City Hall to come alive with love songs and serenades

Novocastrians can soak in the grandeur of City Hall’s grand Concert Hall while being entertained by local talent performing a range of opera, jazz, and classical repertoire, all in the space of their lunch break.

City of Newcastle will host the City Hall Concert Series where music lovers can enjoy the unique opportunity to see world class artists live on stage in a string of free and ticketed shows throughout December.

In the main attraction of the series,multi-award-winning Teddy Tahu Rhodes will be joined by internationally acclaimed flautist Jane Rutter on Saturday 5 December for a sublime concert of love and romance where audiences will be swept away with the passion of Italian opera.

Tahu Rhodes is Australia’s favourite leading man of the operatic and concert stage, dazzling audiences with his extraordinary voice and presence. The pair will unite their musical genius to raise people’s spirits and pull at heartstrings with some of the world’s greatest love songs.

Today saw the first of four free lunchtime concerts in December with Hunter Opera taking the stage with Iranian born tenor Sam Elmi performing alongside Catherine Sheng Cooper (Violin) and Mercia Buck (piano).

Councillor Carol Duncan said the concert series invites the community to experience City Hall in all its glory and that midday performances hark back to an earlier time in Newcastle.

“Our city’s historic civic building is a stunning setting for musical performance. Lunchtime performances were held in City Hall in the 1920s so it’s special that contemporary audiences continue to embrace such a timeless pastime.

“By hosting free concerts that can be enjoyed by people during their lunch break, we are making City Hall and music culture accessible to all.

“I encourage people to make the most the opportunity to see world renowned acts in one of the City’s most iconic venues.”

The Wandering Hearts concert featuring acclaimed soprano, Eleanor Lyons, and her conductor and pianist husband, Vladimir Fanshil scheduled in November has been postponed until 10 March.

Love songs and Lullabies - Saturday 5 December, 7pm

Brilliant bass baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes and internationally acclaimed flautist Jane Rutter will unite for a sublime concert of love and romance.

FREE LUNCH TIME CONCERTS

Damian Wright - Thursday, 10 December 12.30pm

Heather Price – Soulful Sounds - Wednesday, 16 December 12.30pm

Terence Koo – Jazz Musician Wednesday, 23 December 12.30pm