Chamber Made Explained

Chamber Made, formerly known as Chamber Made Opera, is an Australian arts organisation based in Melbourne, creating work operating at the intersections of music, sound and contemporary performance.

Formed in 1988 by theatre director and librettist Douglas Horton, it was Australia's only full-time company exclusively devoted to the commissioning and presentation of contemporary chamber opera by living artists. After taking up the artistic directorship in 2010, David Young commissioned and presented twelve new Australian operas, many of which were created as part of the company's "Living Room Opera" series. In 2013, Tim Stitz was appointed as Creative Director, leading a new company model consisting of four Artistic Associates. Since 2014 an overt focus on chamber opera has evolved into a broader remit of creating works that re-imagine how music and performance can converge. In 2017, the company restructured again and Tamara Saulwick was appointed Artistic Director.[1]

Chamber Made works with established artists and emerging professionals. The company also engages performers from different disciplines and non-traditional music and performance backgrounds.[2] Their productions are highly interdisciplinary, incorporating sophisticated composition and experimental performance practice.

The company has forged partnerships with Punctum, Limerick City of Culture, In Between Time Festival, Arts Centre Melbourne, RMIT University, La Mama Theatre, Aphids, Speak Percussion, Melbourne Recital Centre, the Victorian Opera, the Victorian Writers' Centre, The Wheeler Centre, Fed Square, Bell Shakespeare, Rawcus, Malthouse Theatre, New Music Network, and the Australian Music Centre.[3]

The company has multi-year, re-current funding from Creative Victoria and has an enduring support base from philanthropic and earned income. Chamber Made is based in a studio managed by the City of Melbourne's Meat Market tenancy program.

Company history

Chamber Made Opera was founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Douglas Horton and General Manager Stephen Armstrong. The company quickly established itself as a force in the Australian arts industry, presenting many acclaimed works (see below for list of productions), winning awards, and touring nationally and internationally. Horton was the librettist for many of the company’s works; he stepped down as Artistic Director in March 2009, after 21 years.[4]

In 2010 composer David Young was appointed the role of Artistic Director, a position he held until December 2013.[5] Young lead the company through a period of rejuvenation and transformation, pioneering the innovative Living Room Opera series (see below).

In early 2013 CMO announced a new company structure would be installed following the departure of David Young, headed by new Creative Director Tim Stitz, who appointed a team of four Artistic Associates to join him in the next phase of the company's life. In 2017, Tamara Saulwick moved from the role of Artistic Associate to Artistic Director.[6]

Past staff include Artistic Director David Young, Creative Director / CEO Tim Stitz, Artistic Associate Sarah Kriegler, Artistic Associate Christie Stott, Artistic Associate Erkki Veltheim, General Managers Robina Burton and Geoffrey Williams, Resident Director Margaret Cameron, Resident Conductor Brett Kelly, Caroline Lee, and the late Jacqueline (Jacqui) Everitt, designer.

Productions

Only first productions are listed

Awards

Discography

Living Room Operas

From 2010 to 2014, a series of domestic-scale chamber operas were commissioned and developed for presentation in living rooms of residential houses.[11]

The Living Room Opera Series involved artists and musicians from a range of styles and backgrounds. This series aimed to give the audience new, chamber operas in close proximity.[12]

In 2010 new works by composer Alex Garsden, Rawcus Theatre Company, and the Quiver Ensemble were commissioned and presented in a range of domestic settings with investment by individual donors. The Series represents a mobile and scalable model with support from private philanthropy.[13]

Productions that featured in the series were The Itch (2010), Another Lament (2010), Dwelling Structure (2011), Ophelia Doesn't Live Here Anymore (2011), Minotaur The Island (2011), The Box (2012), PM An incidental Video Opera (2012), Between Lands and Longings (2013), Turbulence (2013), and Wake (2014).

The Venny

From 2012-2018, CMO partnered with the Kensington Adventure Playground (The Venny), to deliver a community outreach program for young people. Each year the company enabled professional artists to work with the children and staff of The Venny to develop and present a creative project exploring the children's interests and teaching them creative skills whilst building a sense of fortitude and community.[14]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tamara Saulwick's Biography .
  2. News: Edgar. Ray. Shadow boxing with audio architecture. 31 May 2012. The Age. 9 March 2012.
  3. News: Gruber. Fiona. Pull up the lounge for a night of opera. 31 May 2012. The Australian. 19 November 2010.
  4. Web site: Douglas Horton to step down from Chambermade. Australian Stage. 31 May 2012.
  5. Web site: Gallasch. Keith. new director, new opera. RealTime. 31 May 2012.
  6. Web site: Tamara Saulwick steps into Artistic Director role at Chamber Made Opera . 16 February 2017 .
  7. http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/review-ophelia-doesnt-live-here-anymore.html Ophelia Doesn't Live Here Anymore review
  8. Web site: Nicholas Vines : Represented Artist Profile . Australian Music Centre . 9 February 2012.
  9. http://www.australianstage.com.au/news/sydney/2007-helpmann-award-winners-588.html "2007 Helpmann Award Winners "
  10. Web site: 2007 Nominations and Recipients . Greenroom.org.au . 9 February 2012.
  11. Web site: Gallasch. Keith. from the living room into the world. RealTime Arts. 31 May 2012.
  12. News: Power. Liza. Living room librettos. 31 May 2012. The Age. 17 December 2011.
  13. Web site: Furhmann. Andrew. This is the future of Australian Opera. Arts Hub. 31 May 2012.
  14. Web site: The Venny Project .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Chamber Made".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.