading, world class Opera Festival for the Southern Highlands and Berrima. The opportunity to create employment for many people in the area would certainly encourage the local shire community to embrace this project. This is a wonderful opportunity for all. PETER COLEMAN-­‐WRIGHT RIVERWALL SNAPSHOT Name: RIVERWALL AUSTRALIA Status: NFP / Register of Cultural Organisations / Tax Deductibility Based: Southern Highlands NSW Operations: Riverwall sees a great opportunity to develop a muscular, resilient and flexible operating model in the world of opera where lavish budgets and facilities are the norm. Recognising it’s start-­‐
up position and potentially limited funds initially means Riverwall will have to innovate both creatively and operationally. This will give rise to new ways of looking at ‘delivery’ such as no sets but embracing the fast paced world of digital technology. Sustainability must be achieved through innovation. Performance Circuit: Southern Highlands initially; developing capacity to tour regional Australia, major metros and eventually; international festivals. Biennale Palm Valley Festival: A unique experiential event aimed at international opera audiences, set in remote central Australia, with value-­‐add on attractions. Performance Programming: Riverwall will be renowned for championing emerging Australian principal singers and performers to work alongside more established artists and take care to engage conductors and directors of international reputation and distinction. Lesser known and less often performed classical operas, light opera and signature or ground-­‐breaking choral works will feature to attract and engage new audiences as well as giving aficionado’s rare treats. Themed festivals such as Easter Festival, Composer’s Birthday Festivals will be developed and become staple calendar events. Educational Programming: Riverwall will be renowned for championing emerging Australian principal singers and performers to work alongside more established artists and take care to engage conductors and directors of international reputation and distinction. • Professional pathways: all aspects from singing to set design, conducting to costume production, etc – Riverwall wants to establish a strong educational and professional development programme to equip and promote Australian talent for professional careers. • Indigenous Scholarships: of particular interest to Riverwall, via annual auditions, is access to professional careers in opera for young Indigenous Australians whether as singers or musicians. • Workshops: Riverwall wants to develop a rich programme series ranging from 1hr to 1 week experiences, catering for all age groups including classes for people with special needs, from babies to seniors, from novices to enthusiasts and professionals. • Under The Bonnet: Riverwall’s intent is to share with sponsors and patrons special ‘behind the scenes’ events tailored to reveal how singers and performances are created. • Artist-­in-­Residence/Commissioning of Australian Works: Riverwall recognises a gap in the world of original Australian composition for operas, classical and choral music, light opera and related sung works. Co-­Founder & Artistic Director : Peter Coleman-­‐Wright Co-­Founder : Richard Lane Musical Director & Conductor : Stephen Mould Artistic Administrator : Cath Dadd Technical Administrator : Victoria Knight Legals : Gilbert + Tobin (Darren Fittler – head of Third Sector) Board of Directors: Riverwall is seeking a highly motivated, highly experienced Board with strengths in governance/risk management, legal, commerce, finance/accounting, arts administration and marketing/public relations. Cath Dadd is a respected and self‐motivated professional with more than 25
years of experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in creative,
events and managerial roles at an international standard. She has extensive
experience planning and managing a wide range of projects from the
requirements gathering phase to delivery. Cath is highly skilled in managing
technical and operational details, planning and communicating deadlines, and
following‐up with internal and external partners to ensure on‐time completion
within budget. As a result she consistently received positive feedback from
managers, co‐workers and clients.
Career Summary
2014:
Technical Production Assessment Tutor – National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
Facilitator & MC for Corporate Summits & Conferences
2013:
Director – La Traviata & La Boheme
2000 – 2003:
Head of Programming / Opera Australia
2000 – 2012:
Resident Director / Opera Australia
1987 – 1991:
Stage Manager / Opera Australia
Opera Australia’s Highlights
1999 – 2002:
1993 to 1997:
1993 to 1996:
Resident Director : Responsible for rehearsing and restaging over 50 existing Opera
Australia productions covering most of the Puccini, Verdi, Wagner and Strauss
repertoire as well as many lesser performed productions. Also assisting visiting
international directors and taking responsibility for the production after opening
night, rehearsing covers and restaging for subsequent seasons. Working closely with
directors including Bruce Beresford, working on the 2000 Sydney Olympic Cultural
Season, developing own production of Der Fliegende Holländer. Restaging many older
productions with a new and fresh approach
Assistant Director : for State Opera of South Australia’s production of Orpheus in the
Underworld
Production Consultant : for The Australian Opera Studio, directing productions and
mentoring young set and costume designers, stage managers and artists.
Director : Schools’ Company touring productions of The Barber of Seville and The
Secret Garden, touring to over 500 primary schools in NSW and Victoria
Staging Gala Concerts : such as Christmas at the House and New Years Eve at the
Sydney Opera House, as well as Opera in the Domain for the Festival of Sydney
Transferring : Opera Australia productions to State Companies, working with young
local singers.
Rehearsal Co-ordinator & Future Planning Co-ordinator / Opera Australia:
Company Manager / Opera Australia’s Melbourne Spring Season
Assistant Director & Stage Manager / Victoria State Opera
Assistant Director for Lyric Opera of Queensland (now Opera Queensland)
Resident Assistant Director & Company Stage Manager / Lyric Opera of Queensland
Writer, Director and On-stage Presenter the Lyric Opera Schools’ Programme
Stage Manager for Brisbane Festival’s concert production of Chess the Musical
1992:
Company Stage Manager / Bell Shakespeare (National Tour of Hamlet, Merchant of
Venice and Richard III)
Company Stage Manager for The Lyric Opera of Queensland (now Opera Queensland)
1987 to 1991: Stage Management / The Australian Opera
Worked on over 50 productions with major Directors, Lighting Designers and Artists
Education and Awards
2004
Australian Opera Foundation Bayreuth Scholarship
2005
Goethe-Institut Language Scholarship, BerliAWARDS