New classical duo to grace St George’s

ST GEORGE’S Anglican Church will host an intimate recital next month in aid of its ongoing restoration appeal.

Cecilia’s Daughters, a newly formed classical duo comprising emerging musician and soprano Zinaida Campion and accomplished pianist and organist Victoria Hay, will delight audiences with a varied program of song, lieder and aria from composers such as Purcell, Handel and Mozart.

Ms Hay, who recently returned to Australia after spending 37 years in the United Kingdom, has spent the last year re-establishing herself both within the community and Geelong’s music scene.

“I started off as a pianist, but when I was 14, I went to see [acclaimed British organist] Gillian Weir give a recital at Saint Pat’s Cathedral which just blew me away, so I went to my teacher and said ‘I really want to learn the organ’.

“She said ‘Don’t you learn the organ, it will ruin your technique’, so I never did.

“I took it up when I was about 35, but it’s now very much my first instrument.”

Ms Hay now frequents St George’s to play the National Trust-classified Fincham organ housed within the church.

Meanwhile Ms Campion, a Winchelsea local, hails from a family of classical music lovers and her own craft has been heavily influenced by Marjorie Lawrence, a renowned soprano who found fame through the 1930s and 1940s.

“I wanted to be like her, so I started singing lessons when I was pretty young,” Ms Campion said.

At the age of 13, Ms Campion’s talent was recognised by John Bumford, a local pianist and the co-ordinator of the Winchelsea Uniting Church, who then connected her with multi-award-winning opera singer Lee Abrahmsen for vocal lessons.

Ms Campion’s music career has since seen her undertake study in Europe and join Opera Victoria’s youth program.

The performance, which marks the duo’s first in Queenscliff, follows their highly successful debut at Barwon Park Mansion in June.

The recital will take place on Tuesday, September 24 from 1pm at the Old School Hall, situated within the church grounds on the corner of Learmonth and Hobson streets, and will be followed by a complimentary afternoon tea.

Recital organiser Fiona Lindsay said the venue was quickly becoming a popular place for classical performances and the recital’s afternoon timeslot ensured it was accessible for residents in the local area.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased from the Queenscliff Visitor Information Centre or at the door on the day of the recital.

For more information about the performance, or to learn more about hiring St George’s Old School Hall for an event, phone Fiona Lindsay on 0428 322 208 or email [email protected]