History
 Opera in the Arboretum
 Although
the first Opera in the Arboretum took place in 2006, I had been thinking
about organising an opera on behalf of Rotary for some years. In
2002,whilst visiting a Rotarian friend in Stanthorpe, Queensland
I was told about a project that his Rotary Club runs. It was an Opera
in the Vineyards and they were able to donate a great deal of money
to local charities through this event. I had assisted with the Jazz
in the Arboretum in Pearl Beach and reckoned that an opera in the
same venue would be fantastic.
I had this in the back of my mind when a local Pearl
Beach resident came into my wife’s art gallery. We got to talking
about opera. He was at that time sponsoring a Pucini Festival in
Melbourne and put me in touch with his friend, and the first Opera
in the Arboretum was planned. Not being very knowledgeable about
opera, I was very lucky to meet Michaele Archer - a Pearl Beach resident
and a wonderful soprano.
This is where I hit the jackpot, because Michaele’s husband Justin
is a graphic artist, so he designed our postcard and posters for
this our entry into the world of opera, and we held the first gig
on the 4th March 2006. This was such a success that we were able
to donate $8000 to the Pearl Beach Rural Fire Service.
In
2007, Michaele played a major roll in organising the performers
for our next gig. She was able to obtain the baritone José Carbo
- a truly great artist. Supporting José was Stephanie
Acraman soprano, Richard Lane tenor, Annabel Chaffey soprano
and our very own Michaele Archer. This opera was a real show
stopper and set a very high standard for our future gigs. Funds
raised on this event were donated to CanTeen - teenagers living
with cancer.
Because of the special ambience of the Pearl Beach
Arboretum, our opera here has gained a real status. We will
continue holding this event into the future. |
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José Carbo performs the Torreador
Song from Bizet's Carmen
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José Carbo
and Stephanie Acraman wowed the audience
with their rendition of 'La chi darem la mano' from
Don Giovanni by Mozart |
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Michaele Archer and Richard
Lane singing the
famous duet 'ma chi lascia' from Il Tabarro by Puccini |
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John Greenway
Event Organiser
Rotary Club of Woy Woy, Inc.
Crommelin Native Arboretum
The Arboretum was named after Miss Minard Fannie Crommelin
MBE who lived in Pearl Beach for 30 years prior to her death in 1972
at the age of 90. Minard Crommelin first came to Pearl Beach with
her friend Charles Pryce in a small cedar sailing boat about 1910
and of this visit she wrote:
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“The beach is so beautiful – with
a great number of Cabbage Tree Palms growing along the creeks
and up the valleys and hillsides. There were many shells,
little rock warbler’s hung their nests from the caves under
Mount Ettalong…” |
Minard Crommelin developed a life-long interest in botany
and natural history and was an avid conservationist well before the
concept was popular. She worked tirelessly for the establishment
of Warrah Sanctuary, which later became part of Brisbane Waters National
Park. As a result Miss Crommelin was largely responsible for the
preservation of the bushland that surrounds Pearl Beach.
The name Crommelin Native Arboretum was gazetted by the
Geographical Names Board on 15th May, 1978.
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