Pianist

Collaborative pianist Penelope Cashman draws audiences into vivid worlds of song, the shared human experience of poets and composers across time and culture. Her performances have been compared to “a Turner painting… iridescent” (GlamAdelaide). Penelope’s recital credits include Ukaria Cultural Centre (South Australia), Het Bethaniënklooster (The Netherlands), and the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts (NZ). Her extensive repertoire ranges from Strauss and Puccini to Boulanger, Cawrse and Price.

Penelope’s recent song project, And the Earth Turns, explores our relationship to nature and the universe surrounding us through repertoire that spans nine centuries. Devised and performed with soprano Bethany Hill, this semi-staged performance of works in five languages includes spoken texts and follows the course of a day from sunrise through to a starlit night. Created in collaboration with director Alek Lev, the project was supported by Chamber Music Adelaide. “Movement, spoken and sung word, music… all combined to create a meditative theatrical force.” (GlamAdelaide)

2025 marks the inaugural season of Magpie Artsong, a recital series co-directed by Penelope and Kyle Stegall (tenor). The project seeks to create intimate and immersive experiences showcasing the power of artsong to evoke emotions, spark imagination, and inspire creativity and openness.

Opera work has taken Penelope to the Pieve di San Leolino (Chianti, Italy), Theater Akzent (Vienna), and the Festival Theatre (Adelaide). As music director and pianist for Opera Queensland’s Moving Opera she performed for 22 schools and communities across Queensland. She has led chamber productions of The Old Maid and the Thief and Suor Angelica for Mopoke Theatre. Repetiteur credits include Così fan tutte and Madama Butterfly for State Opera South Australia.

A committed teaching artist, Penelope has presented masterclasses at the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music (NZ) and served as faculty member for the State Opera of South Australia Opera Academy. She currently teaches lyric diction at the Elder Conservatorium of Music. In addition to a PhD, she holds degrees from the Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien (Austria), the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (The Netherlands), and the Australian National University.

Photos: Kate Elmes, Jason Mildwaters

Calendar

Magpie Artsong Inaugural Recital

Sunday 6th April, 4.00 pm
Leaver and Son Piano Showroom
150 Payneham Rd, Evandale SA

Kyle Stegall tenor
Penelope Cashman piano
TICKET INFORMATION
The Touch of Dreams

Friday 2nd May, 1.10pm
Elder Hall, The University of Adelaide
Mitchell Berick clarinet
Kyle Stegall tenor
Penelope Cashman piano
TICKET INFORMATION
Pelham Andrews, Magpie Artsong

Sunday 3rd August, 3.00pm
The Top House, Coriole Vineyards
Chaffeys Rd, McLaren Vale SA
Pelham Andrews bass
Penelope Cashman piano
TICKET INFORMATION TBC