James Blunt Retires

James Blunt retires from AOBO after almost three decades

Following the best part of 30 years service to the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, James Blunt, principal trumpet from 1979-2001, has decided to leave the orchestra to pursue other activities.  Blunt enjoyed his past five years after stepping down to 2nd trumpet and is looking forward to managing a greatly enlarged teaching roster as well as enjoying more regular nights at home with his two children Ben (a budding young trumpeter himself) and Emily. 

James made sure he enjoyed his final appearance with the AOBO at the 2006 New Year’s Eve gala in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House.  He was able to go out with a real bang, combining with Brian Evans (1st trumpet) and Peter Wiseman (2nd trumpet) in rousing selections that included Verdi’s Force of Destiny Overture which almost upstaged the midnight fireworks.  Blunt made sure he took take part in the traditional fanfare, played in the concert hall foyers by the brass section.  This year a quintet arranged by principal trombonist Greg van der Struik announced the imminent performance to an appreciative audience.

Blunt’s tenure in the AOBO spanned many eras in the history of the orchestra and the broad range of playing required in opera and ballet ensured the widest repertoire imaginable.  His departure breaks up the section that was reported in the June 2006 issue of the ITG Journal as the AOBO’s longest standing unchanged section.  Blunt’s legacy can be heard on the many Opera Australia videos and CDs, often featuring Dame Joan Sutherland, on which he led the brass section and which are still readily available.

Source: Brian Evans

 

 

James Blunt