Matthew Dewey

Matthew Ingvald Dewey (born 1984) is an Australian composer and singer.

General information

Matthew Dewey is an Australian composer^[1][2] and singer.^[3] He studied composition with Professor Douglas Knehans at the University of Tasmania and composition/theatrical design/singing with Greek-Australian composer/designer Constantine Koukias. His very early years were spent training with the IHOS Music Theatre Laboratory^[4] in the creation of new musical-theatrical works, and this early exposure led to a career that flourished at an unusually young age.^{[citation needed]} He works mostly in Australian contemporary opera/music-theatre and been involved in the premieres of more than 20 new works^[5] as a principal performer and singer, and numerous other productions variously as composer, orchestrator, conductor and compositional assistant.^[5][6] His own works include operas: The Buzz of the Sea, 15 Years on Hold,^[7] The Death of Chatterton^[5] (about the life of Thomas Chatterton) and The Priest's Passion;^[5] various songs including two cycles utilising text of the esteemed ex-pat South African poet Anne Kellas^[8]: "Isolated States", "Notes for mount Moono" and two song suites based on the work of his brother, Australian poet Nicholas Dewey, entitled "Elegy" and "Compass" (The later commissioned and premiered by the Sydney Children's Choir^[9]); Chamber works include two pieces written for the Seymour Group: "A Dance on Five Claps" and "Voyage" the later of which was written for the Seymour Group in conjunction with the internationally renowned bass-clarinettist Harry Sparnaay;^[10] "Flight and Reverie" which premiered at the University of Hawaii^[11] and "Entropic Visions" that was given by Joshua Rubin^[12] at the Lincoln Center in New York. Dewey's compositional methodology focuses on the meshing of the natural speech patterns of the English language and his lyrical and iridescent musical voice.^{[citation needed]}

His first symphony (for string orchestra) dealt with emotions surrounding the Port Arthur Massacre.^[13] The symphony was inspired by Tasmanian playwright Tom Holloway's play Beyond the Neck.^[14]

Matthew is also the Founder and Director of the Tasmanian Composers Collective^[15] and the Artistic Director of Daylight Robbery Theatricals.^[7]

Major works

Opera

The Buzz of the Sea

An Opera in One Act. Chamber Opera. Libretto by Alexander Dick. (Concert Premiere December 2008 @ Meadowbank Estate Winery, Hobart. Featuring Michael Lampard (Baritone) and Karen Smithies (Piano)). 25'00"

15 Years on Hold

An Opera in One Act. Chamber Opera. Libretto by Matthew Dewey, Nicholas Dewey and Alexander Dick, based on a concept by Matthew Dewey. (Premiere April 4, 2007 @ Playhouse Theatre, Hobart by Daylight Robbery Theatricals, Auspiced by IHOS Music Theatre and Opera. Conducted and Directed by composer, Assistant Director Craig Wood, Featuring Michael Lampard (Baritone), Craig Wood (Baritone), Rainor Trippet (Spoken), Rupert Brennen (Spoken) and Charlea Edwards (Spoken). 40'00"

The Death of Chatterton

A Mythography in One Act for One Man. Libretto by composer on a concept by Robert Jarman, exploring the life of English poet and prodigy Thomas Chatterton. (Workshop premiere @ Mount Nelson Studio Theatre, Hobart by IHOS Music Theatre and Opera, Conducted by composer, Directed by Robert Jarman, Performed by Christopher Richardson (Baritone) in September 2005; Recorded for ABC Classic FM by Brooke Green^[16] and broadcast in 2006). (Workshop Duration) 35'00"

The Priest's Passion

A One-Scene Chamber Opera. Libretto by composer. (Premiered @ Studio Theatre, Hobart by IHOS Music Theatre Laboratory w/ Tasmanian Conservatorium, Conducted by Jean-Louis Forestier, Directed by Robert Jarman in September 2004; Recorded for ABC Classic FM by Brooke Green for subsequent broadcast). 20'00"

Orchestral

Symphony No. 1 (Port Arthur, 1996)

For String Orchestra. (Commissioned by Damien Holloway. Premiered @ Hobart Town Hall, by the Hobart Chamber Orchestra Conducted by Edwin Paling 17 May 2008. (3 Movements) 21'00"

Orchestral Suite No.1

(Premiered by the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Alexey Osetrov, 2009. (3 Movements) 16'30"

Operatic roles premiered

• "Principal Bass" in Australasian premiere of Hydrogen Jukebox by Phillip Glass^[17]
• "Archondas" in Australasian premiere of O Protomastoras (The Masterbuilder) by Manolis Kalomiris^[17]
• "Caretaker" in world premiere of Touch Wood by Claudio Pompili^[17]
• "Head Corporate" in world premiere of Slip - Synthetic Spaces by Hugh Covill^[17]
• "Arturas" in world premiere workshop of ”Olegas” by Constantine Koukias^[17]
• "George Westinghouse" in Tesla - Lightning in His Hand (World premiere of Tesla-Suite version) by Constantine Koukias^[17]
• "Principal Singer" in world premiere of Da Ponte in Absentia by Constantine Koukias^[17]
• "Principal Male Performer" in world premiere of ”As if Electronically Controlled” by Christopher Williams ^[17]
• "Bee Keeper" in world premiere of Spirits of the Hoist by Constantine Koukias^[17]
• "Friend" in world premiere of The Fall of the House of Usher by Maria Grenfell^[17]
• "Bass" (Trio of the Moon) in world premiere of A Lizard Between her Breasts by Raffaele Marcellino^[17]

Awards and scholarships

International Arts Mentorship (Foundation for Young Australians and Ars Musica Australis 2006)^[18]

IHOS Music Theatre and Opera Young Artist Bursary (IHOS 2004)

Hobart City Council Don Kay Scholarship for Music Composition (University of Tasmania 2003)

References

1. ^ Arts Tasmania [Text only site]
2. ^ Matthew Dewey: Website information: Australia's Culture and Recreation Portal
3. ^ New Adelaide Theatre Guide: South Australia's Only Comprehensive Internet Guide to Local Arts
4. ^ IHOS Opera
5. ^ ^{a b c d} Matthew Dewey, Composer and Singer
6. ^ Australian Music: Orpheus remix: 'Vox Orpheus'
7. ^ ^{a b} Daylight Robbery Theatricals | Experimental work by creative and energetic theatre makers
8. ^ Anne Kellas: Isolated States
9. ^ Sydney Children's Choir
10. ^ index
11. ^ Pan-Pacific Gamba Gathering
12. ^ New York Miniaturist Ensemble
13. ^ Matthew Dewey, Composer and Singer
14. ^ Matthew Dewey, Composer and Singer
15. ^ Tasmanian Composers Collective
16. ^ ABC Classic FM Music Details: Sunday 5 March 2006
17. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} Matthew Dewey, Composer and Singer
18. ^ Young Australians

External links

• Matthew Dewey personal web-site ²
• Matthew Dewey profile at the Australian Music Centre
• Matthew Dewey on Myspace Music
• Matthew Dewey page - The Tasmanian Composers Collective ¹
• Matthew Dewey details - The University of Tasmania
• IHOS Music Theatre and Opera
• Australasian Performing Right Association

Persondata
Name	Dewey, Matthew
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Date of birth	12 October 1984
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