Peter Coleman-Wright and Cheryl Barker have not only shared their lives together over more than 40 years, but they have also been one of the great operatic star couples to have emerged from Australia in the late 20th century. Over many years they have graced the stages in Australia, and also lived and worked in London, singing at many of the world’s major opera companies across the UK, Europe and US. Having amassed a huge musical repertoire, collectively having sung more than 150 operatic roles, theirs is a remarkable story of sheer hard work translated into international acclaim in the classical music world.

Cheryl Barker Peter Coleman-Wright

Cheryl Barker and Peter Coleman-Wright

For this recital, presented as part of the Opera Queensland Studio Season, they commenced proceedings with two delightful duets by Mendelssohn to show off their early musical training and love of German lieder. The first, Ich wollt’, meine Lieb’ ergösse sich, (I wish I could pour my love into a single word) is a heartfelt, yet bright love song. The second, Gruss (Greeting), in which a man sees his love in everything around him, is both charming and infectious...