“Opera and classical music shouldn’t be just for the elite,” says Australian-born soprano Breana Stillman. The opera singer leads a double life; based in Rome and singing throughout Europe, she’s also on a mission to bring classical music and opera to disadvantaged youth in central Africa, using art as a therapy.
Breana spends several months a year in Kenya with the charity she founded, OperAffinity, working and performing with impoverished children to develop their artistic abilities, and to create cultural connection through music.
Follow Breana's journey and for more on OperAffinity and its festival in Todi, Italy, https://www.breanasoprano.com/, https://www.operaffinity.com/
Also, while Americans are travelling to Australian in record numbers, Aussies are choosing Asia over the US for their international holidays, according to the latest Travel Trends Report from the Australian Travel Industry Association, https://atia.travel/
And finally, Southern Cross Travel Insurance makes the case for taking out travel insurance for domestic travel, https://www.scti.com.au/
Visit us at https://theworldawaits.au
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Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:02):
Welcome to the World Awakes.
Travel tales to inspire yourwanderlust.
Welcome back to the WorldAwakes.
How are you all?
How's your week been, Belle?
SPEAKER_01 (00:13):
Oh, Kirsty, I am still brushing the red dirt from
my hair after an amazing trip inCentral Australia.
I'm so in love with thelandscape.
The region is full ofwildflowers, Uluru, Katajuda,
and they are just asinspirational as ever.
And I am now an expert aterecting rooftop tents.
Bonus.
I can't wait to tell you.
I'm not going to tell youanymore.
(00:33):
I'm going to tell you all aboutit in a week or so, but you can
see some fabulous photos from meand my friend and photographer
Jude Van Dalen because wetraveled together through this
iconic Australian destinationwith our older teens.
So that's what I've been up to,Kirsty.
What about you?
SPEAKER_00 (00:49):
I can't wait to see Jude's photos because she's such
a beautiful photographer.
And so I just I'm dying to seethose.
Well, as this goes to air, Iwould have just landed in
Tahiti.
So you can follow me on Insta atKirsty Wrights, W-R-I-T-S.
And um, I'm sure we'll also popa few photos up on the World
Awaits Institute.
So yeah, but just jumpingstraight in this week, and we
(01:11):
are chatting about theAustralian Travel Industry
Association's latest traveltrends report.
So ACIA is actually, they're thepeat body for um everyone in the
travel industry.
So travel businesses, and theyhave released really regular
travel trends reports fromreally extensive data.
So it's really and it's reallyinteresting.
We thought this one wasparticularly interesting.
SPEAKER_01 (01:33):
Yeah, so this one shows that for the months of
July, there was a significantsurge in US travelers coming
here to Australia and a rise ofnearly 20%, while Australian
visitors in the oppositedirection dropped by nearly 3%
in July.
And that reflects other datathat we've been seeing across
the industry as well.
Yeah, so this one showed for themonths of June and July, there
(01:54):
was a significant surge in UStravelers coming here by more
than 19%.
While Australian visitors to theUS dropped by nearly 3% in July,
and that reflects other datawe've been seeing across the
industry too.
So the report shows that whileAmericans are coming here in
record numbers, we are choosingAsia over the US.
SPEAKER_00 (02:12):
Yeah, and the ACIA CEO Dean Long says the continued
popularity of Asia is led byplaces like Japan.
I mean, we've been talking aboutthis for ages, about obviously
the boom in Japan, China andalso Vietnam.
So it shows a distinct, he saysit shows a distinct preference
for diverse and culturally richtravel that offer really good
value too, because obviouslythey're um from a dollar
(02:35):
perspective, it's much, it'smuch better to go there than it
is to go to the US.
Well, the jump in Americanscoming here, he said, shows
Australia's got really goodappeal as a holiday destination,
and we all know that.
SPEAKER_01 (02:47):
Yeah, I know that was a bit of a no-brainer.
We're fabulous.
So for the year ending July2025, international visitors to
Australia increased by 6%.
Um, and that meant we hadsomething like 8.5 million
visitors.
And then Aussie's going overseasalso boomed, with more than 12
million of us traveling duringthe year, up from uh just over
(03:08):
11 million last year.
And interestingly, one airlineroute it highlighted as seeing
key strong growth was Perth toSydney, which had a significant
increase of more than 11% inseat capacity.
Well, routes like the Gold Coastto Melbourne was down and also
Adelaide to Sydney declined too.
SPEAKER_00 (03:27):
Yeah, and they said that that surge in Aussies going
overseas was to places acrossAsia, like we said before, with
Japan up almost 27%, China andVietnam up around 25%, and
Thailand was pretty strong too.
I wonder, you know, a lot ofthat was to do with the set
jetting and the white lotuseffect, because oh my gosh, then
that's been proven.
And through uh mine hotels whoown Anatara properties where
(03:49):
those um were film locations forwhite lotus have all have
released really significantincreases and and travelers
purely for set jetting reasons.
But Indonesia still remains thenumber one destination, and they
had more than 1.7 milliontravelers.
SPEAKER_01 (04:05):
No, I can't go past a Bali breakaway, can you?
That's just phenomenal how it isbooming.
Um, the record also found thatairlines benefiting from all of
this travel are Jet Star andCafe Pacific, which was recorded
the strongest gains year onyear.
Qantas held steady, although theother major carriers, including
Air New Zealand, Emirates, QatarVirgin, and Malaysian, all had
(04:27):
slight declines.
And I guess that is justreflective of where people are
going.
