David Garrett, who wrote the Notes, began writing about music in the early 1970s, when he was changing his day job from teaching history in universities to music programming and management. Since then he has become one of Australia’s most read, respected and commissioned writers about music, for all the major Australian presenters. Most of the writing to be found here is linked to concerts and opera productions – the occasion brought forth the words. Here is a virtual library of program notes and introductions to operas.
This site is a work in progress, please visit often.
Featured
Orpheus and Euridice
- Opera
Three people with strong views about musical theatre came together – impresario Giacomo Durazzo engaged Gluck to compose French comedies with realistic characters, in contrast to the ‘cold’ and ‘sententious’ historical figures of Metastasian opera seria. The librettist Raniero de Calzabigi wanted to break the singers’ domination of opera and put naturally acted drama back into first place. Their innovations can be appreciated in Orpheus and Euridice...
Les mamelles de Tirésias
- Opera
When Poulenc’s opéra-bouffe Les mamelles de Tirésias was first performed in 1947, there were loud protests against the whole tenor of the piece. Fred Goldbeck’s review wondered how Poulenc, composing during the liberation of France in 1944, could have chosen this text, and been in the mood for laughter. Poulenc reckoned he had every right to celebrate with a light heart the return of liberty, in a work which was ‘a little crazy’...
Can't find what you're looking for?
Notes from the garrett is an ongoing project. Writings are constantly being added, old ones and new ones.
If you are searching for something about a particular musical work or subject, and you don’t find it here, please ask if it exists, and can be made available.
The garrett (that’s me…) may even consider writing something new if the subject is of interest and time allows. A fee can be negotiated.
If what you find does not suit your needs – in length, for example – it may be adapted, by the author with his agreement. Again, terms are negotiable.