Jump to content

Fiona Janes: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Authority control
 
(19 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Australian mezzo soprano and arts administrator.}}
{{Short description|Australian mezzo soprano and arts administrator.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
'''Fiona Janes''' (born in [[Sydney]], Australia on 28 December 1964) is an Australian [[mezzo soprano]] and arts administrator. She began her operatic career as a principal artist with [[Opera Australia|Opera Australia]] in 1988 and resigned in 2005, disappointed with her role in the organisation. She has worked in the UK and Europe as well as Australia, and in 2010 she became the general manager and artistic director of the [[Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9316676--romantic-french-arias |title=Romantic French Arias |publisher=presto music |access-date=2 September 2023}}</ref> She has won various awards and made a several recordings, including DVD's for [[Opera Australia]].
{{Infobox person
| name = Fiona Janes (mezzo soprano)
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1964|12|28}}
| birth_place = [[Sydney]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| other_names =
| known_for = International opera singer and arts administrator
| education =
⚫
| employer = Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation
| occupation = Mezzo soprano & Arts Administrator
| title =
| salary =
| networth =
| height =
| weight =
| term =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| party =
| boards =
| religion =
| spouse =
| partner =
| children =
| parents =
| relatives =
| signature =
| website =
| footnotes =
| nationality = Australian
}}
'''Fiona Janes''' (born in [[Sydney]], Australia on 28 December 1964) is an international Australian [[mezzo-soprano]] and Arts Administrator.


== Early years and Training ==
== Early life and training ==
Educated at [[Killara High School]] and [[Pittwater High School]], she studied ballet and violin before taking up singing lessons privately at the age of 15 with Margaret Garrett and then Valerie Collins-Varga at the [[Sydney Conservatorium of Music]].{{cn}}
Educated at [[Killara High School]] and [[Pittwater High School]] in Sydney, she studied ballet and violin before taking up singing lessons privately at the age of 15 with Margaret Garrett and then Valerie Collins-Varga at the [[Sydney Conservatorium of Music]].{{cn|date=September 2023}}


She worked as a secretary for Chartered Accountants, Routley & Routley from 1982 to 1983 and then for [[Opera Australia]] from 1984 to 1987 in the artistic and marketing departments creating the company's photographic and audio visual archives. In 1986 she was awarded the George Sautelle Prize for outstanding potential, and came second in the 32nd [[Shell Aria contest]] at the Canberra School of Music.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 June 1986 |title=Shell Aria very even contest |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118128854 |access-date=23 September 2023 |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=60 |issue=18,534}}</ref> That same year she won "The Marianne Mathy" first prize at the [[Australian Singing Competition]] (ASC).<ref name="ASC">{{cite news |author=Fred Blanks |date=19 March 1987 |title=Music Singing for Gold |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article263198227 |access-date=23 September 2023 |newspaper=[[The Australian Jewish Times]] |location=New South Wales, Australia |page=33 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=92 |issue=24}}</ref> Within a year she appeared in a radio concert with the [[Sydney Symphony Orchestra]] under David Agler,<ref>{{cite news |date=25 February 1987 |title=Today's radio |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118121136 |access-date=23 September 2023 |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=61 |issue=18,772}}</ref> She spent 1987 in London, studying singing privately with Vida Harford and numerous vocal coaches before being asked to join Opera Australia's Young Artists' Programme in 1988. That year, she was one of eight artists chosen to perform highlights of opera and operetta in the Great Hall at the opening of the new [[Parliament House, Canberra]].<ref>{{cite news |author=W. L. Hoffmann |date=7 November 1988 |title=Parliament House was the Stage for Concert |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110611959 |access-date=23 September 2023 |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=63 |issue=19,390}}</ref>
In 1986 she was awarded the George Sautelle Prize for outstanding potential, and came second in the 32nd [[Shell Aria contest]] at the Canberra School of Music.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118128854 |title=Shell Aria very even contest |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=60 |issue=18,534 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=30 June 1986 |access-date=23 September 2023 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
That same year she won "The Mathy" prize at the [[Australian Singing Competition]] (ASC).<ref name=ASC>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article263198227 |author=Fred Blanks |title=Music Singing for Gold |newspaper=[[The Australian Jewish Times]] |volume=92 |issue=24 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=19 March 1987 |access-date=23 September 2023 |page=33 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Within a year she appeared in a radio concert with the [[Sydney Symphony Orchestra]] under [[David Agler]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118121136 |title=Today's radio |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=61 |issue=18,772 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=25 February 1987 |access-date=23 September 2023 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Thank to her ASC win, she was able to undertake further studies in London and Europe<ref name=ASC/> and on her return, was engaged by [[Australian Opera]], and was one of eight artists chosen to perform highlights of opera and operetta in the Great Hall at the opening of the new [[Parliament House, Canberra]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110611959 |author=W. L. Hoffmann |title=Parliament House was the Stage for Concert |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=63 |issue=19,390 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=7 November 1988 |access-date=23 September 2023 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In that year she was appointed [[principal artist]].<ref name=Usher>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/on-a-controversial-note-20100927-15u4e.html |title=On a controversial note |author=Robin Usher |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=28 September 2010 |access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref>


