In Conversation

It’s difficult to categorise Tom Gleisner, because he’s done it all. He’s a presenter, producer, director, writer, and actor, and even then that only scratches the surface of his talents. We first became aware of Tom thanks to The D Generation back in 1986, and as a part of Working Dog Productions he’s created comedy classics like Frontline and Utopia, panel shows like Have You Been Paying Attention and The Panel, and feature films such as the critically acclaimed The Castle and The Dish. But it’s musical theatre which Tom has most recently turned his hand to, writing the book and lyrics for Bloom, a new Australian musical set in an aged care facility.

Tom reflects on his inspiration for the show, and his desire to treat older characters with dignity and complexity. He also shares insights into the collaborative process of developing the musical. He also discusses his multifaceted career, from his early days with The D-Generation and Frontline, the success of The Panel, to his more recent work in television satire with The Hollowmen and Utopia. He talks about making The Castle on a shoestring and the greater complexities and budget requirements for The Dish. Beyond entertainment, Gleisner speaks passionately about his involvement in charity work, including co-founding an autism support organisation and chairing a cancer charity.

Bloom plays at the Roslyn Packer Theatre until May 11.

Zubin Kanga is a pianist, composer and technologist, who has been at the forefront of curating and creating interdisciplinary musical programs exploring what it means to be a performer in the 21st Century. His multi year project, Cyborg Solosits, is unlocking new possibilities in music making through interactions with motion and biosensors, new hybrid instruments, interactive visuals, and AI.

In this conversation, Zubin provides a fascinating glimpse into this project, where he is collaborating with dozens of composers around the world in an exciting exploration of the limitless possibilities that lie ahead in how we create, perform, and enjoy music.

Zubin also provides insights into the world premieres he will be performing, which includes one of his own compositions, with Ensemble Offspring to launch their 30th anniversary season, for Lumen Machine, on April 12 at The Neilson and April 13 at the Newcastle Conservatorium.

Globally renowned for his interpretation of baroque, classical and modern repertoire, counter-tenor Reginald Mobley is best known for his performances of JS Bach and Purcell. He’s sung with the Monteverdi Choir, the English Baroque Soloists, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Early Music Vancouver, among many others, as well as at the coronation of King Charles III. He’s also an advocate for diversity in music and its programming, and has become the first ever Programming Consultant for the Handel and Haydn Society in his home town of Boston. He’s come to Australia for a national tour with Bach Akadamie Australia.

Reggie reflects on the significance of J.S. Bach in his musical journey. He shares insights into his early years, the influences that shaped his distinctive vocal career, and his passion for bringing Baroque music to life. The conversation also touches on diversity in classical music, his collaborations with leading ensembles, and his passion for blending musical traditions. With a mix of humour and thoughtful reflection, Reggie offers a fascinating look into his artistry.

Reginald Mobley performs with Bach Akadamie Australia for The Countertenor – Bach’s Holy Spirit at venues around Australia until April 25. 

A pianist dubbed both as a “formidable talent” as well as “Australia’s pre-eminent chamber music pianist”, Kathryn Selby has performed with orchestras and chamber groups around the world, most extensively throughout Australia and North America. For nearly 15 years she was the anchor of the Macquarie Trio, which made many recordings, several of which were nominated for the Best Classical Album ARIA award. She’s perhaps most familiar to us now as the name behind the popular series of chamber music recitals, Selby and Friends which the Sydney Morning Herald has described as “chamber music at its best”.

Kathy talks about how her passion for the piano led her to study in the United States from a very young age. We hear about the founding of Selby & Friends, the challenges of making a career as a pianist, and the rise and fall of the Macquarie Trio. She also touches on her personal struggle of her early move to the States, plus stories about the many great musicians who have influenced her. 

Selby & Friends next concert series, Joyeux Anniversaire, is on around the country from the 6th to the 13th of April.

The New Yorker described cellist and composer Peter Gregson as “working at the forefront of the new music scene”. As a cellist, he has performed all over the world, from The Royal Albert Hall to Capitol Studios in Hollywood. He has composed music for award-winning TV shows and movies, including the much loved Bridgerton from Netflix, and The New Pope from HBO. He also crosses into the pop industry, having featured as both cello soloist and conductor for Ed Sheeran on his record-breaking 2017 album, Divide.

In this interview, Peter Gregson discusses his latest work, Everything We Hear Comes First from Silence, written for the Omega Ensemble. We hear about his inspiration from composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass, and his approach to blending acoustic instruments with electronics. He shares insights into his reimagining of the Bach Cello Suites, and how a chance encounter with Alan Rickman led him to compose for film and television.

