Sunday was spent at the farm in the Function Centre, where Fiona McArdle (my brother in law’s niece, a young opera singer who has the most beautiful mezzo soprano voice) won a scholarship into the Master of Music at the New England Conservatory in Boston, to study under Jane Eaglen. A scholarship is such a wonderful opportunity but it doesn’t cover all the tuition costs (let along living costs) so we organised a soiree to raise funds for her. Elli and Saskia donated the use of the Function Centre and much of the food; then the family and friends got together with waiting staff, our kitchen team and of course Beer Bros. wine, Sparkling Ruby Cabernet and Apple Cider from our orchard, so that all the funds would go to Fiona. Fiona had two friends accompany her; Penelope Cashman on piano and Desiree Frahn - a truly beautiful soprano Fiona often sings with. A grand piano was hired by the family and nearly 180 people bought tickets to attend. It began with Fiona singing Mon Coeur s’ouvre à ta voix (Saint-Saëns) with her beautiful mezzo voice filling the room. Then some of my absolute favourites were sung by Fiona and Desiree as a duet; most notably Lakmé Flower Duet (Léo Delibes) that can never leave a dry eye; and Desiree singing O mio babbino caro (Giacomo Puccini)…and of course, Summertime from Porgy and Bess (my favourite song of all). Such a beautiful afternoon but I had to leave without hearing the last bracket, as my driver was waiting outside to drive me to the airport as I was off to Sydney for the last week of filming. - Maggie
