The Australian Singing Competition Finals for 2001 was hosted in Sydney, New South Wales at the Sydney Opera House on 31 October 2001. The Finals Concert, attended by the Australian Governor General and ex Prime minister Gough Whitlam was sponsored by IFAC. Highlights included entertainment in the foyer by the Suzuki Talent Education Association, entertaining presentation by compere Guy Noble, the fine-playing of the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra under the skilled baton of Johannes Fritzsch and Dr Haruhisa Handa conducting them in two of his own compositions. The winner of the 20th Marianne Mathy Scholarship was Rejieli Shepherd-Paulo, a 25 year old who was quoted by one critic as producing "a beautiful, full-blooded outpouring of quality soprano sound". The audience and adjudicators alike recognised a remarkable voice with the potential to make a significant impression in opera. For a report on the results of this competition click here, or to view the results of the earlier Australian Singing Competition, click here. Mr Haruhisa Handa leads a choir of 30 Japanese singers in the performance of two new songs specially composed for Pope John Paul 11. The new Ave Maria and Kyrie Ellison were composed by Mr Handa and sung in Latin in St Peter's Square in September 1999 before an estimated audience of 60,000 pilgrims. To view the photographs from the event, click here. Other News In 1999 Mr Haruhisa Handa, through IFAC, sponsored a tour of a distinguished Japanese Noh Theatre company from Tokyo to New York. The company, which included Mr Handa in a featured role, performed at the New York Metropolitan Museum and at the United Nations Plaza. The performances coincided with the announcement of a $1,000,000 US sponsorship of the Juilliard Opera School by Mr Handa and IFAC. In October Mr Handa and IFAC sponsored the Australian Ballet during its New York Season. This is the second time the Australian Ballet has received sponsorship from Mr Handa. His first association with the company was for their last tour to Tokyo. In September of 1999 Mr Handa and IFAC sponsored the Australian Chamber Orchestra for its performances in Tokyo, and in Adelaide he continued as principal sponsor of the Australian Singing Competition (ASC). Subsequent to the ASC finals in Adelaide the six finalists were taken to Japan in November for a concert in Tokyo also sponsored by Mr Handa and IFAC. Alongside these significant sponsorships, IFAC in Australia has been able to assist a number of Australian and International artists in the pursuit of their ambitions in a variety of visual and performing arts projects. Two rounds of grants in 1999 to individuals and companies have resulted in twelve projects receiving support (click here to view). Last modified Monday, 20 May 2002. Copyright © IFAC (Australia) |