⚫
She continued her vocal studies throughout her career working with such teachers and coaches as [[Sena Jurinac]], [[György Fischer]], Ernest St John Metz, Rita Loving and David Harper.
In the following years she played Cherubino in ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120901892 |title=Lewis to sing title role of AO season opener 'Rigoletto' |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=63 |issue=19,445 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=2 January 1989 |access-date=23 September 2023 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> reprised at the Canberra Festival,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120915420 |title=Daily Diary |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=63 |issue=19,511 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=10 March 1989 |access-date=23 September 2023 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and Dorabella in ''[[Così fan tutte]]'' to [[Yvonne Kenny]]'s Fioriligi.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article261892282 |title=New Productions in Opera |newspaper=[[The Australian Jewish News]] |volume=56 |issue=7 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=17 November 1989 |access-date=23 September 2023 |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


== Operatic career ==
She won a [[Green Room award]] for her role in ''[[Norma (opera)|Norma]]'' (2004).<ref name=Usher/> her last with OA; in 2005 [[Richard Hickox]] was appointed music director, and apparently [[blacklisted]] Janes and others.<ref name=Usher/>
Janes performed as a principal mezzo soprano from 1988 to 2014 throughout Australia, UK and Europe.


She made her principal role debut at Opera Australia as the understudy for Mercedes in ''[[Carmen]]'' at the age of 24, becoming one of the company's youngest principal [https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/3528788 singers]. Her first official role was a few weeks later as Annio in Mozart's ''[[La clemenza di Tito|La Clemenza di Tito]]'' in the [[Sydney Opera House]] Concert Hall with [[Christopher Hogwood|Sir Christopher Hogwood]] conducting, also for [[Opera Australia]]. In the following years she played Cherubino in ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]'',<ref>{{cite news |date=2 January 1989 |title=Lewis to sing title role of AO season opener ''Rigoletto'' |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120901892 |access-date=23 September 2023 |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=63 |issue=19,445}}</ref> and Dorabella in ''[[Così fan tutte]]'' to [[Yvonne Kenny]]'s Fiordiligi.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 November 1989 |title=New Productions in Opera |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article261892282 |access-date=23 September 2023 |newspaper=[[The Australian Jewish News]] |location=Victoria, Australia |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=56 |issue=7}}</ref>
In January 2008 Janes and bass-baritone [[Bruce Martin (bass-baritone)|Bruce Martin]] left Opera Australia. She penned a letter to the board, complaining that the company had slid into a "sea of mediocrity",<ref name=Usher/> criticisms echoed by Martin, who said "The board is not interested in what she has to say. They simply want her to be quiet."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/noises-off-opera-singer-was-made-to-sound-like-a-goat-20081003-gdsxdb.html |title=Opera Singer Made to Sound 'like a goat' |author=Bryce Hallett |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=3 October 2008|access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref>
The letter was published by the ''Herald'', leading to schisms and accusations that under [[Gordon Fell]] the board had become a self-satisfied social clique.<ref name=Usher/> Martin, who felt that a Chandos recording of ''Rusalka'' under Hickox' direction deliberately falsified his voice, accused the board of nepotism and cronyism.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.themonthly.com.au/letters/bruce-martin |title=Bruce Martin |newspaper=The Monthly |date=22 October 2008 |access-date=23 September 2023}}</ref>


⚫
Other roles for that company included Adalgisa in ''[[Norma (opera)|Norma]]'' opposite Elizabeth Connell, Angelina and Tisbe in ''[[La Cenerentola]]'', Donna Elvira and Zerlina in ''[[Don Giovanni]]'', Rosina in ''[[The Barber of Seville|Il barbiere di Siviglia]]'', Sesto in ''[[Giulio Cesare]]'', Isabella in ''[[L'italiana in Algeri|L'italiana in Algieri]]'', Komponist in ''[[Ariadne auf Naxos]]'', Annio and Sesto in ''[[La clemenza di Tito|La Clemenza di Tito]]'', Lola in ''[[Cavalleria rusticana|Cavalleria Rusticana]]'', Mistress Quickly in ''[[Falstaff (opera)|Falstaff]]'', Lake Lost with [[Baz Luhrmann]], Whitsunday with [[Neil Armfield|Neil Armfeld]] and the roles Javotte in ''[[Manon]]'', Kate Pinkerton in ''[[Madama Butterfly]]'' and Tessa in ''[[The Gondoliers]]''. She appeared as a soloist in Opera Australia's Bellini Gala & New Year's Eve Gala with [[Simone Young]], A New Year's Eve Gala with [[Richard Bonynge]] and the 50th Anniversary Gala in 2006.
Hickox died from a heart attack late that year. Fell was replaced by [[Ziggy Switkowski]] and many older board members retired. [[Lyndon Terracini]], an Australian, was appointed artistic director. Improvements were made, but not enough for Janes. Experienced singers were being overlooked in preference for younger ones who were satisfied with lower remuneration (but conversely she bemoaned the number of young talented singers going overseas for opportunities).<ref name=Usher/>


