This ravishing, superb concert had Amelia Farrugia channeling her inner Melba,Sutherland and Bronhill – three Australian great divas , combined with a touch of Callas perhaps?

Maestro Chris Carter, dapper in orchestral black, was tremendous as the accompanist and did a splendid job jumping between all the different styles of music.

International star Rutter , organiser of the Live at lunch series, was tres chic in a black and white ensemble with a Beardsley like print and floaty scarf around her neck. She welcomed us and introduced Farrugia and Carter and featured in several of the pieces.

The concert began (and ended) with Melba. Farrugia was stunning in a long black gown with a Greek design on it and a black stole around her shoulders .She sang her heart out in the opening ‘Ave Maria ‘ (Gounod version) , rather dark and powerful. Then by contrast came the bright, sparkling ‘ Jewel Song ‘ from Gounod ‘s ‘Faust’ ( drawing much attention to her glittering necklace) and the amazing show stopping ‘Si,mi chiamano Mimi’ from Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’, shyly perfomed with great modesty and delicacy that brought the house down.

Funny stories were told by Rutter and Farrugia about Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge. We were then treated to a lyrical , yet elegant and showy delightful version of the Largo Allegro from the Donizetti Sonata For Flute and Piano C major . in that piece we were asked to imagine it for the voice, Sutherland’s in particular , with all its flourishes, embellishments, trills etc.

This was contrasted by the following number by Farrugia – a piece from the vibrant sexy teasing and delightful ‘ Les filles de Cadix ‘ by Delibes ,almost zarzuela in style, ( or perhaps ‘Carmen’ ) again invoking Sutherland.

The haunting , melancholy beautiful Barcarolle from the’ Tales of Hoffmann ‘with Rutter on flute was then played . Rutter followed that with a delightful, enchanting short piece about a rose : ‘Zeller Roses ‘from Tyrrol Rosenlied . Then came the beautiful , lush, soaring ‘Bell Song’ duet from Delibe’s ‘Lakme’ with Rutter on flute.

Very different was Farrugia in Puccini ‘s ‘Ch’il bel sogno di Doretta ‘ from Puccini’s ‘La Rondine’. This was in great contrast to Farrugia’s ‘Laughing Song ‘ from ‘ Die Fleidermaus ‘, part of the Bronhill tribute – biting , witty , slightly panicky and hysterical . Further mention was made of Bronhill and ‘June’s tune’ ‘Veljia from Lehar’s ‘The Merry Widow’ , romantic ,lyrical and inspiring and which Farrugia sang with great warmth and depth of feeling.

This was theoretically supposed to be the conclusion to the concert, but the audience was in raptures and insisted on an encore, so we went full circle back to Melba who was famously associated with ‘Home Sweet Home’.

Farrugia sang it exquisitely and was extremely moving – you could have heard a pin drop and many in the audience was in tears. There was more wildly enthusiastic applause and with the concert having finished, we filed out for lunch.

The running time an hour 20 mins (approx) no interval.

HOME! SWEET HOME!, part of the Live at Lunch series , was a one off performance Wednesday 21 st May . An extended version of this programme will be performed at the Avoca Beach Picture Theatre, Fri 23rd May at 7:30pm.

The Next Live at Lunch  concert will take place on the 2nd July and will feature a celebratio of Vivaldi’s masterpiece, FOUR SEASONS.

For more about Live at lunch : Home! Sweet home !Aussie Opera Divas, visit http://www.theconcourse.com.au/event/lunch-time-concert-series-live-lunch