An Evening with Harold

An evening celebrating the life of Harold Blair with a panel discussion moderated by Bundjalung and Kullilli journalist and broadcaster Daniel Browning.

Daniel will be joined by Harold Blair’s family members along with contemporary Aboriginal opera singers and other performers inspired by Harold’s life. Staged in the Joan Sutherland Theatre – with the stunning Curtain of the Sun hanging in the background – this is an event not to miss.

Wulli Wulli tenor, Harold Blair AM was the first Australian Aboriginal person professionally trained in opera singing. He enrolled at the Melba Conservatorium in Melbourne in the mid-1940s graduating with a Diploma of Music with honours in 1949. He travelled Australia and the world performing for diverse audiences including at the Iron Curtain in West Germany in the late 1950s and Dalgerie, the first opera staged at the Sydney Opera House in July, 1973.

The discussion will cover his life, bring to light lesser-known First Nations stories of the House and examine the social and political landscape of Australia in the 1940’s-50s.