5 February 2006

Celebrity chef Stefano de Pieri will be the guest chef for a special two course meal to be presented prior to the Shepparton concert by international guitarist, Massimo Scattolin on Sunday 12 February.

De Pieri and his brother Sergio are the organisers of the Murray River International Music Festival which is presenting a number of events in Shepparton between 9 and 12 February and this luncheon, followed by the concert by highly acclaimed Italian guitarist, Massimo Scattolin, will be a climax to four days of great music.

The two course meal, including wines, will cost $40 per head and will commence at 12.00pm, giving plenty of time for a leisurely lunch prior to the 3.00pm concert.

Bookings for the luncheon can be made, along with bookings to the concert, through the Riverlinks Box Office.

Guitarist Massimo Scattolin began his concert career as a soloist and later took up chamber music. He has developed a reputation in Europe and the United States as a brilliant executor of his art. In this concert he will perform some of the most popular classics for guitar.

Stefano de Pieri has for some time been a prominent ambassador for the Murray River system through his passion for fine food and wine. The concern of Stefano and brother Sergio for one of Australia’s greatest water catchments, and their complementary interests in food and music, have inspired the creation this great festival.

Stefano’s presence in Shepparton is an indication of how important our section of the festival is (and how important the Goulburn River is in relation to the health of the Murray). He will speak at the luncheon about his aspirations for both the festival of music and the cultural partnerships that he hopes can unite towns along the great rivers.

Other Shepparton highlights of the Murray River International Music festival will include a very funny production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “HMS PINAFORE”, a concert featuring Beethoven’s piano concertos, played on the Shepparton Steinway by internationally renowned pianist Anthony Halliday, soprano Louisa Hunter-Bradley and organist David Mcfarlane in a concert at Wesley Church, and an evening of ‘Tango Fever’ featuring international accordion player, Mirko Satto, and Tango dancers, Adrienne and Andrew Gill. 

The Festival is supported by sponsors Tourism Victoria, The Murray Campaign Committee, Tasco Inland, Hertz, Mildura Grand Hotel, Mildura Brewery and Mildura Arts Centre, Telstra Country Wide, Stefano de Pieri, and Regional Express, and is supported in Shepparton by the Greater Shepparton City Council through its Riverlinks program. 

Following are the details of the MRIMF events being staged in Shepparton. 

All booking inquiries can be directed to Riverlinks Box Office on 5832 9511.

HMS PINAFORE  (THE FINAL SAIL)   BY PROMAC PRODUCTIONS

Thursday 9 February 2006  2.00pm   EASTBANK

Starring the hilarious Brian Hannan and a cast of just 5 this is a rollicking and very funny rendition of this G&S favourite.  

BEETHOVEN’S PIANO SONATAS PLAYED BY ANTHONY HALLIDAY 

Friday 10 February 2006  8.00pm EASTBANK

Critically acclaimed pianist, Anthony Halliday, has given recitals throughout Australia and in Europe. In this recital he focuses exclusively on Beethoven’s Sonatas.  

LOUISA HUNTER-BRADLEY, SOPRANO

DAVID MACFARLANE, ORGAN

Saturday 11 February 2006  5.30pm (note this is a change to the originally scheduled time)     WESLEY CHURCH

Louisa Hunter-Bradley has extensive experience with Australian performance groups including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and at notable festivals in Australia and Europe. David Macfarlane has performed throughout Australia, as soloist and continuo player on organ and harpsichord. He will play the wonderful Wesley organ in this concert

MIRKO SATTO, ACCORDION

ADRIENNE AND ANDREW GILL, TANGO DANCERS

Saturday 11 February 2006  8.00pm   EASTBANK

Mirko Satto studied accordion at the Steffani Conservatorium of Castelfranco, Veneto in Italy. He has performed as a soloist, in duo and with chamber and orchestral groups throughout Italy and Europe. Adrienne & Andrew Gill, professional Argentine tango teachers and performers, are recognized internationally for the artistry and romance of their tango. 

(Presented in a cabaret setting, food and wine available to purchase from Eastbankfood.)

MASSIMO SCATTOLIN, GUITAR

Sunday 12 February 2006  3.00pm  EASTBANK

Massimo Scattolin began his concert career as a soloist and later took up chamber music. He has performed original compositions by Violet Archer and Astor Piazzolla and has developed a reputation in Europe and the United States as a brilliant executor of his art.

(A two course meal with guest chef Stefano de Pieri will be available from 12.00pm.)