Sian Prior is a singer, choral conductor and clarinettist. She graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts Opera Studio in 1999 and has since performed as a guest soprano with Operalive, More Than Opera Co., Sounds Sublime, Opera Sessions, Divas Inc. and Macedon Music. Sian has sung in recital at the Castlemaine Festival, the Melbourne Writer’s Festival, the Two Fires Festival, the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, and live-to-air on ABC Radio National’s Quiz Show and 774 ABC Melbourne's evening show.
Sian has also performed and recorded with Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly, sung jazz for the AFL, recorded original compositions by composers Natalya Wagner, John Hipwell Snr and Darryl Emerson, and with The Stardust Five and Tempo Perdido.
Sian is a member of the Green Room Awards Association's Opera Panel, and occasionally reviews opera for The Age newspaper. For forthcoming concerts keep an eye on the front page of this website. (See below for full singing CV)
Recordings:
'Paul Kelly: A to Z' - monthly free downloads, featuring Sian Prior on clarinet and vocals.
'Shane Warne', clarinet player on final track of Paul Kelly's Songs from the South Volume 2 (EMI)
‘Silent Night’, guest vocalist with Paul Kelly on the Myer ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ CD (2006)
‘Stardust Five’ debut album, guest vocalist (EMI 2006)
‘Theme from Juan’, by Tempo Perdido on CD ‘Ibara: River Crossing’ (Soul Jazz Records 2005), guest vocalist
‘Fireflies’, ABC TV soundtrack, guest vocalist for original music by Paul Kelly (ABC Music 2004)
‘The Golden Lotus’, soprano for new music drama composed by John Hipwell (2004)
‘The Breath of the Earth’, soprano for original CD recording of songs composed by Natalya Vagner (2003)
‘Martin and Gina’, original Australian musical, composed by Darryl Emmerson (2002), performing the role of Gina
‘Comrades Come Rally’, Musical Director, collection of songs by Victorian Trade Union Choir (1993)
Sian has also contributed to several ABC Audio productions:
'John Herouvim's Prime Cuts'; performer in satirical scripts first broadcast on ABC Radio National
'The Sound of Melbourne - 75 Years of 3LO'; co-presenter (with Frank Van Straten)
Singing CV
Sian Prior – Soprano
Professional Engagements
‘The Tender Land’ by Aaron Copland, Australian premiere production by Operalive Co., Horti Hall, Melbourne.
‘Ole/Ooh La La’, staged concert of Spanish and French songs by More Than Opera Co., Shepparton Arts Festival.
‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, children’s opera by Michael Easton, for the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.
‘Opera Sessions’; producer and performer for a series of staged opera/art song concerts at Dizzy’s Jazz Club in Richmond and The Toff in Town in Melbourne CBD, including : ‘From Paris to Madrid’, ‘Mostly Mozart’, ‘La Dolce Vita’, ‘Deception’ ,‘What Women Want’ and ‘The Bard, Three Broads and a Bloke’ (also performed at McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Garden) and 'Crazy! Songs of Mad Love, Jealousy and Revenge'.
Guest soprano, recital of new song-settings of poetry 'by' Ern Malley, Castlemaine State Festival of the Arts and the Melbourne Writers Festival.
Guest soprano, 'Songs of the Earth and Sky' recital, Melba Hall, Melbourne University.
Guest soprano, 'Music from the Eternal City' and ‘Sublime Mozart’ recitals, Armadale Uniting Church, and ‘Music for the Floating City’, All Saints Church, St Kilda, with Sounds Sublime vocal duo.
Guest soprano with Divas Inc., 'The Ten Sopranos', Grand Prix Ball, Crown Casino.
Guest soprano, Macedon Music - recital of French art song.
Guest soprano, Winter Music Series, Benalla Art Gallery and Rosegowrie Concert Series, Rosebud (Chanson: French art songs and clarinet pieces)
Guest soprano, Two Fires Festival, Braidwood, ACT.
Guest soprano and clarinettist, 'Paul Kelly A - Z', Adelaide Cabaret Festival, The Famous Spiegeltent, the Sydney Opera House, the Christchurch Arts Festival.
Regular guest soprano, ABC Radio National’s ‘The Quiz Show’ (2002 - 2004)
Concert series with the Byrd-Cage Singers at The Victorian Arts Centre and Kew Town Hall.
Jazz singer for AFL functions at Telstra Dome and the MCG
Series of French art song recitals at Vista Bar and Bistro, South Melbourne.
Series of Twilight Concerts, Rosebud Primary School Hall.
‘Classical Splash’, series of recitals in cafes and bars in Fitzroy/Collingwood/Melbourne CBD.
‘Bastille’, recital of French art songs, Performing Arts Centre, Kew.
Numerous engagements at weddings, funerals, parties and corporate functions.
Other Productions
‘L’Enfant et les Sortileges’, VCA Opera, Melbourne Festival, CUB Malthouse, Southbank.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, Melbourne Chorale Ensemble and Melbourne Symphony, Melbourne Festival, Iwaki Auditorium.
‘The Ruins of Athens’, VCA Opera, National Theatre, St Kilda.
‘Moonkissed’ (‘Maynight’ and ‘Rusalka’), VCA Opera, Grant St. Theatre, South Melbourne.
‘Faust Through a Prism’, VCA Opera, Grant St Theatre, South Melbourne.
Guest soprano, Orchestra Victoria Conducting Workshops.
Numerous benefit concerts for the Australian Conservation Foundation and other community groups.
Choral Work
Founder/Musical Director, Victorian Trade Union Choir
Founding member, ‘Dream On’, three-voice a capella ensemble
Founding member, ‘La Dolce Vita’ Italian folk song trio
Former member Melbourne Youth Choir
Former member Faye Dumont Singers
Former member Melbourne Chorale Ensemble