SPEAKER_00 (04:53):
Oh my god, that sounds like a dream.
But um, yes, what made you wantto interview her and what's her
travel angle bell?
SPEAKER_01 (05:00):
Well, she was actually recommended to me by
our Rome expert Maria Pasquale,who's been on the show a couple
of times.
And Maria knows a good storywhen she hears it, because
Brianna is on this mission todemocratize classical music and
specifically opera, and to useit to create cultural
connections with children fromdifferent backgrounds.
So she spends at least a coupleof months every year in Central
(05:21):
Africa singing and bringingmusic to children.
So I'm going to chat to herabout this double life, which is
all connected by music.
So take a listen.
Rihanna, welcome to the worldawaits.
It's so great to have you on.
SPEAKER_02 (05:35):
Thank you so much.
I'm so happy to be here.
SPEAKER_01 (05:37):
Now, um, by here, I want to define where you are
actually at the moment.
Are you in Rome or are you inthe world's most livable city,
which apparently is a medievalhilltop town called Toddy?
So where are you?
SPEAKER_02 (05:51):
So right now I'm in Rome.
I've just spent two weeks inToddy, just finished a big
project there.
Um, but yeah, I'm based in Romeand I'm lucky enough to call
Toddy my second home, which is,like you said, this fairy tale
medieval town on top of a hillthat is full of Australians.
SPEAKER_01 (06:08):
That's so bizarre.
What um well, I know we're gonnawe're going to talk about you
and and what you do and all ofthat sort of thing.
But for okay, Toddy, I want toknow why is this tiny little
town, I mean, the population isis minuscule.
Why is that so um full ofAustralians?
SPEAKER_02 (06:25):
Well, I know just from my own personal story that
uh my parents have had a housethere for 18 years, and they
found Toddy because there was anarticle in a newspaper in
Melbourne where I'm originallyfrom that said Toddy, the most
livable city in the world.
And so kind of put Toddy on theMac, I guess, in Australia.
Um, the same thing happened inAmerica as well.
So there's quite a fewAmericans, but I have to say we
(06:47):
have a beautiful Australiancommunity, and you know, I've I
organise a lot of events andthey're all so supportive.
And we have the Australianambassador come up a lot, both
for the Holy See and the mainembassy in Italy.
And it's just, yeah, it's awonderful place, really.
SPEAKER_01 (07:03):
Well, um, and so now um tell us your relationship
with Toddy and what makes it sowonderful.
What is this project you've beenworking on there?
SPEAKER_02 (07:14):
So I am actually an Australian opera singer, and I
moved away from Australia rightafter I finished my university
degree.
I moved to London, but I alwayshad, I'd always been connected
to Toddy.
My parents, when they bought thehouse, I go over and spend a
week there a year with them ortwo weeks, and it really was
(07:35):
where my love of opera reallydeveloped because you know, we
don't have such a history ofopera in Australia.
And so when I'd been told that Ihad this operatic potential, I
kind of thought, what is that?
Because I don't come from amusical family either.
But because of Toddy, I wasjust, you know, it it became
(07:55):
this passion of mine becauseit's so beautiful there.
There's so much history.
We have an opera house that is ajewel.
There's 500 seats, it's like amini-less scala.
And yeah, I just fell in lovewith the culture, with Italy,
with everything about it.
And so I felt like I really owedToddy and its community a lot
for my journey and my career.
(08:16):
So a few years ago, I'd uhestablished this organization
called Opera Affinity.
And at first I established it inthe UK because I was based there
for many years.
And now we also have anorganization, an association in
Umbria, in Italy, which is whereToddy is in that region.
And I try to make opera andclassical music more accessible,
(08:38):
bring it to the community, bringit into the streets.
We do flash mobs, we have thehighest level of artistry going
on in all these amazinglocations, piazzas.
There's a beautiful littletheatre, and then we do things
in the bigger theatre, andbasically we just have the whole
town alive with classical musicand opera.
SPEAKER_01 (08:57):
Just it sounds just incredible.
I mean, how I've got yourrelationship with how you you
found Toddy, but then let's justbacktrack a bit.
You're from Melbourne.
You studied, um, you studiedopera here in Australia, and
then and then you just stretchedyour wings and and with that
connection in Toddy, this isyou've got this this beautiful
bass there.
(09:17):
Tell us a bit about yourday-to-day life.
I mean, Toddy is halfway betweenalmost sort of roughly halfway
between Florence and Rome,really, isn't it?
And Rome is your actual home.
I mean, if you're going to singopera, I cannot think of a
better city to be located.
I couldn't agree more.
SPEAKER_02 (09:34):
It is magic.
And everyone that I uh, becausethere are actually a lot of
Australians here too, but itreally holds a special place in
everybody's heart that liveshere.
You know, it's it's just it'sfull of wonder and everything
about it.
You know, you can be having abad day with Italian
bureaucracy, because that's oneof the maybe less so positive
things about Italy.
(09:55):
But you go out for a walk andyou turn to your right, and the
Colosseum's here, and the RomanForum is there, and there's
just, it is just, it's, and thesunsets and the food and the
people and the weather.
And I I just I have to pinchmyself sometimes.
And and I say to my friends thathave been here for a long time,
like Maria Pasquale, who we haveas a mutual friend, do you ever,
(10:19):
do you ever lose that wonder ofthe city?
And no, you don't, because it isit is an incredible place to
live.
SPEAKER_01 (10:26):
Oh, you are so uh I don't know.
I'm feeling it, you know.