⚫
Other performances have included: Siebel in ''[[Faust (opera)|Faust]]'' for [[Victoria State Opera]] and [[Opera Queensland]], Nero in ''[[Agrippina (opera)|Agrippina]]'' at the [[Buxton Festival]], U.K., Rosina for [[Dutch National Opera|Netherlands Opera]], [[English National Opera]] and [[Welsh National Opera]], Second Lady in ''[[The Magic Flute]]'' and Meg in ''[[Falstaff (opera)|Falstaff]]'' for [[English National Opera]], Sesto in ''[[La clemenza di Tito|La Clemenza di Tito]]'' for [[Glyndebourne Festival Opera|Glyndebourne Touring Opera]], Bertarido in ''[[Rodelinda (opera)|Rodelinda]]'' for Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation, Adalgisa in ''Norma'' for [[West Australian Opera]], Idamante in ''[[Idomeneo]]'' for Flanders Philhamonic in Antwerp, Margherite in ''[[La damnation de Faust|Damnation of Faust]]'' for [[Royal Scottish National Orchestra]] and Lyric Opera of Queensland, Ascanio in ''[[Les Troyens]]'' for [[London Symphony Orchestra]] with [[Colin Davis|Sir Colin Davis]], Angelina at the Semperoper Dresden and Opera New Zealand and Scitalce in Meyerbeer's ''[[Semiramide riconosciuta (Meyerbeer)|Semiramide]]'' for the [[Rossini Opera Festival|Rossini Festival]] in Germany with [[Richard Bonynge]]. She has also worked for the [[Royal Opera House|Royal Opera House Covent Garden]] on ''La Cenerentola'' and ''Il barbiere di Siviglia'' and [[Scottish Opera]] on ''Le nozze di Figaro''.
With a lighter work schedule, Janes spend more time mentoring younger singers. She was the artistic co-ordinator for the Joan Sutherland Society of Sydney, and acted as adjudicator for the [[Herald Sun Aria]] competition.<ref name=Usher/>


⚫
Janes has sung in concert with the [[Sydney Symphony Orchestra]], [[Melbourne Symphony Orchestra]], [[Australian Chamber Orchestra]], Adelaide Symphony, West Australian Symphony, [[Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra|Tasmanian Symphony]], [[Queensland Symphony Orchestra|Queensland Symphony]], [[Sydney Philharmonia Choirs]], [[Royal Scottish National Orchestra]], [[London Symphony Orchestra]], the London, Flanders, Bournemouth and Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestras, the National Orchestra of Spain in Madrid, [[New Zealand Symphony Orchestra|New Zealand Symphony]], [[Opera North]], Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Huntington Estate and at the [[List of Edinburgh festivals|Edinburgh Festival]] with [[Charles Mackerras|Sir Charles Mackerras]]. Her concert repertoire includes: Verdi's [[Requiem (Verdi)|Requiem]], Elgar's ''[[The Dream of Gerontius|Dream of Gerontius]]'', Mahler's Symphony No.2, Beethoven's [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|9th Symphony]], Mass in C and Missa Solemnis, Mozart's [[Requiem (Mozart)|Requiem]], Rossini's [[Stabat Mater]], Bach's ''[[St Matthew Passion]]'', Schubert's Mass in A Flat and Mozart's [[Coronation Mass (Mozart)|Coronation Mass]], Handel's ''[[L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato|L'Allegro il Penseroso ed il Moderato]]'' and ''[[Messiah (Handel)|Messiah]]'', Berlioz' ''[[Roméo et Juliette (Berlioz)|Roméo et Juliette]]'' and Stravinsky's ''[[Pulcinella (ballet)|Pulcinella]]''. She has won multiple awards and made numerous recordings.


== Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation and Elizabeth Connell Scholarship Trust ==
⚫
In 2010, Janes became the CEO and Artistic Director and was a founding Director of the [[Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation]] [https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9316676--romantic-french-arias], a Sydney based charity that provides scholarships for young singers. She created of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award in 2011, one of Australia's major operatic singing competitions. In 2014, she created the Sydney International Song Prize to encourage Art Song in Australia. To date, the Foundation has awarded over $1million in scholarships to young musicians.


