PIANO LESSONS by

Anna Goldsworthy Originally commissioned and produced by Queensland Music Festival in association with QPAC

“The piano and music itself are the outstanding stars in the adaptation of Anna

Goldsworthy's award-winning memoir into a performance of pure enchantment. So

begins a piece of music theatre that… seems to have been made in heaven.”

The Courier-Mail

“…storming the pianistic ramparts with talent and determination.” The Australian (Anna Goldsworthy)

Audience responses:

“What a truly wonderful evening you gave us yesterday! Thank you. Your creativity &

beautiful, sensitive piano playing held the audience spellbound… Your audiences love you!”

Valerie (Redcliffe)

“Please pass on my thanks for a wonderful evening…Both Anna's and Carol Burns'

performances were brilliant.” Alison (Ipswich)

“I was in Toowoomba for the Piano Pedagogy Conference and saw your performance of

Piano Lessons. Thank you for an enjoyable evening.” Robyn (Toowoomba)

Previous seasons:

10 venue Queensland tour 2013 with 4 performances sold out

2011 Queensland Music Festival season at QPAC sold out

Key creatives:

Michael Futcher, Director

Performed by:

Anna Goldworthy and Carol Burns

Duration:

2 hours 17 minutes (includes 20 minute interval)

About Anna Goldsworthy….

Anna is an award-winning Australian classical pianist and writer.

She is Research Fellow at the J.M. Coetzee Centre at the University of Adelaide, Artistic Director of the Port

Fairy Spring Music Festival, Kenneth Moore Memorial Music Scholar at Janet Clarke Hall at the University of

Melbourne, and a founding member of the Seraphim Trio.

Anna won Newcomer of the Year at the 2010 Australian Book Industry Awards for her memoir, Piano

Lessons. She is a cultural critic for The Monthly, and records for the ABC Classics label. In 2013, Anna toured

Australia as piano soloist for Musica Viva Countrywide, and with Seraphim Trio. Her new memoir, Welcome to

Your New Life, was released in March; her Quarterly Essay was released in June. She is providing a new libretto

for Victorian Opera’s production of The Magic Pudding, which premiered in October, with music by Calvin

Bowman. Anna recently toured Queensland with her acclaimed state adaptation of Piano Lessons , and is

directing the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival in October.

SAMPLE MEDIA RELEASE (from Queensland Regional tour) PIANO LESSONS PARTNERSHIP HITS A HIGH NOTE IN LONGREACH Award-winning concert pianist Anna Goldsworthy’s deeply felt memoir, Piano Lessons, is once again brought to life as the stage adaptation embarks on a state-wide tour to eleven venues with arTour as part of Queensland Music Festival this July. The production, directed by Michael Futcher, requires the use of a grand piano in each location across Queensland. The team from arTour and Queensland Music Festival refused to let Longreach’s lack of a grand piano and remote geographic location stand in the way of touring this remarkable production to the town. After investigating a multitude of possibilities to secure a piano for the performance and with a statewide call-out for assistance, Terry Kirwin of Rockhampton’s Kirwin’s Pianos came on board to lend a hand. “I have been trying for thirty years to convince someone in the Longreach area to purchase a piano – this is the opportunity to do it!” Terry said in a phone conversation with the arTour team. One week later Terry had successfully convinced Roly Gooding, local proprietor of the Commercial Hotel Longreach, to contact arTour to offer his assistance to make this production a reality for the local community. Mr Gooding has since agreed to generously purchase a Yamaha concert grand piano for the production to be staged at the QANTAS Founders Museum on Saturday 20 July. Following the production this extraordinarily beautiful instrument will remain in Longreach for the community’s continued use and pleasure. Mr Gooding will be encouraging local piano students to take their lessons on the instrument. This added legacy also opens the door for numerous artists and productions to tour to Longreach that may not otherwise have been able to perform in the area. Part theatrical production and part concert, Piano Lessons premiered at QMF in 2011 to critical acclaim and recounts Ms Goldsworthy’s musical awakening as a young girl and the intriguing relationship she shared with her enigmatic Russian teacher, Mrs Eleanora Sivan, played by Queensland’s own phenomenal talent, Carol Burns. “We are delighted that Carol Burns will be joining Anna on stage in this production, bringing a new perspective to the charismatic role of Anna's childhood piano teacher.” QMF Artistic Director James Morrison said. An award-winning pianist, Goldsworthy travels and performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. Don’t miss the chance to see her in this intimate setting and to experience a rare glimpse into what it takes to become a concert pianist. The Piano Lessons tour runs from July 5 - 28 and is a signature event of the statewide Queensland Music Festival 2013, which will take place from the July 12 - 28. arTour is thrilled to have facilitated a new partnership which contributes to the Queensland Government’s aim to increase the number of touring arts productions, extend the reach of the tours and double the touring arts experiences in regional communities. Piano Lessons in Longreach is presented by the Longreach Arts & Cultural Association with the assistance of arTour and Queensland Music Festival in association with Queensland Performing Arts Centre and ABC 612 Brisbane. Tour managed and coordinated by arTour, an initiative supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. -ENDS-