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Olympic
Arts Festivals
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World Concert Tour May-September
1999
"An
official event in Reaching the World, the third Olympic Arts Festival
in the lead-up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games."
Outcomes
of World Concert Tour
In
1999 Brian Gilbertson undertook a World Concert Tour, "United in one
dream - which was an official event in "Reaching the World," the third
Olympic Arts Festival in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Concerts were given in Capetown, Pretoria, London, Paris, Vienna,
Bangkok and Mauritius hosted by Australian Embassies and High Commissions.
At the request of Embassy and High Commission staff, Brian also gave
Voice Masterclasses in Mauritius (Conservatoire de Musique François
Mitterrand), South Africa (University of Capetown) and Bangkok Chul
A Longkorn University). The tour was an outcome from the 1998 Adelaide
Performing Arts Market where SOCOG first learned about Brian Gilbertson.
Written
responses received from Brian's tour hosts and their guests:
Mauritius:
"In every way, Brian, and manager, Julie Sloan, and their accompanist,
Anne ApThomas, were superb ambassadors for South Australia generally
and SA Tourism Commission in particular... two great performances...your
involvement was definitely one of the highlights of the promotion."
Australian High Commissioner in Mauritius, Mr. Chris Marchant, correspondence
June 1999.
" A very successful 'Australia Festival' was held in Mauritius. Brian
Gilbertson brought a classical touch to the Festival in two well-acclaimed
performances." Australian High Commission Newsletter October 1999.
South
Africa:
"A superb ambassador for Australia." Australian High Commissioner
South Africa, Mr. David Connolly, 1999.
"The
students are still talking about it. Your master class was very helpful
and your recital most delightful...You make an excellent ambassador
for your country. Thank you for your generous spirit and your kind
consideration of talent in the Third World. Brad Liebl, director of
music, Capetown University, correspondence August 1999.
Paris:
"This is the best concert I've attended at the Embassy. To get a Paris
audience to sing along in a concert and enjoy it was really something
special. Jean-Paul & Monique Delamotte, invited guests of the Ambassador,
Paris September 1999.
SOCOG:
"We appreciate your significant contribution." General Manager, Image,
Special Events and Olympic Arts Festivals correspondence December
1999
Vienna:
"Uniting the world in one dream. The Olympic flame reaches Austria
through Brian Gilbertson's singing. Gilbertson has developed a unique
ability to cross the borders between classical and contemporary popular
performance....a very good ambassador." Enea Hoyos, Austria Today,
Vienna, September 1999.
London:
"Thank you and Anne for your excellent performance at Australia House..
we are grateful to you for your contribution to the overall success
of the 'Experience South Australia' evening." Maurice de Rohan OBE,
Agent General, London correspondence, October 1999.
South
Australian Media:
"Triumphant Tour." ArtState Summer 1999
"The
only solo Australian Artist in the Festival, he (Brian) was supported
by the Foreign Affairs and Trade Department, Malaysia Air, SOCOG,
the SA Agent General in London and SA Tourism. Armed with pictorial
images of many of our 'best kept secrets,' the tenor incorporated
these images as backdrops to his performances. His aim was to whet
the appetite of audiences - several million courtesy of the television
coverage- with stories of the many beautiful places in his home state."
SA Great article, The Advertiser November 1999.
Brian
Gilbertson has been invited back to South Africa, Thailand and Mauritius
to perform and give further voice masterclasses and workshops. He
also received informal requests to go to Mexico, Spain, Greece and
Egypt whilst on tour. Brian is grateful for the support of The Department
of Trade and Foreign Affairs and the officers who took part in the
tour and who continue to work to facilitate more international exchanges
on his behalf both as a performer and teacher.
Please
make contact if you see Brian being of assistance in your region.
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