⚫
In 2012, she was asked by the South African soprano [[Elizabeth Connell]], prior to her death, to create a scholarship in her name and to be a founding Trustee for the Elizabeth Connell Scholarship Trust. Janes created the Elizabeth Connell International Singing Competition for Dramatic Sopranos in 2014 which was presented under the umbrella of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation |url=https://www.jsrbfoundation.com/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation |language=en}}</ref> To date it has awarded over $450,000 to aspiring female singers. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation |url=https://www.jsrbfoundation.com/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
She worked as a secretary for [[Opera Australia]] from 1984 to 1987. She spent 1987 in London, studying singing privately with Vida Harford and numerous vocal coaches before joining Opera Australia's Young Artists Programme in 1988. She continued her vocal studies throughout her career working with such teachers and coaches as [[Sena Jurinac]], [[György Fischer]], Ernest St John Metz, Rita Loving and David Harper.


She gives Masterclasses for young emerging singers and has been a judge for many of the major singing competitions throughout [[Australia]] including the Australian Singing Competition, Sydney Eisteddfod, Bathurst Eisteddfod and the [[Herald Sun Aria]] competition.<ref name="Usher">{{cite news |author=Robin Usher |date=28 September 2010 |title=On a controversial note |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/on-a-controversial-note-20100927-15u4e.html |access-date=23 September 2023 |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> She is the principal judge for the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award and the Elizabeth Connell Prize.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation |url=https://www.jsrbfoundation.com/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation |language=en}}</ref>
== Career ==
⚫
Janes made her principal role debut at [https://opera.org.au/ Opera Australia] as the understudy for Mercedes in [[Carmen]] at the age of 24. Her first official role was a few weeks later as Annio in Mozart's [[La clemenza di Tito|La Clemenza di Tito]] in the [[Sydney Opera House]] Concert Hall with Sir Christopher Hogwood conducting, also for [[Opera Australia]]. Other roles for that company included, Adalgisa in Norma, Angelina and Tisbe in [[La Cenerentola]], Donna Elvira and Zerlina in [[Don Giovanni]], Mercedes in [[Carmen]], Rosina in [[The Barber of Seville|Il barbiere di Siviglia]], Sesto in [[Giulio Cesare]], Isabella in [[L'italiana in Algeri|L’italiana in Algieri]], Composer in [[Ariadne auf Naxos]], Dorabella in [[Così fan tutte|Cosi fan tutte]], Cherubino in [[The Marriage of Figaro|Le nozze di Figaro]], Annio & Sesto in [[La clemenza di Tito|La Clemenza di Tito]], Lola in [[Cavalleria rusticana|Cavalleria Rusticana]], Mistress Quickly in [[Falstaff (opera)|Falstaff]], Lake Lost with [[Baz Luhrmann]], Whitsunday with [[Neil Armfield|Neil Armfeld]] and the roles Javotte in [[Manon]], Kate Pinkerton in [[Madama Butterfly]] and Tessa in [[The Gondoliers]]. She has also appeared as a soloist in Opera Australia’s Bellini Gala & New Year’s Eve Gala with [[Simone Young]], A New Year’s Eve Gala with [[Richard Bonynge]] and the 50th Anniversary Gala in 2006.


⚫
In 2020, she wrote the Introduction and co-produced Richard Bonynge's book ''Chalet Monet: Inside the Home of Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge'', published by Melbourne Books.
In 1992 she moved to London to pursue an international career in Europe often returning to Australia performing with all the major opera companies and orchestras.


== Charity work ==
⚫
Other performances have included: Siebel in [[Faust (opera)|Faust]] for [[Victoria State Opera]] and [[Opera Queensland]], Nero in [[Agrippina (opera)|Agrippina]] at the [[Buxton Festival]], U.K., Rosina for [[Dutch National Opera|Netherlands Opera]], [[English National Opera]] and [[Welsh National Opera]], Second Lady in [[The Magic Flute]] and Meg in Falstaff for [[English National Opera]], Sesto in [[La clemenza di Tito|La Clemenza di Tito]] for [[Glyndebourne Festival Opera|Glyndebourne Touring Opera]], Bertarido in [[Rodelinda (opera)|Rodelinda]] for Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation, Adalgisa in Norma for [[West Australian Opera]], Idamante in [[Idomeneo]] for Flanders Philhamonic in Antwerp, Margherite in [[La damnation de Faust|Damnation of Faust]] for [[Royal Scottish National Orchestra]] and Lyric Opera of Queensland, Ascanio in Les Trojans for [[London Symphony Orchestra]] with [[Colin Davis|Sir Colin Davis]], Angelina at the Semperoper Dresden and Opera New Zealand and Scitalce in Meyerbeer’s [[Semiramide riconosciuta (Meyerbeer)|Semiramide]] for the [[Rossini Opera Festival|Rossini Festival]] in Germany with [[Richard Bonynge]]. She has also worked for the [[Royal Opera House|Royal Opera House Covent Garden]] on La Cenerentola and Il barbiere di Siviglia and [[Scottish Opera]] on Le nozze di Figaro.
In 2004, she was invited to perform at [[High Commission of Australia, London|Australia House]] in London for the Tate Memorial Trust, conducted by [[Richard Bonynge]] in the presence of H.R.H. [[Prince of Wales|The Prince of Wales]] and [[Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Duchess of Cornwell]]. Throughout her performing career she has performed in concert for numerous charities including for Opera Australia, Aids research, Deaf & Blind Charity and Children's Hospital, Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation, Opera & Arts Support Group, [[Tait Memorial Trust]] in London.

