Thursday 5 July 2007

FESTIVAL OF VOICES
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, has officially welcomed participants and teachers to the third annual Festival of Voices at Salamanca’s Long Gallery.

Centred in and around Salamanca Place in Hobart, the 2007 Festival of Voices is a four-day community event celebrating song and performance.

“Congratulations to Jaspa Wood, in her first year as Festival Director, for creating an inspiring and entertaining program that features theatrical cabaret, aperitivo concerts, workshops and free events open to the public,” Ms Wriedt said.

“With more than 40 events centred on the Hobart waterfront area, such as the Vocal Taster sessions and the Vocal Nosh social event, the 2007 Festival provides wonderful opportunities for the whole community to get together and experience the joy of singing.

“There are more choirs than ever before at this year’s Festival, including a wonderful collaboration between the Melbourne and Hobart Italian Women’s Choirs that encapsulates the strong community feeling of the Festival.

“I am thrilled that Tasmania can offer a Festival as wonderful as this – an event that embraces and fosters community spirit and a sense of belonging through the celebration of song.

“I cannot think of a better way of celebrating our community and sharing our beautiful Tasmanian home, than through the joy of singing together.” Ms Wriedt said.

Since the inaugural festival in 2005, the Festival of Voices has cemented itself as a major event on Australia’s cultural calendar, attracting many of the best voices in the country.

From 5 to 8 July festival participants will take part in Winter Intensive Workshops at the Long Gallery, the Peacock Theatre, the University’s Conservatorium of Music and the Hobart Town Hall.

“I urge everyone to make the most of the Festival’s free public events – Saturday night’s Song and Mulled Wine Trail and the ABC Radio’s Live to Air broadcast on Sunday morning from the Atrium of the Henry Jones Art Hotel.

“These events give everyone a chance to hear the many local and visiting choirs that are taking part in the festival.” Ms Wriedt said.

A State Government initiative, the Festival of Voices has truly established itself as an important event for attracting visitors in the traditionally slow winter tourism season.

The Festival of Voices is part of Tourism Tasmania’s strategy to attract visitors to Tasmania during the State’s winter period by supporting events during winter.

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

(03) 6230 8244
email mediainfo@tourism.tas.gov.au