Mention the word flute to any Australian, and the name Jane Rutter immediately springs to mind.
Jane is a classical music trailblazer known for her onstage warmth. She brilliantly conveys passion, sparkling technique and elegance of expression through her beautiful flute playing.
Jane is the star attraction in a one-off performance for Noosa Alive!
The world-famous flautist takes the stage alongside Noosa Orchestra and the Sunshine Coast Oriana Choir, with conductors Antoni Bonetti AM and Fay Baker OAM, in a two-hour concert spectacular for flute, choir and orchestra.
The eclectic, egalitarian programme, touted as “sacred, serene, furious, festive”, is certain to appeal to all musical tastes from serious Baroque music to Celtic with a light-hearted nod to ABBA.
A self-described “bel canto” flute player, (Italian translation: “beautiful singing”), Rutter said she was delighted to be playing on stage in Noosa with a choir supported by an orchestra.
“I love the sound of flute and voices playfully competing, and harmonising, it’s beautiful, they belong together,” Rutter said.
“The program is based around dance, in fact, an alternative title could be: ‘Dancing with the Flute’.
“We wanted to create a program to celebrate an end to COVID lockdown. As a young teenager I looked up to Antoni Bonetti. Together we were founding members of the now celebrated Sydney Youth Orchestra, so it’s a thrill to be working with Toni and his baton after all this time.
“Of the woodwind instruments, the flute is the closest to the voice in sound and breath. Voice and the flute have a similar vibration, and the flute, when played well, is like singing musically through the instrument.”
Knighted by France (chevalier des arts et lettres), Rutter divides her time between Paris and Sydney, but says performing in Noosa is a kind of ‘homecoming’.
A couple of decades ago, Jane lived with her young family in Queensland.
“I’ve been to Noosa many times, and had a kind of honeymoon there when first married,” Rutter said.
“My son was in the womb then, now he’s an adult and an accomplished musician. In more recent years I’ve played at local music festivals, The J, and Berardo’s.”
Despite playing alongside music giants and legendary contemporaries such as Pavarotti, Carreras, Michael Crawford, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, Teddy Tahu-Rhodes, Peter Cousens, Tina Arena and more, Rutter remains very down-to-earth. It would seem the French aspiration to egalitarianism (in all of its cultural expressions) suits Jane, a ‘classical disrupter’, down to the ground.
“I’m a classical musician for all mankind, I’m not a snob. I believe it is the birthright of everyone to enjoy fine music,“ she said.
Of the July 17 Noosa performance, Rutter said, “It will be like wrapping my arms around the audience and taking them on a delicious musical journey with me”.
Purchase your tickets now for $59.15 at www.noosaalive.com.au or www.noosaorchestra.com.au
Limited seating, selling fast.
The show is on Saturday 17 July, starts 2.30pm. Duration 2 hours with 15-minute intermission at Main Hall, Tewantin State School. Suitable for all ages.