The Omega Ensemble performs the world premiere of Peter’s new work, Everything We Here Comes First From Silence, as part of their upcoming tour La Musica Notturna from March 24-27.

Bass/baritone Adrian Tamburini has enjoyed a long and varied career in opera, musical theatre, and also as a director and producer. He has won two Green Room Awards, the second for his performance in Wagner’s Götterdämmerung, and has also been the winner of Australia’s most prestigious singing award, the Australian Opera Award. His voice features on international recordings, in cinema, and on radio and TV. He’s appeared in a raft of productions for opera companies around the country. On top of that, he’s a music educator and also a champion of new Australian works.

Adrian takes us through the inspirations and challenges he has had throughout his singing career, from boy soprano to the master of the underworld. He shares his recently found passion for music education and provides some insights on what it's like moving from the world of traditional opera to a large scale commercial musical.

Adrian Tamburini plays Hades in Hadestown, playing now at Sydney’s Theatre Royal until 26 April before heading to Melbourne.

Bobby Fox is best known for originating the role of Frankie Valli in the Australian production of Jersey Boys. He has appeared in many other musical theatre productions, including Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Spamalot, Oklahoma and Sweet Charity, amongst others, and he received a Helpmann nomination for his role in Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins which played at both the Hayes and the Sydney Opera House. He also has a shuffle in his shoes, having been a part of Riverdance as well as a four time World Irish Dance Champion. He has released the album The Fantastic Mr Fox.

Bobby takes us through his childhood in regional Ireland, learning to dance as soon as he could walk, and being part of Riverdance from just 15 years of age. His journey ultimately takes him to Australia where he has lived for over 20 years as a successful musical theatre performer.

Bobby Fox appears in Guys and Dolls, this year's Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour thanks to Opera Australia, from 21 March to 20 April.

One of Australia’s most eclectic, respected and prolific artists, Eddie Perfect has received multiple awards and nominations for the different strands of his work. He won the 2009 Helpmann Award for Best New Australian Work for Shane Warne: The Musical, and received a Tony nomination for Best Original Score for his work as composer/lyricist of Beetlejuice. He’s back on stage to star in Opera Australia’s new production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, and from this May will once again perform his own music as he takes on the title role in the Australian run of Beetlejuice.

In this conversation, Eddie takes a deep dive into the development and creation of a successful Broadway show, charting his initial struggle to get his foot in the door, the long process of writing, workshopping, and re-writing, to coping with the initial out-of-town and Broadway premieres to an initially lacklustre critical response. The show went on to receive eight Tony nominations. He also talks about his formative years as a performer that eventually led to creating Shane Warne: The Musical.

This episode of In Conversation contains additional content to the broadcast edition.

Latvian cellist and conductor Margarita Balanas has played at venues around the world, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. She’s performed as soloist with the Munich Philharmonic and the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra among many others, and conducted orchestras including the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and the Baltic Sea Philharmonic, and is the founder and music director of the ANONIMI orchestra and charity.

As children, Margarita and her siblings raised money by busking in order to afford the travel and entry fees to be able to play in competitions. Her incredible tenacity and motivation took her to London and the Purcell School, then the Royal Academy of Music, and lead her to becoming assistant conductor to Paavo Järvi. Margarita shares this incredible journey with us, as well as a number of pieces she has performed with her sister, violinist Kristine Balanas, as part of that journey.

Follow Margarita on Instagram @margaritabalanas and on her website www.margaritabalanas.com

A British composer, writer and broadcaster, Stephen Johnson has a long and eclectic career. His book titles include Discover Music of the Classical Era, The Eighth: Mahler and the World in 1910, and How Shostakovich Changed My Mind, not to mention his curation of a book of ghost stories. His compositions include a String Quartet for the Brodsky Quartet, andBehemoth Dances for the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra. He was also a long-time broadcaster with the BBC’s classical radio channel, Radio 3, particularly for his acclaimed program Discovering Music. He’s been called “The authoritative British voice of classical music”.

This conversation dips into Stephen's vast musical knowledge, and he very candidly talks about music's role in mental health and his own struggles with illness. He also shares some of his experiences a the BBC and the catalysts for some of his writing.

This program was recorded at the 2024 Australian Festival of Chamber Music. The 2025 Festival runs from 25 July to 2 August in Townsville. For more information, and to become a Friend of the Festival which entitles you to priority tickets, visit afcm.com.au