Helen Garner discusses the operatic adaptation of her classic novella The Children’s Bach with librettist Glenn Perry and composer Andrew Schultz.
Helen Garner’s beloved 1984 novella The Children’s Bach has been described as her masterpiece. Centring on a small suburban family and the unexpected bohemian visitors who puncture their seemingly comfortable bubble, the story and prose incorporate musical references and motifs throughout.
At this event, Garner, librettist Glenn Perry and composer Andrew Schultz will discuss the process of adapting the acclaimed novella into a chamber opera with host Sian Prior. Musicians and performers from Lyric Opera of Melbourne – including singers Kate Amos and Lucy Schneider, conductor Patrick Burns and accompanist Isaac Mouskvias – will close out the evening with a short performance from their upcoming production of The Children’s Bach.
This opera was commissioned and premiered in 2008 by Chamber Made. The second full production of the work is presented from 30 August to 7 September at Theatre Works.
Presented in partnership with Lyric Opera of Melbourne.
Event and Ticketing Details
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Wheelchair accessible
Assistive Listening
Auslan interpreting available by-request
Companion tickets available
Registered Assistance Animals welcome
Accessible toilets available
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Additional Notes
The bookseller for this event is Hill of Content Bookshop.
Featuring
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Helen Garner
Helen Garner writes novels, stories, screenplays and works of non-fiction. In 2006 she received the inaugural Melbourne Prize for Literature, and in 2016 she won the prestigious Windham–Campbell Literature Prize for non-fiction ...
![](https://cms.wheelercentre.com/media/he5duyxn/glenn-perry-photo.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=312&height=312&format=png&quality=90)
Glenn Perry
Glenn Perry is a librettist and playwright. He has written libretti for Chambermade Opera, including two operas composed by the Chinese-Australian composer Julian Yu: Fresh Ghosts (1997), Theatre Works, Melbourne; and ...
![](https://cms.wheelercentre.com/media/dfsj1ogc/andrew-schultz.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=312&height=312&format=png&quality=90)
Andrew Schultz
Andrew Schultz has held many awards and commissions – including from all the major Australian orchestras. Major works include three symphonies, Journey to Horseshoe Bend, Maali, Endling, Paradise and Violin Concerto ...
![](https://cms.wheelercentre.com/media/yt1mbz3m/kate-amos-headshot-2023.png?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=312&height=312&format=png&quality=90)
Kate Amos
Kate Amos is one of Australia’s most artistically versatile and sought-after young artists. Melbourne-born soprano Kate holds music qualifications and Dip. in Italian from The University of Melbourne, with a ‘Masters in Opera’ from the Welsh International Academy of Voice ...
![](https://cms.wheelercentre.com/media/2ufidrco/headshot-lucy-schneider-2.jpg?rxy=0.4999999658640065,0.16442952451201004&width=312&height=312&format=png&quality=90)
Lucy Schneider
Lucy Schneider completed her Master’s in Opera Performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in 2022, Lucy undertook her Bachelor of Music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Her most recent ...
![](https://cms.wheelercentre.com/media/2trpxra0/patrick-burns-6.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=312&height=312&format=png&quality=90)
Patrick Burns
Patrick Burns is the Artistic Director of the Lyric Opera of Melbourne and director of Music Programs Victoria for the Play It Forward Choral Program. In 2018 and 2019 he was the Robert and Elizabeth Albert Conducting Fellow ...
![](https://cms.wheelercentre.com/media/llshugow/s_p_406-1.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=312&height=312&format=png&quality=90)
Sian Prior
Sian Prior has had a multi-faceted career in the arts, education and media, as a writer, broadcaster, teacher and singer. She is best known as a former presenter on ABC RN, ABC Classic and ABC Melbourne, and a columnist ...