⚫
Janes has sung in concert with the [[Sydney Symphony Orchestra]], [[Melbourne Symphony Orchestra]], [[Australian Chamber Orchestra]], Adelaide Symphony, West Australian Symphony, [[Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra|Tasmanian Symphony]], [[Queensland Symphony Orchestra|Queensland Symphony]], [[Sydney Philharmonia Choirs]], [[Royal Scottish National Orchestra]], [[London Symphony Orchestra]], the London, Flanders, Bournemouth and Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestras, the National Orchestra of Spain in Madrid, [[New Zealand Symphony Orchestra|New Zealand Symphony]], [[Opera North]], Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Huntington Estate and at the [[List of Edinburgh festivals|Edinburgh Festival]] with [[Charles Mackerras|Sir Charles Mackerras]]. Her concert repertoire includes: [[Requiem (Verdi)|Verdi Requiem]], [[The Dream of Gerontius|Dream of Gerontius]], Mahler’s Symphony No.2, [[Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)|Beethoven 9th Symphony]], Mass in C and Missa Solemnis, [[Requiem (Mozart)|Mozart Requiem]], Rossini Stabat Mater, [[St Matthew Passion]], Schubert Mass in A Flat and Coronation Mass, Handel’s [[L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato|L’Allegro il Penseroso ed il Moderato]] and Messiah, Berlioz Romeo et Juliette and Stravinsky’s Pulcinella. In 2004, she was invited to perform at [[High Commission of Australia, London|Australia House]] in London for the Tate Memorial Trust, conducted by [[Richard Bonynge]] in the presence of H.R.H. [[Prince of Wales|The Prince of Wales]] and [[Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall|Duchess of Cornwell]]. Throughout her performing career she has performed in concert for numerous charities including for Opera Australia, Aids research, Deaf & Blind Charity and Children's Hospital, [https://www.jsrbfoundation.com/ Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation], [[Tait Memorial Trust]] in London.

⚫
== Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation ==
⚫
Janes is the Artistic Director, General Manager and a founding Director of the [https://www.jsrbfoundation.com/ Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation] - a Sydney based charity that provides scholarships for young singers. She created of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award in 2011, one of Australia's major operatic singing competitions.

⚫
In 2012, she was asked by the South African soprano [[Elizabeth Connell]], prior to her death, to create a scholarship in her name and to be a founding Trustee for the Elizabeth Connell Scholarship Trust. Janes created the Elizabeth Connell International Singing Competition for Dramatic Sopranos in 2014 which was presented under the umbrella of the [https://www.jsrbfoundation.com/ Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation.]

She gives Masterclasses for young emerging singers and has been a judge for all the major singing competitions throughout [[Australia]]. She is the principal judge for the [http://www.jsrbfoundation.com Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award] and [http://www.jsrbfoundation.com Elizabeth Connell Prize].

⚫
In 2020 she wrote the Introduction and co-produced Richard Bonynge's book Chalet Monet: Inside the Home of Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge, published by Melbourne Books.


== Positions ==
== Positions ==
* 1988 – 2007 Principal Artist with Opera Australia

* 1988 - 2007 Principal Artist with Opera Australia
* 1992 – 2014 Freelance Principal Opera Singer
* 1992 - 2014 Freelance Principal Opera Singer
* 2010 Founding Director of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation
* 2010 Founding Director of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation
* 2010 - to present, General Manager and Artistic Director of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation
* 2010 – present CEO and Artistic Director of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation
* 2012 Founding Trustee for the Elizabeth Connell Scholarship
* 2012 Founding Trustee for the Elizabeth Connell Scholarship
* 2012 - to present, General Manager & Artistic Director of the Elizabeth Connell Prize
* 2012 - present CEO and Artistic Director of the Elizabeth Connell Prize
* Member of Pacific Opera’s Council of Patrons.
* Member of Pacific Opera's Council of Patrons


