John Foreman’s Pop Orchestra features Josh Piterman
Looking for something fun to do in Melbourne on New Year’s Eve? The Australian Pops Orchestra at Hamer Hall is sure to delight.
John Foreman will lead The New Year’s Eve (& The Day Before) Gala Concerts on December 30 and 31 featuring talented performers Josh Piterman, Silvie Paladino and Paulini with the 60-piece Australian Pops Orchestra
The gala event is in its 41st year at Hamer Hall, and includes orchestral classics, traditional anthems, Broadway hits and the Dana Jolly Dancers’ choreography.
For the New Year’s Eve performance at 8pm you can purchase an add-on ticket for a pre-show party and/or a ticket for the after-show balcony party where you can watch Melbourne’s fireworks.
Piterman recently returned to Australia after playing leads on the West End: the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, while Paladino starred in Sunset Boulevard, and Paulini featured in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
“The whole philosophy behind the Australian Pops Orchestra is that it is music for the people. Music that everyone recognises…” John Foreman
The AJN spoke with Piterman and Foreman ahead of the gala concerts.
Foreman said it was “great working with Josh”, noting that they have worked together for over 13 years.
“We’ve done quite a few things over the years, ranging from the intimacy of piano and voice performances to the spectacle of full symphony orchestra.
“We’ve done an album, and I’ve been very excited to see Josh’s career blossom over the last few years, and for the world to get to hear his voice.”
Piterman said he was grateful to Foreman for playing a “huge part” in his career.
“He offered me an opportunity at the start of 2019 to sing Nessun Dorma at the Australia Day Live Concert out the front of Sydney Opera House … I knew that that was a big opportunity.
“It was everything that I wanted it to be and more … and two months later, I was over auditioning for Les Mis and Phantom, and I spent the next five years of my life doing those shows.
“None of that would have happened before John. So, I always have John to thank and be grateful for, because he’s been a huge part of my journey.”
Piterman started performing in musical theatre when he was 16.
Asked how his Jewish identity has influenced his music, he said, “The first time I sang in public was my bar mitzvah. I’ve sung at synagogue multiple times since and it’s an honour to do that … There have been so many great Jewish artists that I revere so much especially in musical theatre,” he continued, noting he is a fan of Mandy Patinkin and Stephen Sondheim.
Foreman said he started playing piano at six and was involved with bands while at school but credits much-loved Australian entertainer the late Bert Newton with giving him his big break.
Bert and Patti Newton heard Foreman perform at a live club show and recruited him to be Bert’s piano man on Good Morning Australia when Foreman was just 19.
He would later become the musical director of Australian Idol, has orchestrated Carols by Candlelight concerts for nearly 20 years, and presides over the Australia Day Live concert from the Sydney Opera House.
“I was so lucky to meet Bert and Patti – right place, right time,” Foreman reflected.
“Bert was brilliant, he would navigate his way through 2.5 hours of live television with no autocue, and a great sense of spontaneity. He could interview everybody from the latest comedian to the prime minister and everyone in between effortlessly and in a way that engaged the audience.
“There have been so many great Jewish artists that I revere so much especially in musical theatre…” Josh Piterman
“From a musical point of view because of Bert’s stature we had an incredible array of artists who appeared on the show … it was really a fantastic opportunity to work with so many amazing people.”
Foreman’s other career highlights include hearing his song The Flame performed by Tina Arena at the Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
“It was an unforgettable moment, because I was aware that the song was going out to a large percentage of the population around the world, and it was a good moment for Australia to stand tall and show the world what we are capable of.”
Foreman also adds conducting the Australian Pops Orchestra as another highlight.
“The whole philosophy behind the Australian Pops Orchestra is that it is music for the people. Music that everyone recognises. We have a lot of people who come every year and it’s their New Year’s Eve tradition, but if someone has never been to an orchestral concert before we want those people to feel welcome.
“If people are introducing orchestral music to their kids for the first time we want them to feel welcome, and that’s why we have these fabulous artists who sing popular songs, Broadway hits, popular classics … we have lots of fun. It’s a very relaxed, party atmosphere as we head towards New Year’s Eve.”
John Foreman’s Australian Pops Orchestra presents The New Year’s Eve (& The Day Before) Gala Concerts at Hamer Hall on December 30 and 31. To book visit artscentremelbourne.com.au
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