On Sunday 28 June, Bernadette Robinson launches her new album, Songs of Bernadette, in her debut live-stream performance from MEMO Music Hall.
Robinson’s performances in her solo show Songs For Nobodies at London’s Ambassadors Theatre last year earned the show an Olivier Awards nomination and announced her as a new star on the West End. Following the acclaimed season, she recorded her new album, Songs of Bernadette, during two premiere live concert performances at well-known London venue The Pheasantry.
In this concoction of musical delights Bernadette pays tribute to the five iconic singers of the 20th century that feature in Songs For Nobodies: Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas; and presents songs by contemporary songwriters such as Damien Rice, Jane Siberry and Jackson Browne. She also introduces some surprise guests – Barbra Streisand, Eartha Kitt, Shirley Bassey and Julie Andrews.
“I had a blast last year recording this album in London over two live concerts at The Pheasantry,” said Robinson. “We also performed the album at two other great London venues, Brasserie Zedel and The Ivy Club.”
“A stack of famous people turned up, including Sandi Toksvig, Maureen Lipman, Phyllis Logan, Kathy Lette and the Oscar and Tony Award winning lyricist Don Black. I really felt like I’d gone to heaven and I can’t wait to launch the album in Australia on 28 June at another iconic venue, MEMO.”
Robinson’s performances in Songs for Nobodies have always delighted Australian audiences and critics alike, in 2019 London’s broadsheet papers raved: The Times called her “A jaw-dropping talent”; The Daily Telegraph, commented of her portrayal of Callas singing Vissi D’arté from Puccini’s Tosca: “It’s so sublime, it’s like a shot of morphine; for a blissful few minutes, all the cares of the world are gone.”
Songs For Nobodies was commissioned specially for her by the Melbourne Theatre Company and written for her by Joanna Murray-Smith, it premiered in 2010. In 2017 and 2018, Robinson co-wrote and performed The Show Goes On – a new solo piece, at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne. Again, she received overwhelming critical and audience acclaim. Pre-lockdown, Robinson once again, performed Songs for Nobodies at Arts Centre Melbourne and Sydney Opera House.
Robinson has also performed at Hamer Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Adelaide Festival Centre and all leading Australian concert venues. She has also performed all over the world at corporate events singing specially programmed local songs in French, Spanish, Hindi, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese (and English!). Songs of Bernadette is Bernadette Robinson’s fourth album.
Songs of Bernadette will be live-streamed from MEMO Music Hall on Sunday 28 June 2020 – 7.00pm. For more information, visit: www.memomusichall.com.au for details.
Image: Bernadette Robinson (supplied)