Melbourne in Concert with Allan Smith, 7pm Sunday 14 September
Allan Smith welcomes fellow Melbourne in Concert presenter, baritone Stephen Coutts, to the program to perform live-to-air alongside acclaimed pianist, Stefan Cassomenos. Together, they’ll present a captivating 50-minute program of Schubert lieder.
Stephen Coutts
Stephen is an operatic baritone who has performed extensively with the Victorian Opera, Opera Su Presto, Victorian Concert Orchestra, Amore Duet, Melbourne Shakespeare Company and other leading companies around Australia. In the fields of opera, operetta and musical theatre, he has played many leading roles in productions, and he currently studies under the tutelage of Australian operatic soprano Jessica Pratt. Stephen was a Young Songmakers Scholar in 2019 with Songmakers Australia and was the Maroondah Singers Vocal Scholar between 2020-2023. His rich Baritone voice is celebrated for its depth and colour, as well as its delightful light, lyrical quality.
Stefan Cassomenos
Internationally praised for his clarity, depth of expression, virtuosity and versatility, Melbourne-born Stefan Cassomenos is regarded as a leading Australian concert pianist, composer, and conductor. His concerto repertoire now exceeds forty works and has led to regular performances with major Australian symphony orchestras, as well as orchestras overseas. Second-prize-winner at the International Telekom Beethoven Competition, Bonn 2013, he has performed throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia. His compositions include commissions for Victorian Opera and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. Cassomenos is co-Artistic Director of Port Fairy Spring Music Festival and co-founder of chamber ensemble PLEXUS, which has commissioned over 110 new works.
PROGRAM
All works by Franz Schubert
Im Abendrot, D799
Du bist die Ruh, D776, Op.59, No.3
Seligkeit, D433
An die Musik, D547
—Break—
An den Mond, D193
Nacht und Träume, D827
Auf der Donau, D533
Frühlingsglaube, D686
Die Forelle, D550
—Break—
Ave Maria, D839 (2 verses)
An Sylvia, D891, Op.106, No.4
Auflösung, D807
Der Schiffer, D536
Der Sieg, D805
