Arts Archives – J-Wire

The Phantom of the Opera

Alex First — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:31:47 +0000

An opera review by Alex First Superlatives can’t do justice to a magnificent Handa Opera production of The Phantom of the Opera on its 40th anniversary. With the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as a spectacular backdrop, the leads are glorious, the chorus captivating and the production values mesmerising. As far as the staging […]

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The High Road: Confessions of a homicide cop

Anne Sarzin — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:20:38 +0000

Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin If you think the confessions of a homicide cop are not your beat, this book should change your mind. It packs a realistic punch with an array of gut-wrenching case histories that a dedicated Canadian homicide team solves despite the complexities. On the surface, The High Road is a factual, straightforward […]

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Carole King made the earth move

Anne Sarzin — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:47:58 +0000

Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin Generations have lived the most significant events in their lives to the soundtrack of Carole King’s songs. Songs such as Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Everybody’s Doing a New Dance Now, and (You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman, the iconic song that ironically—given King’s non-identification with […]

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Organic Saint-Saens

Alan Slade — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 05:46:26 +0000

Oh, boy – did the Concert Hall of Sydney’s iconic Opera House get an acoustic workout in Saturday afternoon’s Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Saint-Saens Organ Symphony concert! The concert started with a sparkling walk-on by Anna Lapwood, official organist of the Royal Albert Hall and the soloist for the Saint-Saens. Her black dress with sparkling diamantes […]

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MinterEllison distances itself from Sydney Biennale as controversy deepens

J-Wire News Service — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:06:16 +0000

Law firm MinterEllison has moved to distance itself from the Biennale of Sydney, asking for its logo to be removed from the festival’s list of partners and supporters following the opening night controversy involving American performer DJ Haram. The move, first reported by The Australian Financial Review, follows a similar decision by PwC to withdraw […]

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West Gate

Alex First — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:31:31 +0000

A Melbourne Theatre Company production reviewed by Alex First It happened more than 55 years ago – on 15th October, 1970 – and was Australia’s worst industrial accident. I speak of the West Gate Bridge collapse. Thirty-five workers died and 18 were injured. In fact, due to several issues before the bridge fell – identified […]

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Eugene Onegin

Victor Grynberg — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:49:01 +0000

An opera review by Victor Grynberg Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) is widely acknowledged as the finest Russian composer of all time. In fact, most critics will categorise him as one of the five greatest composers ever. Tchaikovsky is best known for his symphonies, especially 4, 5, and 6, his violin and piano concertos, and his […]

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FLORA (The Australian Ballet x Bangarra Dance Theatre)

Alex First — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:31:54 +0000

A Melbourne ballet reviewed by Alex First How to create a compelling world premiere program with life-sustaining plants at its epicentre. That was the challenge. Combining the supreme talents of The Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre for a fourth time was a masterstroke … for the result is astounding. The creative excellence is next […]

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Major sponsor PwC pulls out of Biennale after DJ’s antisemitic chants

Rob Klein — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:13:25 +0000

PwC has withdrawn its sponsorship and association from the Biennale of Sydney following controversy over antisemitic and antizionist remarks during the festival’s opening night on Friday. The decision stems from a performance by US electronic music producer DJ Haram (real name Zubeyda Muzeyyen) at White Bay Power Station. Within hours of the event’s start, she […]

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Outrage after DJ leads antizionist chants at Sydney Biennale

Rob Klein — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 22:04:59 +0000

Sydney’s Biennale of Sydney has come under renewed criticism after an American DJ used a festival performance to accuse Israel of genocide and lead chants supporting Palestinian “resistance” during the taxpayer-funded event. The incident occurred during a set by DJ Haram at White Bay Power Station on Friday night. During the performance she led chants […]

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