Melbourne is talking aboutsprinter, like we've got a
little spring flush going on,but apparently it's really hot
in Rome at the moment, andeverybody's just having that
still that beautiful continualsummer.
Um, as well as as Toddy,population 17,000, can I say,
and and it has very famouspeople actually living there.
(10:49):
I think that um Jane Turner, Ithink he's the creator of Happen
Kidney's Day series, isn't she?
SPEAKER_02 (10:55):
Well, she's I think they have a place in Cortona,
which is just a little bit northup, but there are lots of
Australians that live in Toddythat really, you know, it's
bring this wonderful Australianflair, and we have great, a
great community, great dinners,great events.
So there is definitely somevery, very wonderful Australians
(11:16):
that live there.
SPEAKER_01 (11:18):
If I if I was to visit um during the time, I
mean, Opera Affinity is yourproject that you've been working
on there.
Um, in it's just finished itssecond year now.
Um the big question is, is ithappening next year?
It is.
SPEAKER_02 (11:32):
So we literally just packed up the theatre yesterday
morning and I drove back down tohome because I was missing it so
much.
And um, we're already in talkswith other cities close by.
I think not only will it happenin Toddy, but we're looking at
doing things in Venice inbeautiful little towns in the
surrounding areas around Umbria.
So I'm pretty excited.
(11:53):
It was so successful this year.
The concerts were wonderful.
Some of the community came.
We had, I think, eight concertsin one week, and some of the
community came to every singleconcert.
So it was just so well received.
I was over the moon.
I had an incredible team.
We have some amazing sponsors.
There's a young Americangentleman who's bought a really
(12:14):
large convent just outside ofToddy.
And so we're thinking aboutbuilding an amphitheater there
and, you know, really, I don'tknow, Italy has this kind of
this it makes you dream, itmakes you inspire to do,
especially us foreigners,because we can't believe we're
lucky enough to be able to callit home.
And so I think we really we havebig dreams for how we can
(12:35):
expand, what we can do, how wecan make opera more accessible
for everybody and give everybodythat comes to visit that dream
of what you expect in Italy: great food, beautiful music, (12:42):
undefined
opera, and great wine.
SPEAKER_01 (12:48):
What a perfect combination.
And I love the idea that you'retalking about accessibility
because, you know, I think umit's seen as such a such a
highbrow art form, particularlyin Australia, you know, um, and
inaccessible and difficult to toappreciate.
And yet you're talking about, Imean, flashmogs in the street
singing opera.
(13:09):
I mean, that's that'sphenomenal.
And and having it notnecessarily, yes, there are
opera houses and some of thegrand houses in in Europe are to
be found in Italy, but you'retalking about that
democratization of opera,really, aren't you?
And that's what makes it soexciting.
SPEAKER_02 (13:25):
Absolutely.
And I love seeing people's facesor the feedback that I've got
even in the last 24 hours fromall these older gentlemen that,
you know, love footy and don'treally like that opera scene, or
thought that they didn't.
And they've written me messagesand said, Brianna, I'm so far
from the crowd that usually goesto the opera, but I have to say
(13:46):
that you've won me over.
And it's it makes me so happybecause I think it does have
that kind of stereotype thatit's only for these, you know,
it's only highbrow and it's not.
It can make people reallyexcited.
And so all my concerts that I doare just over an hour long.
And they're all the you know,the jewels of the opera
(14:06):
repertoire, and we really tryand bring it back to the streets
and try and get young peopleinvolved and excited about it.
And I think that's my the goalof why I started my organization
in the first place.
So it's I'm very happy.
SPEAKER_01 (14:20):
Well, I mean, this the organization sounds amazing.
I kind of like the fact that Idon't have to like opera, I
don't have to commit to a sortof ringing cycle nine hour, you
know, nine hour sittings at atime.
Um, tell us a bit about yourorganization, and um, this
brings us to the second half ofthis conversation, where it has
taken you.
SPEAKER_02 (14:39):
So actually, it was founded.
Well, it started from an ideathat I had.
My dad had moved to Kenya.
My brother had married a Kenyanwoman, and my dad had gone over
to meet the family, fallen inlove with the country and all
its people, and moved there.
And I was working at an operahouse in Germany at the time in
Kassel, and I wanted to visit mydad, but I don't have that
(15:01):
personality that's allowed toswitch off that easily.
And so I thought rather thanjust go and have a holiday, he
told me so many things about howincredible the people were and
how hard the life is there forsome of them.
And I'd work when I was workingin Germany, I saw we had they
had to do so much with youth, somuch with young people in opera.
(15:22):
And I kind of had thisinspiration that maybe I could
go over and do some music with,you know, in these marginalized
areas.
So I'd mentioned it to a few ofthe orchestra, and before I know
it, we had a whole group of usthat were heading over to Kenya.
I developed these workshops thatintroduced opera and classical
music in a really accessible,fun way.
(15:42):
And I met this wonderful Irishnun called Sister Mary Colleen,
who's educated over 900,000 kidssince she first moved to the
slum areas in Nairobi.
And we worked with 6,000 kids onthe first trip.
We had them up conducting usand, you know, working with
classical music, learningchoruses.
(16:02):
They prepared their traditionalmusic, and my life just changed.
And it's really where OperaAffinity was born because I saw
that music has this incrediblepower to unite people with
different cultures, religions,and it's really a vehicle of,
you know, it inspires them.
We've now brought over Kenyansfrom these areas to sing with me
at the Vatican.
(16:23):
We just had two Kenyan singerscome over for the festival, and
it was incredible.
