The first of three performances over the same weekend at different school venues throughout Perth, this concert by acclaimed Australian soprano Emma Matthews and student ensemble the Faith Court Orchestra was indeed both glittering and gay.

Matthews, who holds the distinction of winning more Helpmann Awards than any other individual artist, graduated from the WA Academy of Performing Arts in 1992 before going on to enjoy a successful operatic career in Australia and overseas. Last year she was appointed WAAPA’s Head of Classical Voice and Opera.

Emma Matthews, Peter Moore and the Faith Court Orchestra. Photo © Stephen Heath Photography

The Faith Court Orchestra was founded in 2005 and is WAAPA’s largest instrumental ensemble. On this occasion it was conducted by Peter Moore OAM, former principal bassoonist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.

Together Matthews, the FCO and Moore presented an attractive program spanning countries and centuries.

Beginning in France with Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and two of Duparc’s most ravishing melodies, L’invitation au voyage and Chanson Triste, the concert then moved to Italy for Rossini’s Overture to The Barber of Seville and Rosina’s aria Una voce poco...