The Queensland Music Festival‟s wildly popular Opera at Jimbour concert series returns in 2011 for an afternoon of fine music and fine company on the Darling Downs on Saturday, 30th July. Since 2003, the now-iconic Queensland Music Festival event has drawn huge “picnic and blanket‟ audiences to heritage-listed Jimbour House near Dalby.
Festival Artistic Director Deborah Conway said this year‟s performance promises to be the most spectacular yet. “The 2009 Opera at Jimbour saw audiences swell to a staggering record attendance of 8,500. Following on from this success, in 2011 we will return to the true essence of the Jimbour experience with an afternoon of classic opera and musical indulgence.”
This year‟s program will open with some of the world‟s best-loved operatic arias, brought to life by a trio
of Australian opera greats: James Clayton, Tobias Cole and Sara Macliver. More than 180 artists from The Queensland Choir and the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra will share the stage for the concert‟s spine-tingling finale – Carl Orff‟s masterpiece Carmina Burana, famed for its rousing chorus, O Fortuna which audiences will recognize from many film soundtracks including The Lord of the Rings.
Guest conductor Warwick Potter, who will lead the orchestra and choir, describes Carmina Burana as
“arguably the most popular choral work of the 20th century and a centerpiece of the Queensland Choir‟s
repertoire”.
Opera at Jimbour is presented by Queensland Music Festival, Western Downs Regional Council, Jimbour Station and ERM Power. Organisers are tipping even bigger numbers at this year‟s concert, a production so epic it will require an extension of the stage at the Jimbour Station Amphitheatre.
EVENT DETAILS
Venue: Jimbour Station Amphitheatre, Jimbour
Date: Saturday 30 July, 2.00pm – 4.30pm (gates open at 9.00am)
Tickets: FREE EVENT
More info: Local market stalls open 9.00am – 4.00pm. Patrons may bring their own picnic.
Food and wine can be purchased on site on the day or pre-order picnic hampers through Etiquette 24/7 by phoning 07 4638 4738. BYO alcohol glass bottles not permitted.
Onsite parking is available. Cars $5, Buses $20.
Jimbour Station‟s beautifully appointed gardens will be open to the public on the day. Admission $5
Full program at www.qmf.org.au
