Fine Arts Trust

Fine Arts Trust (Incorporating the Robert Stolz Music Scholarship)

The Fine Arts Trust sponsors young Australian participants in the Hans Gabor Belvedere International Singing Competition in Vienna. Performing for the world's leading opera managers, directors and agents provides an unparalleled professional experience for young aspiring singers.

This year (2010), the sponsorship was awarded to Jacqueline Porter from Melbourne (pictured middle right). 

Melbourne-born Soprano, Jacqueline Porter is one of Australia's most promising and versatile young artists who performs across a broad range of repertoire including Opera, Oratorio, Art Song, and Lieder. She was recently awarded the 2010 Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust Scholarship and was equal runner-up in the 2009 Sun Herald Sun Aria . 

Jacqueline made her debut with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 2005, whilst completing her Honours degree in Music Performance and Bachelor of Arts (Italian) at the University of Melbourne. She now appears regularly as a soloist with the major orchestras and chorales in Australia, having recently worked with celebrated conductors Sir Neville Marriner, and Vladimir Ashkenazy. Her performance with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, ASO in Vienna, was the 2009 New Year's Eve broadcast on ABC Classic FM.

Upon finishing her degree she was selected as a Developing Artist with Victorian Opera and went on to become a principal artist with the company. She was nominated for an ABC Limelight Magazine Award for Best Newcomer and her performance of Saskia and Hendrickje Stoffels in the World Premiere of Andrew Ford's Rembrandt's Wife, saw her nominated for a Green Room Award for Best Female in a Supporting Role. In November she will make her debut as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel with the State Opera of South Australia. 

Jacqueline has been selected as the sole Australian competing in the Hans Gabor Belvedere International Singing Competition to be held in Vienna in June 2010 and is grateful to the Apex Foundation for providing financial support through the Fine Arts Trust.

Click here to read about Robert Stolz  and his career in brief. Picture below right with his wife Yvonne.

FUNDS DISBURSED FROM THIS TRUST:      2008/09   $2,325       Total over $300,000