== Awards ==
== Awards ==


* 1983 Joan Sutherland Society Scholarship - [[Sydney Eisteddfod]]
* 1983 Joan Sutherland Society Scholarship – [[Sydney Eisteddfod]]
* 1986 [[Australian Singing Competition]] Marianne Mathy Award
* 1986 [[Australian Singing Competition]] Marianne Mathy Award
* 1991 Remy Martin Scholarship - [[Opera Australia]]
* 1991 Remy Martin Scholarship – [[Opera Australia]]
* 1995 Vienna State Opera Award - Opera Foundation Australia & Bull Fellowship.
* 1995 Vienna State Opera Award – Opera Foundation Australia and Bull Fellowship.
* 1997 Victorian [[Green Room Awards|Green Room Award]] win and [[Mo Awards|MO Award]] nomination for Angelina the title role in [[La Cenerentola]] - [[Opera Australia]]
* 1997 Victorian [[Green Room Awards|Green Room Award]] win and [[Mo Awards|MO Award]] nomination for Angelina the title role in ''[[La Cenerentola]]'' – [[Opera Australia]]
* 1998 Victorian [[Green Room Awards|Green Room Award]] nomination for Rosina in [[The Barber of Seville|Il barbiere di Siviglia]] - [[Opera Australia]]
* 1998 Victorian [[Green Room Awards|Green Room Award]] nomination for Rosina in ''[[The Barber of Seville|Il barbiere di Siviglia]]'' – Opera Australia
* 2004 [[Green Room Awards|Victorian Green Room Award]] win & [[Helpmann Awards|Helpmann Award]] nomination for Adalgisa in Norma - [[Opera Australia]]
* 2004 [[Green Room Awards|Victorian Green Room Award]] win and [[Helpmann Awards|Helpmann Award]] nomination for Adalgisa in Norma – Opera Australia


== Recordings ==
== Recordings ==


* Rodelinda by G F Handel - Bertarido, conducted by [[Richard Bonynge]] (ABC Classics - CD)
* ''Rodelinda'' by G. F. Handel – Bertarido, conducted by [[Richard Bonynge]] (ABC Classics CD)
* [[Lurline (opera)|Lurline]] by [[William Vincent Wallace]] - Ghiva, conducted by Richard Bonynge (Naxos - CD)
* ''[[Lurline (opera)|Lurline]]'' by [[William Vincent Wallace]] – Ghiva, conducted by Richard Bonynge (Naxos CD)
* [[Semiramide riconosciuta (Meyerbeer)|Semiramide]] by [[Giacomo Meyerbeer|Meyerbeer]] - Scitalce, conducted by Richard Bonynge (Naxos - CD)
* ''[[Semiramide riconosciuta (Meyerbeer)|Semiramide]]'' by [[Giacomo Meyerbeer|Meyerbeer]] – Scitalce, conducted by Richard Bonynge (Naxos CD)
* [[Così fan tutte]] by Mozart - Dorabella (Opera Australia DVD)
* ''[[Così fan tutte]]'' by Mozart – Dorabella (Opera Australia DVD)
* [[Don Giovanni]] by [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]] - Zerlina (Opera Australia DVD)
* ''[[Don Giovanni]]'' by Mozart – Zerlina (Opera Australia DVD)
* Verdi Requiem - Mezzo soloist (Royal Melbourne Philharmonic CD)
* [[Requiem (Verdi)|Verdi Requiem]] – mezzo-soprano soloist (Royal Melbourne Philharmonic CD)
* Beethoven 9 Symphony mezzo soloist, conducted by [[Charles Mackerras|Sir Charles Mackerras]] (Signum Classics)
* Beethoven 9th Symphony – mezzo-soprano soloist, conducted by [[Charles Mackerras|Sir Charles Mackerras]] (Signum Classics)
* [[Parisina (Donizetti)|Parisina]] by [[Gaetano Donizetti|Donizetti]] - soloist (Opera Rara - CD)
* ''[[Parisina (Donizetti)|Parisina]]'' by [[Gaetano Donizetti|Donizetti]] – soloist (Opera Rara CD)
* [[Pulcinella (ballet)|Pulcinella]] by [[Igor Stravinsky|Stravinsky]] - soloist (Naxos - CD)
* ''[[Pulcinella (ballet)|Pulcinella]]'' by [[Igor Stravinsky|Stravinsky]] – soloist (Naxos CD)
* 50th Anniversary Opera Australia Gala Concert - soloist (Opera Australia DVD)
* 50th Anniversary Opera Australia Gala Concert – soloist (Opera Australia DVD)
* ABC/Opera Australia Mozart Bicentennial - soloist (Opera Australia/ABC CD)
* ABC/Opera Australia Mozart Bicentennial – soloist (Opera Australia/ABC CD)


