Derek Parker has been a presenter at Fine Music Sydney for over 15 years, but his career in radio is far longer than that. He’s been a figure in broadcasting on radio and television for a staggering 70 years, but as if that’s not enough he’s also written over 50 books - covering topics as diverse as the golden years of radio and erotic fiction. But sadly for us here at Fine Music Sydney, he and his wife Julia have decided to return to their native Britain. He will much missed, both on air and off.

UPDATE: This end of this episode has been updated following Derek's passing in January 2025.

(Originally aired in April 2021)

Francesco Ventriglia is a dancer, choreographer and artistic director. Making his premiere at La Scala, he’s performed with the Bolshoi Theatre, the  Mariinsky Ballet, Grand Theatre du Geneve, the Venice Biennale. He became Europe’s youngest artistic director in 2010 when he was appointed by the Florence Opera House, and was the artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet during the middle of the last decade.

He’s now in Sydney as the co-founder and artistic director of the Sydney Choreographic Centre, which was launched in March, and has its premier performance this month at the Parramatta Riverside Theatres.

Geoffrey Chard AM is a doyen of the opera world. He was part of the inaugural production of the Australian Elizabethan Trust Opera Company – the forerunner to Opera Australia – back in 1956. He never looked back, performing regularly with the Royal Opera Company at Covent Garden, the English National Opera as well as Opera Australia. In 1988 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to opera, and late last year celebrated his 90th birthday. 

In this episode, Geoffrey regales us with tales of his long and rich career.

Madeleine Easton is a violinist internationally recognised for her versatility and expertise. 

She’s appeared as a soloist, concertmaster and director of some of the world’s most respected ensembles and orchestras. Her mentor John Eliot Gardiner described her as having “fire in her belly and a spirit of enterprise” – which probably helps to explain why she is now the founder and artistic director of one of Australia’s newest orchestras, Bach Akademie Australia.

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.

(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.

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.