de Pieri: Siobhan Stagg’s magic is just part of Sunraysia’s story

I TURN on the radio in the morning and ABC AM is conducted by Sabra Lane, originally from Mildura.

I watch TV and I see Ben Knight, a local lad who started his journalism career in this town.

I watch a gardening program and I see Jane Edmanson — I visit the National Gallery of Victoria and enjoy works by a now local Domenico de Clario, I read a complex analysis of a work of art and I am reading Helen Vivian, curator and art critic and I turn to the opera at the highest artistic level and I see Siobhan Stagg, whose profile Sunraysia Daily is publishing this week.

And there are many other sons and daughters of Sunraysia, young and not so young, in all fields of endeavour, from business, the law, sport, fashion, aviation and more.

Sunraysia Daily will feature their profiles and interviews in the hope that their success is an inspiration to our readers.

Surely, to appreciate these achievers is an affirmation of this community and the opposite of the dreaded tall-poppy syndrome, which we at times have been so good at cultivating.

In the time of dangerous COVID-19, we need more affirmation and cohesion to keep us strong and create the conditions for good leadership in this town, now needed more than ever. We need to tell good stories to the world, including those by the quiet achievers who do not make it into the limelight, but who nonetheless are essential to good society.

And, talking of the limelight — Siobhan Stagg, from Mildura to Berlin.

What a journey, what an achievement. I remember her on many, many occasions performing here for our pleasure and showing signs of what was to come.

On one occasion she played at the Catholic church, accompanied by my brother Sergio, who immediately was taken by her talent. On seeing her on YouTube the other night, in the role of Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, he had tears in his eyes — the powerful force of art, and that’s from a musician who taught at the Venice Conservatorium for 30 years and has seen the best of the best.

The people in this series are our representatives, our ambassadors and inspiration. Sunraysia Daily will bring their stories to you over time from whichever field they excel.

In the meantime, if you want to see Siobhan perform, go to www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/the-magic-flute-stream-details.

The Magic Flute is not quite like the other of the great works of Mozart, it has an unusual plot, it is a little weird, a little magical but with the most enjoyable arias and entertaining moments.