== Publications ==
== Publications ==


* Who’s Who of International Music (listed)
* Who's Who of International Music (listed)
* Contemporary Australian Women (listed)
* Contemporary Australian Women (listed)
* [[Who's Who in Australia|Who’s Who of Australian Women]] (listed)
* [[Who's Who in Australia|Who's Who of Australian Women]] (listed)
* Chalet Monet: Inside the Home of Dame Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge - [[Richard Bonynge]] (2020 Author of the Introduction)
* Chalet Monet: Inside the Home of Dame Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge – [[Richard Bonynge]] (2020 Author of the introduction)
* Timing is Everything – [[Moffatt Oxenbould|Moffatt Oxenbould's]] Memoirs (mention)
* Timing is Everything – [[Moffatt Oxenbould|Moffatt Oxenbould's]] Memoirs (mention)
* Choir Man - [[Jonathon Welch]] - (mention)
* Choir Man – [[Jonathon Welch]] – (mention)
* Joan Sutherland My Favourites 2020 CD ([[Decca Records|Decca]] Article piece)
* Joan Sutherland My Favourites 2020 CD ([[Decca Records|Decca]] Article piece)
* Romantic French Arias Joan Sutherland CD ([[Decca Records|Decca]] Article piece) [https://www.eloquenceclassics.com/releases-archive/joan-sutherland-romantic-french-arias/]


== References ==
== References ==
<!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using<ref></ref> tags, these references will then appear here automatically -->
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==

* {{official|https://www.fionajanes.com/}}
* {{official|https://www.fionajanes.com/}}
* [http://www.jsrbfoundation.com Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation]
* [http://www.jsrbfoundation.com Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation]
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0417476/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 IMDB Don Giovanni]
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0417476/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 IMDB Don Giovanni]
* [https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/3528788 National Library of Australia]


{{Portal bar|Biography|Opera}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Janes, Fiona}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Sydney]]
[[Category:Australian opera singers]]
[[Category:Operatic mezzo-sopranos]]

Latest revision as of 10:45, 30 January 2024

Fiona Janes (mezzo soprano)
Born (1964-12-28) 28 December 1964 (age 59)
Sydney
NationalityAustralian
OccupationMezzo soprano & Arts Administrator
EmployerJoan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation
Known forInternational opera singer and arts administrator

Fiona Janes (born in Sydney, Australia on 28 December 1964) is an international Australian mezzo-soprano and Arts Administrator.

Early life and training

[edit]

Educated at Killara High School and Pittwater High School in Sydney, she studied ballet and violin before taking up singing lessons privately at the age of 15 with Margaret Garrett and then Valerie Collins-Varga at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.[citation needed]

She worked as a secretary for Chartered Accountants, Routley & Routley from 1982 to 1983 and then for Opera Australia from 1984 to 1987 in the artistic and marketing departments creating the company's photographic and audio visual archives. In 1986 she was awarded the George Sautelle Prize for outstanding potential, and came second in the 32nd Shell Aria contest at the Canberra School of Music.[1] That same year she won "The Marianne Mathy" first prize at the Australian Singing Competition (ASC).[2] Within a year she appeared in a radio concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under David Agler,[3] She spent 1987 in London, studying singing privately with Vida Harford and numerous vocal coaches before being asked to join Opera Australia's Young Artists' Programme in 1988. That year, she was one of eight artists chosen to perform highlights of opera and operetta in the Great Hall at the opening of the new Parliament House, Canberra.[4]

She continued her vocal studies throughout her career working with such teachers and coaches as Sena Jurinac, György Fischer, Ernest St John Metz, Rita Loving and David Harper.

Operatic career

[edit]

Janes performed as a principal mezzo soprano from 1988 to 2014 throughout Australia, UK and Europe.

She made her principal role debut at Opera Australia as the understudy for Mercedes in Carmen at the age of 24, becoming one of the company's youngest principal singers. Her first official role was a few weeks later as Annio in Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall with Sir Christopher Hogwood conducting, also for Opera Australia. In the following years she played Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro,[5] and Dorabella in Così fan tutte to Yvonne Kenny's Fiordiligi.[6]

Other roles for that company included Adalgisa in Norma opposite Elizabeth Connell, Angelina and Tisbe in La Cenerentola, Donna Elvira and Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Sesto in Giulio Cesare, Isabella in L'italiana in Algieri, Komponist in Ariadne auf Naxos, Annio and Sesto in La Clemenza di Tito, Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana, Mistress Quickly in Falstaff, Lake Lost with Baz Luhrmann, Whitsunday with Neil Armfeld and the roles Javotte in Manon, Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly and Tessa in The Gondoliers. She appeared as a soloist in Opera Australia's Bellini Gala & New Year's Eve Gala with Simone Young, A New Year's Eve Gala with Richard Bonynge and the 50th Anniversary Gala in 2006.

Other performances have included: Siebel in Faust for Victoria State Opera and Opera Queensland, Nero in Agrippina at the Buxton Festival, U.K., Rosina for Netherlands Opera, English National Opera and Welsh National Opera, Second Lady in The Magic Flute and Meg in Falstaff for English National Opera, Sesto in La Clemenza di Tito for Glyndebourne Touring Opera, Bertarido in Rodelinda for Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation, Adalgisa in Norma for West Australian Opera, Idamante in Idomeneo for Flanders Philhamonic in Antwerp, Margherite in Damnation of Faust for Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Lyric Opera of Queensland, Ascanio in Les Troyens for London Symphony Orchestra with Sir Colin Davis, Angelina at the Semperoper Dresden and Opera New Zealand and Scitalce in Meyerbeer's Semiramide for the Rossini Festival in Germany with Richard Bonynge. She has also worked for the Royal Opera House Covent Garden on La Cenerentola and Il barbiere di Siviglia and Scottish Opera on Le nozze di Figaro.