They actually performed one oftheir folk songs on stage at the
opera house with a local TudinTuderta uh guitarist and an
Italian pianist.
And so, you know, we had thiscross-cultural mix in the most
(16:43):
beautiful opera house, I think,in Umbria.
And it was just so wellreceived.
And that's what music does.
It brings us together.
We're able to tell a story andhave a universal language.
So that's where Opera Finity wasborn, and now it's just
expanded, and it's really anexciting, exciting process that
I'm I'm really looking forwardto seeing where it takes me.
SPEAKER_01 (17:06):
Oh, amazing.
I mean, that I I guess you'dsort of answer the question that
that had been um in my mindsince we first started talking
about this interview, which wasum, you know, Kenya has such a
rich musical tradition, andyou've got the traditions of
Italy, um, how they cametogether.
So, I mean, that is just such anexciting um melding of the two
(17:28):
of the two cultures and the twomusical traditions.
And I think um you're probably II guess as you say, you're
probably that that ilk thatnever turn never switches off.
You're always working in thebackground and and finding some
incredible talent.
So while you're doing that, youare traveling all through Kenya
as well, aren't you?
SPEAKER_02 (17:48):
I am, yes.
And I'm falling more and more inlove with the country, just like
I have been with Italy everytime I visit a new place.
So I, yeah, I've traveled.
I first started in Nairobi, andthen my dad was up north in a
place called Isiolo, and we dida lot of work there.
It was it's very remote, and sowe were able to go into these
communities that had never heardmusic like that before and work
(18:10):
in welfare centres, which wasquite heavy the first time, but
the children responded so wellto the musical workshops that it
was really it was an incredibleexperience.
SPEAKER_01 (18:21):
But yeah, since then Yeah, sorry, you you were sorry,
you were actually bringingsinging opera to those children.
Is that right?
Yeah, yeah, we were.
SPEAKER_02 (18:31):
And it was the first time they were hearing it.
And I think that I'm almostaddicted to seeing their little
faces the first time that they,you know, because I'm quite
petite and you know operasingers can be really loud.
And so seeing them, their faceslight up when they hear that
sound and the shock and the joyand the surprise that they're
able to do.
And then also when I walk awayhearing them try to imitate me,
(18:53):
it's just it's it's gorgeous.
And so I, you know, I'm quiteyeah, it's a wonderful
experience.
And then hearing their music,going into these remote areas,
seeing the, you know, thescenery, the national parks, the
beaches that that Kenya has.
It's so rich with its cultureand its landscapes.
It's it's a beautiful place.
SPEAKER_01 (19:13):
It's funny because we tend to think of it as a
safari destination, and that uhand that is the reason you go
there.
Um, but I mean, tell us a littlemore about those.
It's either safari or, you know,the news on you know, on the
travel side, and then the newsside is always, you know,
world's biggest slums and stufflike that.
So it's yeah, it either has, youknow, this fantasy and then or
(19:36):
you know, a really grim titlesreality.
So, I mean, what are yourexperiences?
If you were to recommendsomebody you've got to go to
Kenya, where would you besending me?
SPEAKER_02 (19:45):
So I was the same as you.
And when uh my dad had movedthere, and then he bought this
beach house, I thought there'sno beaches in Kenya.
And I was so wrong, and I'm gladthat I was wrong because it's
some of the most incrediblebeaches that I've ever seen.
My dad bought a house inMalindi, but I've done a lot of
travel up and down the coast,Khalifi and Watamu, and the
(20:06):
beaches are just wonderful.
They're those crystal bluewaters and the white sands, and
I think my favorite part aboutKenya, and every single person
says this, is the people.
They're intelligent and kind andhardworking and so happy.
So putting that together withthe Masaimara National Park and
then these incredible whitesand, blue water beaches, you
(20:30):
just have this destinationthat's just in an incredible
place.
And I urge everybody to go andcheck it out.
And this I just was thererecently and went to the Lake
District for the first time.
So we went up to Lake Naivashaand it was so beautiful.
You just you're just cruising onthe along Lake Naivasha, and
there's hippos everywhere aroundyou and beautiful bird life and
(20:52):
islands full of free roaminganimals.
And so it is it is pretty, it'san incredible place.
SPEAKER_01 (20:59):
That's amazing because the south is is where
traditionally the tourism hasgone, isn't it?
Into the south and then a littleover to Mombasa as well.
Um, but you're going up, you'regoing up north.
Is it is it easy, is it easy totravel through those areas?
SPEAKER_02 (21:15):
Yes, I don't uh we usually just hire uh drivers and
they drive us up and take useverywhere.
Everything is is quiteaffordable.
So, you know, it's very easy.
And I find I have never had anyissues with with anywhere that
I've gone.
My brother is based up at MountKenya, um, so in Nukuru.
(21:36):
So it's so beautiful there aswell.
It's just, yeah, it's amazing,all of it.
Sorry, Nanuki, not Nakuru.
SPEAKER_01 (21:43):
So yeah.
This was a theme.
Is this with the sea of pinkflamingos everywhere?
SPEAKER_02 (21:49):
Is that the sort of Nakuru?
Which is also incredible.
So then we've got another placeto add to the list.
But Nanuki is at the foot ofMount Kenya, so you it's you've
got the background of thisincredible mountain with the ice
cap on top that some veryadventurous people climb, but
there is just so much to see.
The food scene's amazing.
(22:09):
It's it's a beautiful place.
What sort of food would you beeating there?
It's certainly every time I goback, there are more amazing
restaurants opening up.
