Music on the Terrace returns to Government House Ballroom for coming of age in 2024 season

Music on the Terrace returns to the Government House Ballroom this month for a coming-of-age 18th season, with founding director Mark Coughlan at the helm. Coughlan will conduct the opening Opera Gala on April 21, with the OpusWA Arts Orchestra and 15 rising stars of Perth’s operatic scene. “With young voices that are still developing it’s important to give the right opportunities at the right time and not to to over-stretch them vocally, especially when performing with a symphony orchestra so the selection of singers is important as is the choice of what they will sing,” Coughlan says. “Each singer will present an operatic aria that shows off their voice to best effect. We have a wonderfully broad and exciting selection of music, from Mozart to Donizetti, Puccini of course, Verdi, Wagner and Tchaikovsky as well as some others.” In addition, the orchestra will play Rossini’s Thieving Magpie overture and the Merry Widow Waltz by Viennese master Franz Lehar. Coughlan wears his heart on his sleeve when talking about the program founded in 2006 with then-governor Ken Michael and Julie Michael, who gave her name to the Government House garden where Jazz on the Lawn tops and tails the season. “Our philosophy from the outset was to nurture young people in the arts and the Government House Foundation remains committed to that objective,” Coughlan says. “Within these parameters, programming a concert season is a juggling act between meeting your audience’s expectations for the familiar, providing something surprising or new and always bringing them on a journey. “People come to concerts for the whole experience, not just to listen, and our Foundation committee work hard to create a warm and engaging social atmosphere to complement the musical performances.” While the artists are central, the ballroom itself is also a supporting element, at the heart of Perth’s heritage precinct. “There is without doubt a certain magic in the Ballroom,” Coughlan says. “The ambiance, the acoustic, the scale of the space, the dome ceiling, the floorboards and the decor from an earlier era all add to the charm and appeal of the venue. We also have one of the finest concert grand pianos in Australia, which is a delight for me and every other pianist who comes to play for us.” Upcoming shows include: And finally, the WA Jazz Project big band will play out the season on December 1, again at 4pm. Tickets at perthconcerthall.com.au.