The Australian Artist & Talent Register: Reviews

	Bio. Ida Chionh, A Review
	Ida Chionh. A food and travel journalist, author, cooking demonstrator and general bon vivant, Ida is also a keen arts enthusiast. ``Many years ago, when I was younger and slimmer, I was the third wife of the king of Siam in a production of The King and I in Singapore,'' she said. Now living in Melbourne, Ida has also appeared on television, with wok in one hand and a microphone in the other. ``Denise Drysdale enjoyed my spring rolls on Channel 7 and Meena Patak shared the secrets of her spice world with me on cable TV,'' Ida said. On the airwaves, she has spoken on matters artistic, gastronomic and global on ABC radio 774, SBS radio and is a regular guest on community radio Southern FM. Ida also writes for Leader Newspapers and has contributed restaurant reviews, travel tales and arts articles to The Age, Herald Sun, Royalauto and other publications in Australia and overseas. She wrote for Mietta's restaurant guides, The Little Red Book (a guide to Asian restaurants in Melbourne) and authored three books for children. Her latest book is a work in progress, a culinary journey that started with her childhood in Singapore and is still continuing in Melbourne. ``My parents, who were true-blue Straits Chinese, also known as Peranakans, instilled in me a love for the finer things in life, including music, culture and food,'' said. Ida will review performances from the arts scene in Melbourne.

ART MUSIC THE BLUES THE HYPOCRITE THEATRE MELB. XERXES	Review by Ida Chionh Xerxes By George F Handel Performed by Victorian Opera Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre August 13 to 20. Book now at melbournerecital.com.au or (03) 9699 3333. Xerxes, composed by Handel in 1737, tells the story of Xerxes, King of Persia, and his brother Arsamene, who are both in love with the same girl, Romilda, Xerxes banishes his brother from his kingdom to punish him, while overlooking the fact that he (Xerxes) is already betrothed to Amastre, who disguises herself as a man to be near him. To complicate matters, Atalanta, Romilda's sister, is also in love with Arsamene. Through all the twists of fate and misunderstanding, Ariodate, Romilda's father, arranges her marriage to Arsamene. Love conquers all in the end and Xerxes is reconciled with Amastre. The leading lights of Melbourne's operatic world star in this opera, directed by Roger Hodgman and conducted by John O'Donnell. They include Tobias Cole as Xerxes, Roxanne Hislop as Amastre, Dimity Shepherd as Arsamene and Tiffany Speight as Romilda. The magnificent costumes, designed by Trelise Cooper, showcase vibrant colours, accentuating exquisite beadwork, prints and sequins. Xerxes is a fitting finale to Victorian Opera's 2009 season. More information on www.victorianopera.com.au Images by Jeff Busby
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