World-class Australian-born soprano Alexandra Flood is looking forward to returning from Europe to tour her home country, including unique concerts at Montville.
The young artist boasts an inspiring resume of performances, with elite conductors and orchestras in the world’s birthplaces of classical music.
She will soon share her unique voice with Australian audiences, including two local performances at Lucas Parklands.
The young opera star will perform in trio, with world-renowned New Zealand violinist Amalia Hall and captivating pianist Michael Ierace, in the Lucas Parklands concert hall on September 25 and 26.
From her birthplace in Phillip Island, to her childhood in the Middle East, and her move to Europe, Ms Flood’s talents are in demand, on the stages of France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, The Netherlands and the USA.
Despite making her successful move to the concert halls of Europe in 2014, Alexandra has returned home annually to share her talents with Australia’s classical music lovers and to mentor young singers – a personal passion that was disrupted in 2020 due to the restrictions of the pandemic.
“I’m always going to want to come back … to do meaningful work in Australia,” Ms Flood said from Paris, where she is rehearsing at the Opera national de Paris.
“It’s just something that I care about, and I feel a sense of duty to invest in our industry, so that’s a big motivation for this trip as well.”
Her professional performances in Australia include repeat appearances with the Queensland Ballet and Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Southern Cross Soloists, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and the Victorian Opera.
Ms Flood’s most recent performances in Queensland were in 2019, with Opera Queensland. Her 2016 performances of the Strictly Gershwin concert series with Queensland Orchestra received high critical acclaim.
With international travel now slowly becoming more possible, with quarantining, she will bring her wonderful voice back to Australian audiences, who will benefit from her experiences and professional growth in Europe.
“I was aware when I left Australia that there was this tendency for some artists to go off overseas and not look back in a way, and I really wanted to make sure I continued to invest in the Australian industry,” she said.
“I wanted to help build this bridge of cultural exchange between Europe and Australia, so I make time in Australia a priority in my calendar, and it will continue to remain a priority.”
COVID has forced the music industry to adapt, and Ms Flood noted that, due to social distancing guidelines, she had pre-recorded her parts for a recent Parisian opera.
“Of course, I would prefer to sing live, but the fact that I’m willing and able to say: ‘okay, this is not ideal, but I’ll do it’, is part of the changes we have to make as performing artists at this time,” she said.
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“Being able to be flexible is one of the things that is helping artists survive through this pandemic.”
With that in mind, she is now even more eager to perform for live audiences during her tour of Australia in September and October.
“There is something in Australia that is so ancient – its culture, its native rainforest, it’s so untouched – but at the same time it’s so modern and accessible,” she said.
“Sometimes we see this physical distance between Australia and the rest of the world and I think the brilliance of classical music just connects us.”
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Ian Lucas, of Lucas Parklands, was counting down the days in anticipation of Ms Flood’s Montville appearances.
“I’m expecting a wonderful concert with Alexandra Flood and Amalia Hall, and they’re teaming up with a great pianist, Michael Ierace,” Mr Lucas said.
“Both ladies are, to use a sporting phrase, at the top of their game; we have a great violinist, a great soprano, along with a great pianist who will all do pieces together as well – trios and duets – from traditional popular opera to some surprise Australiana as well.
“It’ll be a wonderful concert. Local music lovers are in for two amazing experiences. I just can’t wait.”
Soprano Alexandra Flood, New Zealand violinist Amalia Hall and Australian pianist Michael Ierace will perform in concert, including performances together, at Lucas Parklands, Montville, on September 25 and 26. For tickets, phone 07 54785667.
