On tour in Perth

Singing with the TSO Chorus is providing some wonderful opportunities to do interesting choral works … and not just within Tasmania. Earlier in the year some of the choir members went to Berlin (but not me, because of lots of reasons); and in November a big group of about 50 of us made the journey across to Perth to join with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra Chorus and WASO in two performances of Verdi’s Requiem. Because of the need to have rehearsals together we had to be in Perth for a week, taking leave from our day jobs and, since rehearsals were in the evening (as the WASOC members were still doing their day jobs), we had time for holiday-type activities during the mornings and afternoons.

On the Monday, most of us gathered for brunch out near one of the beaches, and afterwards headed to Bold Park for a wander around some of the bushland there (the first photo evokes thoughts of “Mad dogs and Tasmanian choristers go out in the midday sun”).

There were interesting Western Australian banksias,

grassy bushland,

and interesting crinkly fronds.

On the Tuesday, we had the opportunity to have a masterclass with renowned Australian soprano Sara Macliver. This was really useful and we were able to hone our sound and technique (although, as the only representative of the tenor section, it was also a little scary!).

In the afternoon we met at the Botanical Gardens where one of the WASOC members, who volunteers as a guide there, took us on a quick tour of some of the interesting plants and history, including the Sturt Desert Pea, a boab tree, and various kangaroo paw plants.

After the evening’s rehearsal, I headed past some of the city Christmas decorations, and up to King’s Park where I took some photos of the city.

On Wednesday I had a lazy-ish day, but took a ferry trip across the Swan River which gave good views of Perth and, on the southern side, had a very nice lunch. 

On my return I took photos of two parabolas, a series of ellipses, and a Möbius strip sculpture, because mathsy things are always interesting.