It's it's kind of like itreminds me of Melbourne in the
multiculturalism.
So there's just it's a meltingpot of everything.
But they have wonderful, youknow, traditional African food,
(22:29):
but then they have Italianrestaurants, of course, and just
anything you could imagine theyhave.
And the restaurants arewonderful.
And yeah, especially in even inthese little places, it's just
full of local restaurants andfresh produce.
So yeah, you I won't starve.
SPEAKER_01 (22:49):
I won't starve.
I think two things.
I wouldn't starve and probablywouldn't need a child in if I'm
coming from Rome.
But if you had to recommend uh atraditional Kenyan dish for me,
what would you suggest from themenu?
SPEAKER_02 (23:02):
They have wonderful, these wonderful, I don't
actually know what the name is,but it's wonderful meat dishes
with their um local bread, andyou actually eat with your hands
and scoop it up, which was a bitdaunting at the beginning, but
it was it is so delicious.
So I highly recommend all ofthe, you know, the local dishes
are incredible.
SPEAKER_01 (23:21):
So back to Opera Affinity and its work in Kenya
and in and in Italy and otherparts of Europe as well, because
you're really spreading yourwings.
What are your plans for thefuture and can people get
involved in it?
Or, you know, can they can theyplan their travel around the
festival in any way?
SPEAKER_02 (23:41):
Absolutely.
I think we just finished twodays ago and we're already
working as a team to look at thenext events, the next projects.
We're really trying to bring inall that work that I do.
We're expanding and looking atgoing to Tanzania and Uganda
next and trying to find youngand nurture young talent, give
them opportunities to havesponsorships around Europe and
(24:01):
shine a light, give them aninternational platform.
So there's lots you can do.
You can visit our website andjust and all of our social
medias and just watch forupdates because we're continuing
to expand and grow and put onmore events and hopefully work
in more parts of Italy, becauseI think Italy is such a jewel
and it's such a great backdropto then use it as this place
(24:24):
where you know you can bring inpeople from all over the world
and really use music as a way tobring us all together.
SPEAKER_01 (24:33):
Yeah, absolutely.
And um the the festival for nextyear, if I was to book travel,
when should I be planning tovisit Torre?
SPEAKER_02 (24:42):
Well, I have to say September is my favorite month
in in Italy because it's not toohot and it's you know these
balmy nights.
And so I we are hoping to keepit.
It's been this is the secondedition this year, and both
times were in September.
So I would say September is isthe month.
SPEAKER_01 (25:00):
And where would you stay nearby?
I mean, that convent soundsfantastic.
Whoever buys a convent, um, Ireally need to meet people at
Shop for Italian convents.
But what sort of accommodationis in this gorgeous medieval
hilltop town?
SPEAKER_02 (25:14):
So, because of the festival, we've done lots of
research, and there is justthere's bed and breakfasts,
agriturismos, there arebeautiful hotels.
Fendi has a hotel nearby.
I think there's a Sixth Censusthat's about to open.
So I Umbria is incrediblebecause it's still kind of very
rustic and untouched, and youreally get a sense of what Italy
(25:35):
was like back then.
It's medieval town on top ofmedieval town that just is it's
it's like a dream.
And I think that's what all theAustralians say.
They couldn't have imagined up amore beautiful town.
So I think there's a lot moreopening, but there are already
beautiful hotels in the centre,in the surroundings, and then
just in the region of Umbriaitself.
(25:56):
So there are no, you know, theywill have no problem finding
something incredible to stay in.
SPEAKER_01 (26:02):
Absolutely.
So September for next year forthe next opera affinity.
That sounds like a great plan.
I am going to ask you the finalquestion, which we ask all our
guests about your most bizarrecaval experience.
SPEAKER_02 (26:15):
Yes.
So I had a good think of this,and and the one that stands out
the most is that I was workingwith a wonderful group of
friends on one of my workshopsin Kenya, and we were absolutely
exhausted afterwards.
And usually after we finish,we'll go to my parents' beach
house in Malindi.
So for some reason, I waswalking ahead of the girls, and
(26:37):
I had my ticket, and I askedsomeone, is this the plane to
Malindi?
And they said no, and ushered meforward to another plane.
And I got on, sat in my seat,they checked my ticket, and I
popped my passport wallet,because I actually have a
British and Australian passportin the front, put down my bag
and finally took a breath andrelaxed and sat back.
And then there was anannouncement over the plane.
(26:59):
If anyone isn't going toElderett, please get off the
plane now.
And I nearly had an absoluteheart attack and put up my hand
and said, Me, me, I'm not going.
I'm not going, I'm going toMalindi.
And they ushered me off theplane.
And thank goodness the otherplane hadn't left yet.
Um, and they've just put me intoany seat.
Um, off I went to Malindi andrelaxed, got, you know, relaxed
(27:22):
and had a few days, was on thebeach.
And then um the day before I wasleaving, my mum said, Oh, can
you give me your passport sothat I can check you in?
And I started looking for mypassport.
And I think half an hour wentby, and then I suddenly just
looked up at the heavens andsaid, No.
And then I realized that I'dleft my two passports in the
(27:43):
front pocket of the plane thatwas going to some place that I'd
never even heard of before.
So it's a very long story of howeverything happened, that I got
them back.
So it was a happy ending.
But um, yeah, it was it wasquite traumatic, I have to say.
And I always check no mattereven if I, you know, have a
(28:03):
stressful moment like that, Itake a second to breathe and
check that I always have mysword on my wallet back in my
handbag.
