Amelia Farrugia is one of the most outstanding classical singers currently performing in Australia today. Opera emeritus, Richard Bonynge has described Amelia as “generously endowed when God was handing out the gifts”

In December 2005, Amelia Farrugia launched her highly anticipated debut album entitled joie de vivre! … The first Australian artist to be signed by the highly prestigious Decca label since Dame Joan Sutherland in 1959!

Amelia’s stunning debut album celebrates her dazzling virtuosity and crystal clear coloratura as she sings some of the most evocative and expressive opera arias. Spanning three centuries and featuring the premiere of a new work by celebrated Australian composer, Richard Mills, joie de vivre! promises to take the audience on a joyous journey filled with uplifting passion and excitement. 

Be swept off your feet by popular arias from La Boheme, Romeo & Juliette, Faust and Die Fledermaus and famous Strauss waltzes, Tales From the Vienna Woods and Voices of Spring, as Amelia is accompanied by the world-renowned BBC Symphony Orchestra, led by internationally recognized Australian conductor, Alexander Briger. 

Amelia has won the lion’s share of leading operatic singing awards including the coveted Metropolitan Opera Award in New York and has received glowing reviews for all her performances. Acclaimed for her show-stopping performances and glorious voice, Amelia Farrugia is one of Australia’s favorite performers.

While enjoying a busy Australian career starring in roles such as Manon, Adina and Queen of the Night, Amelia Farrugia is also establishing an international career, singing one of her signature roles, Adele in Die Fledermaus for Glyndebourne Touring Opera in 2006.

Three years in the making, this album is a rich collaboration of Australian talent.

One of Australia’s most exciting composers, Richard MillsAM is well known for his challenging and striking repertoire. Specially written for Amelia’s first album, we hear a world-premiere recording of Love’s Coming and a haunting arrangement of The Irish Blessing Song as a powerful finale. Mills’ diverse career, as a composer and conductor, has seen him work with many of the nation’s leading arts organizations as well attracting considerable attention throughout the world.

In 2001, Mills composed the opera Batavia, a story about the shipwreck of the vessel Batavia off the West Australian coast.  Performed for the 2001 Melbourne Festival, it was hailed as one of the most significant works created in Australia and premiered to standing ovations and critical acclaim, subsequently winning three Helpmann Awards and six Greenroom Awards. Opera Australia will present this outstanding work in Sydney during 2006.  Awarded an AM in 1999, Mills is also the Artistic Director of the West Australian Opera, a position he has held since 1997.

Alexander Briger, 36, is the youngest Australian conductor ever to take the stage at London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.  Conducting The Rape of Lucretia, which received strong, glowing reviews for his ‘powerful conducting’, Mr Briger has firmly established himself as one of our most successful conductors. The nephew of renowned Sir Charles Mackerras, Mr Briger regularly returns home to perform with Opera Australia and the state orchestras.

Amelia Farrugia’s debut album is proudly sponsored by The Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

The album cover made was possible by leading arts supporters, Tiffany & Co and fashion designer, Alex Perry.

Distributed by Decca and Universal Music, joie de vivre! is available from December 2005 through all fine music and department stores for rrp $29.95.

To mail order or purchase your copy, please contact:
Michael's Music Room
Phone: 02 9267 1351 Fax: 02 9261 1192
Website: www.michaelsmusicroom.com.au Email: mmroom@bigpond.net.au