Alison Morgan
Soprano Alison Morgan is one of Australia’s foremost interpreters of contemporary classical vocal music. Across more than 25 years she has built a career on demanding, often virtuosic new repertoire as chorister and soloist.
A talented musician from an early age, she began as a chorister in Surrey, England, emigrated to Perth as a teenager, and later completed a music degree at the Queensland Conservatorium. Moving to Sydney in 1989, she quickly established herself as both chorister and soloist, drawn to demanding, often virtuosic music. She has since appeared as a soloist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, The Australian Ballet, The Song Company, Ensemble Offspring, Synergy and many other ensembles.
She is a founding member of the Pinchgut Opera chorus and of the professional choir Cantillation, with both of which she has performed and recorded regularly.
Driven by a passion for modern vocal music, she became co-artistic director of Halcyon in 1998. There she has been instrumental in commissioning, performing and recording a significant share of the Australian vocal chamber music written since 2000. As performer, colleague, mentor, teacher and coach she has long advocated for the vocal music of living composers within her community.
She appears on numerous recordings with Halcyon, Pinchgut Opera and Cantillation, among them Halcyon’s Cool Black (MCD 396) and Kingfisher (TP236).
Performing as Halcyon
Regarded as a leading light in the field of new music, Halcyon presents stunning performances of vocal chamber music from around the world, with a special emphasis on Australian content.
From the Hungry Waiting Country
Three astounding works by Elliott Gyger are presented by Halcyon, featuring the thrilling voices of Jenny Duck-Chong and Alison Morgan with some of Australia’s best performers. Challenging music that rewards every listen, full of mystery and glistening textures, its narrative holds you to the end.
This Moment Must Be Sung: Chamber Songs of Andrew Schultz
A special recording of chamber vocal music by Australian composer Andrew Schultz. Halcyon—Alison Morgan and Jenny Duck-Chong with a fine instrumental ensemble—has championed his writing for one and two voices across two decades.
Kingfisher
This CD is the result of a daring project to commission 21 composers to write new works for Halcyon's two singers, Jenny Duck-Chong and Alison Morgan. Presented over two concerts in their 15th anniversary year, and then recorded at Trackdown.