SPEAKER_01 (28:12):
Oh, that is my worst nightmare, also being on the
plane that's going somewhereelse because you you just
outsource that to somebody totell you where you're supposed
to be.
That is terrifying, losing notone of those great cars.
SPEAKER_02 (28:23):
I know, but they're so relaxed and so, which I love
on one hand, but then yes, itcan be a bit stressful because
they're so easygoing and happyall the time.
And yeah, that that wasn't ahappy moment for me.
SPEAKER_01 (28:37):
Oh, Brianna, it's so good to talk to you.
Um, thank you for dialing infrom Rome today.
I really appreciate your time,especially as you literally just
taking your first breaths afterwhat sounds like an incredibly
successful um uh opera festivalfor you in this in this
beautiful part of Umbria.
So we're going to put all thoselinks in the show notes for the
(28:57):
socials where people can followyou, where they can see the work
that you're doing in Italy, inother parts of Europe, and in
Kenya as well.
And we can watch your progressas this fantastic uh connector
through music brings um culturalconnection because cultural
connection brings understanding.
And I think really the worldneeds some of that at the
moment, don't they?
SPEAKER_02 (29:18):
I think so too.
That's so wonderfully said, andit's been such a joy talking to
you.
Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (29:27):
I love hearing how Brianna uses music to create
connection across continents.
So beautiful.
And if you'd like to learn moreabout Brianna, the Opera Finity
Charity and the festival inToddy Essentially, visit her
website BriannaSoprano.com.
(29:52):
Our tip this week is about howto save hundreds or thousands of
dollars when you travel, and whodoesn't want to do that?
Um, so some Cross TravelInsurance's most recent future
of travel report found that 76%of Aussies claimed that travel
insurance is a high priority,but only 41% had the same
sentiment when it came tobooking domestic.
(30:13):
And I get that, guess that makessense because so many people
don't book uh insurance fordomestic travel.
SPEAKER_01 (30:19):
Yeah, absolutely.
So Jess Strange from SouthernCross Travel Insurance said
there's a lot of commentary outthere that domestic travel
insurance doesn't stack up.
And many of us believe that wedon't need insurance when we're
traveling locally because we'recovered under Medicare.
However, um, many travelersdon't take into account the
amount of money that they maylose having to cancel a trick
due to, say, an unexpectedmedical situation.
SPEAKER_00 (30:42):
Yeah, and they've got a good example.
So they had one case where afamily had to, of four, had to
cancel their trip because of abad case of gastro, and they
were able to claim back morethan$28,000 worth of expensive.
Geez.
And that included a trip on theIndo-Pacific Railway, a cruise
at Margaret Rover, and a visitto Rotten's.
Belle's laughing her head offbecause of the Gastro family.
(31:03):
That's but you know what?
They only got this back becausethey'd taken out domestic travel
insurance.
So it proves the proves thereason.
And if you've got an entirefamily with gastro, you do not
want to be going on a railway ora cruise.
SPEAKER_01 (31:19):
I just I just I'm only laughing because I'm
thinking, oh my gosh, how badwas that gastro?
Could you imagine?
Yeah, as you say, could youimagine being in those tiny
little toilets in the train andyou're like chik-chik
chick-chik-chik-chick.
Although, having said that, as abackpacker in my in my not so
distant youth, I've dealt thatplenty of times, but I wasn't
(31:40):
claiming back on my travelinsurance.
SPEAKER_00 (31:42):
Nothing worse than being sick.
Oh my god, with gastro or justbeing sick anywhere when you're
traveling.
It's just there's nothing worse.
I mean, you know, it's badenough having seasickness on a
on a cruise.
That's happened to me before,but yes.
SPEAKER_01 (31:55):
I know.
Well, I mean, they're on they'reon a railway, they're on a
cruise, they're um on an island.
Yeah, that's not where you wantto have when you want to have
your um live your gastro daysout.
Sorry, I'm so sorry.
I'm just laughing a lot because,you know, it's not a broken leg,
right?
So Southern Cross, there's giventhe high cost of uh domestic
flights and the accommodation inAustralia, and particularly, I
(32:15):
mean, they were all veryhigh-end.
They were they were big ticketitems.
The average cost of domesticclaims can sometimes exceed the
average claim cost forinternational trips.
And the moral moral of thestory, they say, is it's just
not worth taking the risk tolose hundreds or even thousands
of dollars out of pocket whenyou're traveling domestically.
SPEAKER_00 (32:35):
Next week, I'm chatting to founder and managing
director of Take Off Go, IvonaShinyaska, who is an expert in
African safaris and she'svisited Africa close to 40
times.
We discuss why Africa is such adeeply emotional experience, the
best places to go to ensureyou're doing right by the
wildlife, and how you can choosethe right safari for you.
SPEAKER_01 (32:57):
And we'd love it if you followed us on socials.
You'll find us at the WorldAwaits podcast on Instagram,
Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Feel free to drop us a line athello at the worldawaits.au, or
if enjoying the podcast, pleasegive us a rating, review, or
share it with your friends.
That's a wrap for the WorldAwaits this week.
Click to subscribe anywhere youlisten to your favorite pods.
(33:18):
Thanks for listening.
See you next week.
Welcome to the World Awakes.
Travel tales to inspire yourwanderlust.
Welcome back to the WorldAwakes.
How are you all?
How's your week been, Belle?
SPEAKER_01 (00:13):
Oh, Kirsty, I am still brushing the red dirt from
my hair after an amazing trip inCentral Australia.
I'm so in love with thelandscape.
