Dame Kiri to sing under stars in outback

Press, 7 October 1987, Page 29

Dame Kiri to sing under stars in outback

NZPA Sydney By ROBERT LOWE The New Zealand soprano, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, will sing under the stars in the outback next year as part of the Australian bicentenary, the South Australian Government has said. Dame Kiri will be accompanied by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at a natural amphitheatre near Beltana, in the Flinders Ranges, 497 km from Adelaide. Up to 5000 people are expected to attend the "Opera in the Outback” concert on September 3, an event which will cost sAustsoo,ooo ($550,000) to

stage and which organisers hope will be shown on television around the' world. Proceeds from the venture, which will include special train services, a bush barbecue, and a fireworks and laser display, will go to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which was founded in Beltana. The South Australian Premier, Mr John Bannon, who is patron of “Opera in- the Outback,” said Dame Kiri’s agreement to sing at the concert was a marvellous coup for the organisers. “It should ensure the success of a venture al-

ready being described as the most ambitious musical production ever staged in Australia,” he said. “It it will focus world attention on the Flinders Ranges, one of South Australia’s finest tourist attractions.” The chairman of the national rail line, Australian National, Dr Don Williams, who submitted the proposal to the Australian Bicentenary Authority, said the 90-minute concert would be televised live throughout Australia. He hoped it would also be relayed live to New Zealand. The question of a New Zealander being the focus

of a big Australian bicentennial event was one he had been asked about in the past, Dr Williams said. "Dame Kiri is an international star who is well known in Australia,” he said. “We wanted someone who was well known. We canvassed one or two people, and Dame Kiri accepted our invitation.” Australia’s most noted diva, Dame Joan Sutherland, was reported last month as having turned down an invitation to sing at the opening of Australia’s new Parliament House next year because of her schedule of engagements.