Janes has sung in concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony, West Australian Symphony, Tasmanian Symphony, Queensland Symphony, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, the London, Flanders, Bournemouth and Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestras, the National Orchestra of Spain in Madrid, New Zealand Symphony, Opera North, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, Huntington Estate and at the Edinburgh Festival with Sir Charles Mackerras. Her concert repertoire includes: Verdi's Requiem, Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, Mahler's Symphony No.2, Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Mass in C and Missa Solemnis, Mozart's Requiem, Rossini's Stabat Mater, Bach's St Matthew Passion, Schubert's Mass in A Flat and Mozart's Coronation Mass, Handel's L'Allegro il Penseroso ed il Moderato and Messiah, Berlioz' Roméo et Juliette and Stravinsky's Pulcinella. She has won multiple awards and made numerous recordings.

Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation and Elizabeth Connell Scholarship Trust

[edit]

In 2010, Janes became the CEO and Artistic Director and was a founding Director of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation [1], a Sydney based charity that provides scholarships for young singers. She created of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award in 2011, one of Australia's major operatic singing competitions. In 2014, she created the Sydney International Song Prize to encourage Art Song in Australia. To date, the Foundation has awarded over $1million in scholarships to young musicians.

In 2012, she was asked by the South African soprano Elizabeth Connell, prior to her death, to create a scholarship in her name and to be a founding Trustee for the Elizabeth Connell Scholarship Trust. Janes created the Elizabeth Connell International Singing Competition for Dramatic Sopranos in 2014 which was presented under the umbrella of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation.[7] To date it has awarded over $450,000 to aspiring female singers. [8]

She gives Masterclasses for young emerging singers and has been a judge for many of the major singing competitions throughout Australia including the Australian Singing Competition, Sydney Eisteddfod, Bathurst Eisteddfod and the Herald Sun Aria competition.[9] She is the principal judge for the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award and the Elizabeth Connell Prize.[10]

In 2020, she wrote the Introduction and co-produced Richard Bonynge's book Chalet Monet: Inside the Home of Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge, published by Melbourne Books.

Charity work

[edit]

In 2004, she was invited to perform at Australia House in London for the Tate Memorial Trust, conducted by Richard Bonynge in the presence of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwell. Throughout her performing career she has performed in concert for numerous charities including for Opera Australia, Aids research, Deaf & Blind Charity and Children's Hospital, Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation, Opera & Arts Support Group, Tait Memorial Trust in London.

Positions

[edit]
  • 1988 – 2007 Principal Artist with Opera Australia
  • 1992 – 2014 Freelance Principal Opera Singer
  • 2010 Founding Director of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation
  • 2010 – present CEO and Artistic Director of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation
  • 2012 Founding Trustee for the Elizabeth Connell Scholarship
  • 2012 - present CEO and Artistic Director of the Elizabeth Connell Prize
  • Member of Pacific Opera's Council of Patrons

Awards

[edit]

Recordings

[edit]

Publications

[edit]
  • Who's Who of International Music (listed)
  • Contemporary Australian Women (listed)
  • Who's Who of Australian Women (listed)
  • Chalet Monet: Inside the Home of Dame Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge – Richard Bonynge (2020 Author of the introduction)
  • Timing is Everything – Moffatt Oxenbould's Memoirs (mention)
  • Choir Man – Jonathon Welch – (mention)
  • Joan Sutherland My Favourites 2020 CD (Decca Article piece)
  • Romantic French Arias Joan Sutherland CD (Decca Article piece) [2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Shell Aria very even contest". The Canberra Times. Vol. 60, no. 18, 534. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 30 June 1986. p. 11. Retrieved 23 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ Fred Blanks (19 March 1987). "Music Singing for Gold". The Australian Jewish Times. Vol. 92, no. 24. New South Wales, Australia. p. 33. Retrieved 23 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Today's radio". The Canberra Times. Vol. 61, no. 18, 772. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 25 February 1987. p. 20. Retrieved 23 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ W. L. Hoffmann (7 November 1988). "Parliament House was the Stage for Concert". The Canberra Times. Vol. 63, no. 19, 390. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. p. 17. Retrieved 23 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Lewis to sing title role of AO season opener Rigoletto". The Canberra Times. Vol. 63, no. 19, 445. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 2 January 1989. p. 10. Retrieved 23 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "New Productions in Opera". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. 56, no. 7. Victoria, Australia. 17 November 1989. p. 28. Retrieved 23 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation". Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation". Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  9. ^ Robin Usher (28 September 2010). "On a controversial note". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation". Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fiona_Janes&oldid=1200847623"