The region is full ofwildflowers, Uluru, Katajuda,
and they are just asinspirational as ever.
And I am now an expert aterecting rooftop tents.
Bonus.
I can't wait to tell you.
I'm not going to tell youanymore.
(00:33):
I'm going to tell you all aboutit in a week or so, but you can
see some fabulous photos from meand my friend and photographer
Jude Van Dalen because wetraveled together through this
iconic Australian destinationwith our older teens.
So that's what I've been up to,Kirsty.
What about you?
SPEAKER_00 (00:49):
I can't wait to see Jude's photos because she's such
a beautiful photographer.
And so I just I'm dying to seethose.
Well, as this goes to air, Iwould have just landed in
Tahiti.
So you can follow me on Insta atKirsty Wrights, W-R-I-T-S.
And um, I'm sure we'll also popa few photos up on the World
Awaits Institute.
So yeah, but just jumpingstraight in this week, and we
(01:11):
are chatting about theAustralian Travel Industry
Association's latest traveltrends report.
So ACIA is actually, they're thepeat body for um everyone in the
travel industry.
So travel businesses, and theyhave released really regular
travel trends reports fromreally extensive data.
So it's really and it's reallyinteresting.
We thought this one wasparticularly interesting.
SPEAKER_01 (01:33):
Yeah, so this one shows that for the months of
July, there was a significantsurge in US travelers coming
here to Australia and a rise ofnearly 20%, while Australian
visitors in the oppositedirection dropped by nearly 3%
in July.
And that reflects other datathat we've been seeing across
the industry as well.
Yeah, so this one showed for themonths of June and July, there
(01:54):
was a significant surge in UStravelers coming here by more
than 19%.
While Australian visitors to theUS dropped by nearly 3% in July,
and that reflects other datawe've been seeing across the
industry too.
So the report shows that whileAmericans are coming here in
record numbers, we are choosingAsia over the US.
SPEAKER_00 (02:12):
Yeah, and the ACIA CEO Dean Long says the continued
popularity of Asia is led byplaces like Japan.
I mean, we've been talking aboutthis for ages, about obviously
the boom in Japan, China andalso Vietnam.
So it shows a distinct, he saysit shows a distinct preference
for diverse and culturally richtravel that offer really good
value too, because obviouslythey're um from a dollar
(02:35):
perspective, it's much, it'smuch better to go there than it
is to go to the US.
Well, the jump in Americanscoming here, he said, shows
Australia's got really goodappeal as a holiday destination,
and we all know that.
SPEAKER_01 (02:47):
Yeah, I know that was a bit of a no-brainer.
We're fabulous.
So for the year ending July2025, international visitors to
Australia increased by 6%.
Um, and that meant we hadsomething like 8.5 million
visitors.
And then Aussie's going overseasalso boomed, with more than 12
million of us traveling duringthe year, up from uh just over
(03:08):
11 million last year.
And interestingly, one airlineroute it highlighted as seeing
key strong growth was Perth toSydney, which had a significant
increase of more than 11% inseat capacity.
Well, routes like the Gold Coastto Melbourne was down and also
Adelaide to Sydney declined too.
SPEAKER_00 (03:27):
Yeah, and they said that that surge in Aussies going
overseas was to places acrossAsia, like we said before, with
Japan up almost 27%, China andVietnam up around 25%, and
Thailand was pretty strong too.
I wonder, you know, a lot ofthat was to do with the set
jetting and the white lotuseffect, because oh my gosh, then
that's been proven.
And through uh mine hotels whoown Anatara properties where
(03:49):
those um were film locations forwhite lotus have all have
released really significantincreases and and travelers
purely for set jetting reasons.
But Indonesia still remains thenumber one destination, and they
had more than 1.7 milliontravelers.
SPEAKER_01 (04:05):
No, I can't go past a Bali breakaway, can you?
That's just phenomenal how it isbooming.
Um, the record also found thatairlines benefiting from all of
this travel are Jet Star andCafe Pacific, which was recorded
the strongest gains year onyear.
Qantas held steady, although theother major carriers, including
Air New Zealand, Emirates, QatarVirgin, and Malaysian, all had
(04:27):
slight declines.
And I guess that is justreflective of where people are
going.
SPEAKER_00 (04:53):
Oh my god, that sounds like a dream.
But um, yes, what made you wantto interview her and what's her
travel angle bell?
SPEAKER_01 (05:00):
Well, she was actually recommended to me by
our Rome expert Maria Pasquale,who's been on the show a couple
of times.
And Maria knows a good storywhen she hears it, because
Brianna is on this mission todemocratize classical music and
specifically opera, and to useit to create cultural
connections with children fromdifferent backgrounds.
So she spends at least a coupleof months every year in Central
(05:21):
Africa singing and bringingmusic to children.
So I'm going to chat to herabout this double life, which is
all connected by music.
So take a listen.
Rihanna, welcome to the worldawaits.
It's so great to have you on.
SPEAKER_02 (05:35):
Thank you so much.
I'm so happy to be here.
SPEAKER_01 (05:37):
Now, um, by here, I want to define where you are
actually at the moment.
Are you in Rome or are you inthe world's most livable city,
which apparently is a medievalhilltop town called Toddy?
So where are you?
SPEAKER_02 (05:51):
So right now I'm in Rome.
I've just spent two weeks inToddy, just finished a big
project there.
Um, but yeah, I'm based in Romeand I'm lucky enough to call
Toddy my second home, which is,like you said, this fairy tale
medieval town on top of a hillthat is full of Australians.
