Soprano heads concert trio at Montville’s Lucas Parklands

World class Australian-born soprano Alexandra Flood is soon returning from her work in Europe to tour her home country, including unique concerts at Lucas Parklands, Montville.

The young artist has an inspiring resume of performances with elite conductors and orchestras in the world’s birthplaces of classical music, and she is returning to share her unique voice with Australian audiences, including in two exciting local performances at Lucas Parklands.

In this special event, the young opera star will perform in trio with world-renowned New Zealand violinist Amalia Hall and captivating pianist Michael Ierace in the Lucas Parklands concert hall on September 25 and 26.

From her birthplace in Phillip Island, to her childhood in the Middle East, and her move to Europe, Ms Flood’s talents are today very much in demand in classical performances on the stages of France, as well as Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, The Netherlands, the USA and more.

Despite making her successful move to the concert halls of Europe in 2014, Alexandra has always returned home annually to share her talents with Australia’s classical music lovers and mentor our young singers - a personal passion that was disrupted in 2020 due to the restrictions of the pandemic.

“I’m always going to want to come back to Australia to do meaningful work in Australia,” Ms Flood said from Paris, where she is rehearsing at the Opera national de Paris.

“It’s just something that I care about, and I feel a sense of duty to invest in our industry, so that’s a big motivation for this trip as well.” 

Her professional performances in Australia through the years are simply too many to mention in one brief news story. They include repeat appearances with the Queensland Ballet and Queensland Symphony Orchestra, repeat performances with the Southern Cross Soloists, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and the Victorian Opera. 

Ms Flood’s most recent performances in Queensland were in 2019 were with Opera Queensland. Her 2016 performances of the Strictly Gershwin concert series with Queensland Orchestra also received high critical acclaim. 

With international travel now slowly becoming more possible, with quarantining of course, she is bringing her wonderful voice back to Australian audiences, who will benefit from her experiences and professional growth in Europe.

“I was aware when I left Australia that there was this tendency for some artists to go off overseas and not look back in a way, and I really wanted to make sure I continued to invest in the Australian industry,” she said.

“I wanted to help build this bridge of cultural exchange between Europe and Australia so I make time in Australia a priority in my calendar, and it will continue to remain a priority.”

Covid has forced the music industry to adapt, and Ms Flood noted that, due to social distancing guidelines, she had earlier this year pre-recorded her parts for a recent Parisian opera. 

“Of course, I would prefer to sing live, but the fact that I’m willing and able to say, ‘OK, this is not ideal, but I’ll do it’, is part of the changes we have to make as performing artists at this time,” she explained.

“Being able to be flexible is one of the things that is helping artists survive through this pandemic.”

With that in mind, she is now even more eager to perform for live audiences during her tour of Australia in September and October.

“There is something in Australia that is so ancient — its culture, its native rainforest, it’s so untouched – but at the same time it’s so modern and accessible,” she said.

“Sometimes we see this physical distance between Australia and the rest of the world and I think the brilliance of classical music just connects us.”

Ian Lucas, of Lucas Parklands in Montville, said he is counting down the days in anticipation of Ms Flood’s Montville appearances.

“I’m expecting a wonderful concert with Alexandra Flood and Amalia Hall, and they’re teaming up with a great pianist, Michael Ierace,” Mr Lucas said.

“Both ladies are, to use a sporting phrase, at the top of their game; we have a great violinist, a great soprano, along with a great pianist who will all do pieces together as well – trios and duets – from traditional popular opera to some surprise Australiana as well.

“It’ll be a wonderful concert. Local music lovers are in for two amazing experiences. I just can’t wait.”

• For tickets, phone 07 5478 5667.  Lucas Parklands’ website: www.lucasparklands.com.au 

Soprano Alexandra Flood, will perform at Lucas Parklands, Montville, on September 25 and 26.