Artist

Actor

John Bell

Script & Adaptation

Rachel McDonald

Singer

Skye McIntosh

Soloist

Matthew Greco

Karina Schmitz

Daniel Yeadon

Melissa Farrow

Australian Haydn Ensemble

Haydn Speaks

Producer

Burrawang

Australia

Burrawang School of Arts

Canberra

Albert Hall

Sydney City

City Recital Hall

Medlow Bath

The Hydro Majestic Hotel Blue Mountains

Berry

Berry School of Arts

Haydn Speaks: Concert Various

Private

Public

Concert

Pending

In the face of his prodigious output of consistently fine
music, it’s easy to take Haydn for granted. We enjoy
triumph over adversity, struggle, unjust neglect, and
lives cut tragically short, none of which he suffered.
But the story of how a boy with a good voice, one of
twelve children born to a poor wheelwright and his
wife, became the toast of Vienna, then London, then
the known world, and how fame never swelled his
clever head, makes the plot of Slumdog Millionaire
look commonplace.
Iconic Australian actor John Bell is nearing “Papa”
status himself. Who better to personify the spirit of this
extraordinary humble Joe in a new musical/theatrical/
biographical entertainment by young playwright
Rachel McDonald?
Concerts illustrated with a smattering of letters are
nothing new. This evening goes much deeper and has
to, because Haydn was too busy writing music to bother
with many letters. In fact after he died, a burgeoning
French novelist pen-named Stendhal, invented some
on his behalf. Fake news. Beautifully written, but fake
nonetheless.
McDonald skilfully weaves historically confirmed
sources, real letters and such romantic re-imaginings
into a piece that allows the ever-present, selfdeprecating and funny Haydn to recount his life,
comment on his posthumous reputation and poignantly
reveal some bedroom secrets.
Oh yes, and to re-encounter and admire some of
his greatest work, as performed with impeccable
eighteenth-century finesse by AHE. You will hear it
afresh too, through the ears of its creator.
A unique and unmissable event.

English

Haydn Speaks by Various, From (2022/2022), Berry School of Arts, Berry, Australia

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Co-Producer

Programme, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues