(Originally aired in March 2021)

Brian Castles-Onion is one of Australia’s most exciting and well-known opera conductors. His career expands internationally, having worked at New  York’s Metropolitan Opera and the Julliard School of Music. His love of opera began when he was just 4 years old, at which point his weekly  accumulation of new LPs began, creating what is now one of the largest private collections of vocal recordings in the world. 

He’s worked with Sumi Jo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Placido Domingo, and in March and April 2021 he’s conducting La Traviata’s triumphant return to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.

This episode is an extended version of the broadcast edition, with additional interview content.

(Originally aired in March 2021)

Paul Stanhope is an Australian composer whose compositions have been heard all around the world. The winner of 4 APRA Australian Music Centre awards in instrumental, orchestral, choral and vocal categories, his 2014 work "Jandamarra: Sing for the Country" has been recognised as a milestone in Australian composition. 

Paul joined Simon Moore ahead of the premiere of his new masterwork, his Requiem, at the City Recital Hall. 

(Originally aired in March 2021)

Susie Park is a violinist hailed by the Washington Post as "prodigiously talented", and praised for her freedom and mastery. She's been a soloist with countless orchestras around the world, from the Vienna Symphony to the orchestra Wellington, working with some of the world's best conductors.

She's also spread her wings widely in the chamber music genre, being a former violinist with the Eroica trio, a member of CMS Two, and performing with many other chamber groups around the world.

(Originally aired in February 2021)

Emma Dunch made her name in the arts sector in New York, and returned to Australia in 2018 to become CEO of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

 Emma joined Simon Moore to talk about the challenges of having to temporarily vacate their home at the Sydney Opera House - as well as the current pandemic - but also the exciting new era for the orchestra as they welcome Simon Young as chief conductor and their plans for their 10th decade.

(Originally aired in February 2021)

Clarinettist Nicole van Bruggen is co-artistic director of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra. She is a leader in the art of historically informed performance, and has performed extensively with some of Europe and Australia’s finest period instrument ensembles, including Concerto Copenhagen, the Netherlands Bach Society and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.

This episode is an extended version of the broadcast edition, with additional interview content.

(Originally aired in February 2021)

Alexander Berlage is an award-winning theatre director and lighting designer. His production of American Psycho won 9 Sydney Theatre Awards,  including Best Direction of a Musical, an award he had also won the previous year. 

Alexander joined Simon Moore to talk about his creative process and his work, including his upcoming production of Young Frankenstein at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney.

(Originally aired in February 2021)

Guy Noble is one of Australia’s most versatile conductors and musical entertainers; not only has he worked with all the major Australian orchestras, but also with artists as diverse as Yvonne Kenny and the Beach Boys. 

He’s also a broadcaster on the ABC, BBC, and the QANTAS in-flight classical channel.

Guy joined Simon Moore to kick off the 2021 season of In Conversation. 

(Originally aired in December 2020)

Brett Weymark is one of the foremost choral conductors in Australia. Since becoming music director of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs in 2003, he’s conducted the Choirs in performances around Australia and all around the world. He’s led all of Australia's state orchestras, as well as the Orchestra of the Antipodes, Sydney Youth Orchestra, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Brett joined Simon Moore for a very special edition of In Conversation - helping us celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven

(Originally aired in August 2019)

Mike Nock is an internationally acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and music educator.  After spending some 25 years in the USA, he returned to Australia in the  1980s and has made an enormous contribution to the Australian music scene ever since. 

In July 2018 he was struck by a car and spent many weeks in hospital before returning to performing.  Mike joined Christopher Waterhouse to discuss his background in music, his international jazz  career, and the role that music played in his recovery.

(Originally aired in September 2020)

Louise Herron has been at the helm of the Sydney Opera House since 2012, having previously been a lawyer and corporate adviser. She was chair of Sydney’s Belvoir Street Theatre for 10 years and has led  the development of the Opera House’s renewal program including major upgrades to the venues and facilities of one of the world’s most iconic  buildings. 

Louise joined Christopher Waterhouse to share some of the music that inspires her and some of the stories of her life and career - taking us behind the scenes of the Opera House to discover more about the vital but often hidden work that goes on behind the scenes.