Angela Giblin - musician and teacher

Abstract

Angela Ann Giblin was born in Sydney in 1948, to parents Barbara and Hugh (solicitor). Her brother David, born 18 months later, would go on to become a businessman. Angela began her schooling at Loquat Valley School, Bayview, near Pittwater, Sydney, then moved to Ascham School. Kenneth Robins was her music master at Ascham, and his choir, and score-reading classes, were inspirational for Angela. At age 14, Angela’s family moved to Bowral, where nearby at Mittagong Angela studied at Frensham School. There she studied piano with Ian Cooper, and clarinet with Ann Thompson; she also studied with Norma (Bobbie) Williams, teacher and accompanist. Angela was introduced by them to what would later become her instrument – her singing voice. She remained in touch with these mentors and teachers over many years.

In 1971 Angela completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree at Sydney University, and in 1972 she was introduced to performance, as Messagera in Monteverdi's L'Orfeo, in a production by the Sydney University Musical Society, conducted by Peter Seymour. Receiving warm praise from Roger Covell, the doyen of Sydney music critics, a career in music became a firm possibility. In 1973 Angela enrolled for a Diploma of Opera at the NSW Conservatorium of Music, and in 1974 auditioned for and was invited to join the Opera Studio of the Australian Opera, as the company's first Trainee Principal. Putting her diploma studies on hold, Angela was soon promoted to Principal, singing a number of solo roles with the company, and working with conductors and directors such as Richard Bonynge, Edward Downes, John Cox, and John Copley. She also performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Willem van Otterloo.