One of Australia’s most beloved sopranos, Sara Macliver returns to ANAM this May to perform alongside ANAM Pianists. She shares her thoughts on working with ANAM musicians, the repertoire they’ll bring to life together, and what it means to sing across languages and styles.
You’ve visited ANAM many times over the years. What keeps bringing you back?
I absolutely love coming to ANAM. The students are a joy to work with. Always deeply committed and eager to learn. It’s incredibly rewarding to collaborate with young musicians who are so dedicated to their craft, especially at such an important stage in their development.
Tell us about your upcoming concert with ANAM Pianists. What excites you about this program?
This concert includes Mozart’s Exultate, jubilate, a cornerstone of the soprano repertoire alongside songs by Wolf, Debussy, Rebecca Clarke and Charles Ives. Although the Mozart is performed in piano reduction, it offers pianists a rich opportunity to engage with the work in a more intimate setting.
Each piece brings its own set of challenges — whether technically demanding, lyrically expressive, or requiring close musical dialogue. Working with singers invites pianists into the world of text and story: they begin to think more deeply about phrasing, breath, tonal colour, and how harmony is shaped by language. These are invaluable skills not just for working with singers, but for chamber music more broadly.
Do you find that singing in languages other than English gives you a different connection to the music?
Absolutely. Singing in other languages often evokes a strong sense of place — landscape, culture, nature — all of which can be expressed through rhythm, melody and harmony. It adds another layer of meaning and emotional depth to the performance.
What are some vocal highlights that have stayed with you over the years, either as a performer or listener?
That’s a tough question. They’re all meaningful in their own way. I’d say Charles Ives’ Songs My Mother Taught Me is particularly special: it’s simple, still, and quietly nostalgic. Exultate, jubilate has been with me for years. It’s in my ears, my muscle memory, and my heart. And the Debussy songs remind me of my wonderful teacher Molly McGurk, who sang them with such depth and musicality.
What’s next for you after ANAM?
I’ll be singing with the Sydney, West Australian and Canberra Symphony Orchestras, giving a concert with Erin Helyard, and performing in a festival with the Australian String Quartet. There are also concerts in Perth and a season with Freeze Frame Opera, performing Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking. It’s a busy stretch, but I’m excited for what’s ahead.
SARA MACLIVER WITH ANAM PIANOS
Wednesday 14 May 3pm
Venue Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford
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Sara Macliver’s Artistic Residency at ANAM is generously supported by Meredith Baldwin