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NAME JOHN FOREMAN

OCCUPATION CONDUCTOR

HOME TOWN MELBOURNE

Two iconic Australian musical legends, Anthony Callea and Tim Campbell join forces with conductor extraordinaire, John Foreman and the Australian Pops Orchestra, this November in a new concert featuring the timeless hits of Elton John and George Michael.

The Songs of Elton and George will travel to Hamer Hall in Melbourne from November 8 and the Sydney Opera House on November 16. We sat down and spoke with John ahead of the show to talk music, travel, and what to do in his adopted home town of Melbourne.

Congratulations on your new show with fellow music legends, Anthony Callea and Tim Campbell! Can you describe the show and what can audiences expect?

It’s going to be amazing. As we all know, Anthony and Tim are fantastic singers and they’re both great performers. But it’s particularly thrilling to experience the sound of wonderful voices together with an orchestra – it’s an epic wall of sound unlike anything else. The guys will be performing the music of Elton John and George Michael. Each of these incredible artists has a brilliant repertoire, so the show will be wall-to-wall hits. Audiences can expect great songs, performed by brilliant singers, with the spectacle and gravitas of an orchestra. It’ll be fantastic!

You started your music career on Good Morning Australia when you were 19 and went onto work with Australian music royalty. What have been some of your career highlights to date?

I’ve been very lucky – and yes, Good Morning Australia was a great break for me. It was so much fun. I loved working with Bert and the whole team. I also loved working on Australian Idol – again, looking back, I’m reminded of the night Anthony sang The Prayer with the Idol orchestra – that’s the sort of

INSPIRED TO VISIT AUSTRALIA? Check out our tours here

WANT TO SEE THE SHOW? Click here excitement we’re aiming to recreate with this concert. There have been so many highlights – I think meeting people like Burt Bacharach and Tony Bennett would be up there as my favourite moments. In terms of what happens next, I’m really trying to encourage more people to come and enjoy the incomparable sound of a live orchestra.

Describe your perfect day in your hometown?

I live in Melbourne now but I grew up in Newcastle where I lived until I was 15. Newcastle is a great city, with a vibrant cultural community and, usually, great weather and Melbourne is one of the best places in the world to live. A perfect day in Melbourne is a sunny 21 degrees, begins with an al fresco brunch somewhere and culminates in a great show in one of Melbourne's many wonderful theatres.

Top tips for visitors to Mebourne?

Enjoy some of the world’s best coffee, explore the fabulous city laneways, experience the many fantastic rooftop bars and go for a drive on the Great Ocean Road. The Botanical Gardens are absolutely beautiful.

Where are you headed on your next holiday?

I just returned from a quick getaway in country Victoria. Why? Excellent question. I really wanted an easy break, within a twohour drive, where I could take the dog! Sometimes it’s great to have an action-packed, fill-the-day, do-everything holiday. This time, I did nothing.

Once-in-a-lifetime bucket list destination?

I’d love to go somewhere really far north – like Norway, Finland or Iceland. There’s something intriguing and magical about cold weather (in small doses) and I’d love to see the Northern Lights.