NEIGHBOURING MPs Adam Marshall and Kevin Anderson have swapped invitations to very different cultural events that exemplify the two major cities in their electorates.
On Monday at Kootingal, Mr Marshall invited the Tamworth MP to a performance of Puccini’s La Boheme over the Australia Day weekend.
Mr Anderson responded with an invitation for his Northern Tablelands colleague to attend the Country Music Festival, which is already under way.
They met at the Kootingal Bowling Club where well known country music star and golden guitar winner Adam Harvey entertained people with a disability and their carers.
Mr Anderson, a dab hand with a guitar, was also part of the entertainment line-up and Mr Marshall, who is also known to strum a tune or two, brought his own guitar.
“Music unites everyone,” Mr Marshall said.
“People might have different tastes and preferences, but it’s not exclusive. You can love country and western, jazz and blues and also be a fan of high opera.
“Tamworth and Armidale both have these major and very different musical events in January, and as we are close neighbours and friends it seems like a great idea to experience and enjoy both.”
The Tamworth MP says his taste in music is eclectic.
“I’d love to go to La Boheme and congratulate all those responsible for staging such a grand opera in Armidale,” he said.
“We have a lot of people from Armidale coming to the Country Music Festival, and I’m sure there are many Tamworth opera buffs who won’t want to miss the opera.
“Both towns are strong music centres, and we are fortunate to have such variety to choose from.”
La Boheme, one of the world’s favourite operas, is the second full-scale production from the newly formed company Opera New England, with performances on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
– Performers raring to go, Page 16