SPEAKER_01 (06:08):
That's so bizarre.
What um well, I know we're gonnawe're going to talk about you
and and what you do and all ofthat sort of thing.
But for okay, Toddy, I want toknow why is this tiny little
town, I mean, the population isis minuscule.
Why is that so um full ofAustralians?
SPEAKER_02 (06:25):
Well, I know just from my own personal story that
uh my parents have had a housethere for 18 years, and they
found Toddy because there was anarticle in a newspaper in
Melbourne where I'm originallyfrom that said Toddy, the most
livable city in the world.
And so kind of put Toddy on theMac, I guess, in Australia.
Um, the same thing happened inAmerica as well.
So there's quite a fewAmericans, but I have to say we
(06:47):
have a beautiful Australiancommunity, and you know, I've I
organise a lot of events andthey're all so supportive.
And we have the Australianambassador come up a lot, both
for the Holy See and the mainembassy in Italy.
And it's just, yeah, it's awonderful place, really.
SPEAKER_01 (07:03):
Well, um, and so now um tell us your relationship
with Toddy and what makes it sowonderful.
What is this project you've beenworking on there?
SPEAKER_02 (07:14):
So I am actually an Australian opera singer, and I
moved away from Australia rightafter I finished my university
degree.
I moved to London, but I alwayshad, I'd always been connected
to Toddy.
My parents, when they bought thehouse, I go over and spend a
week there a year with them ortwo weeks, and it really was
(07:35):
where my love of opera reallydeveloped because you know, we
don't have such a history ofopera in Australia.
And so when I'd been told that Ihad this operatic potential, I
kind of thought, what is that?
Because I don't come from amusical family either.
But because of Toddy, I wasjust, you know, it it became
(07:55):
this passion of mine becauseit's so beautiful there.
There's so much history.
We have an opera house that is ajewel.
There's 500 seats, it's like amini-less scala.
And yeah, I just fell in lovewith the culture, with Italy,
with everything about it.
And so I felt like I really owedToddy and its community a lot
for my journey and my career.
(08:16):
So a few years ago, I'd uhestablished this organization
called Opera Affinity.
And at first I established it inthe UK because I was based there
for many years.
And now we also have anorganization, an association in
Umbria, in Italy, which is whereToddy is in that region.
And I try to make opera andclassical music more accessible,
(08:38):
bring it to the community, bringit into the streets.
We do flash mobs, we have thehighest level of artistry going
on in all these amazinglocations, piazzas.
There's a beautiful littletheatre, and then we do things
in the bigger theatre, andbasically we just have the whole
town alive with classical musicand opera.
SPEAKER_01 (08:57):
Just it sounds just incredible.
I mean, how I've got yourrelationship with how you you
found Toddy, but then let's justbacktrack a bit.
You're from Melbourne.
You studied, um, you studiedopera here in Australia, and
then and then you just stretchedyour wings and and with that
connection in Toddy, this isyou've got this this beautiful
bass there.
(09:17):
Tell us a bit about yourday-to-day life.
I mean, Toddy is halfway betweenalmost sort of roughly halfway
between Florence and Rome,really, isn't it?
And Rome is your actual home.
I mean, if you're going to singopera, I cannot think of a
better city to be located.
I couldn't agree more.
SPEAKER_02 (09:34):
It is magic.
And everyone that I uh, becausethere are actually a lot of
Australians here too, but itreally holds a special place in
everybody's heart that liveshere.
You know, it's it's just it'sfull of wonder and everything
about it.
You know, you can be having abad day with Italian
bureaucracy, because that's oneof the maybe less so positive
things about Italy.
(09:55):
But you go out for a walk andyou turn to your right, and the
Colosseum's here, and the RomanForum is there, and there's
just, it is just, it's, and thesunsets and the food and the
people and the weather.
And I I just I have to pinchmyself sometimes.
And and I say to my friends thathave been here for a long time,
like Maria Pasquale, who we haveas a mutual friend, do you ever,
(10:19):
do you ever lose that wonder ofthe city?
And no, you don't, because it isit is an incredible place to
live.
SPEAKER_01 (10:26):
Oh, you are so uh I don't know.
I'm feeling it, you know.
Melbourne is talking aboutsprinter, like we've got a
little spring flush going on,but apparently it's really hot
in Rome at the moment, andeverybody's just having that
still that beautiful continualsummer.
Um, as well as as Toddy,population 17,000, can I say,
and and it has very famouspeople actually living there.
(10:49):
I think that um Jane Turner, Ithink he's the creator of Happen
Kidney's Day series, isn't she?
SPEAKER_02 (10:55):
Well, she's I think they have a place in Cortona,
which is just a little bit northup, but there are lots of
Australians that live in Toddythat really, you know, it's
bring this wonderful Australianflair, and we have great, a
great community, great dinners,great events.
So there is definitely somevery, very wonderful Australians
(11:16):
that live there.
SPEAKER_01 (11:18):
If I if I was to visit um during the time, I
mean, Opera Affinity is yourproject that you've been working
on there.
Um, in it's just finished itssecond year now.
Um the big question is, is ithappening next year?
It is.
SPEAKER_02 (11:32):
So we literally just packed up the theatre yesterday
morning and I drove back down tohome because I was missing it so
much.
And um, we're already in talkswith other cities close by.
I think not only will it happenin Toddy, but we're looking at
doing things in Venice inbeautiful little towns in the
surrounding areas around Umbria.
So I'm pretty excited.
(11:53):
It was so successful this year.
The concerts were wonderful.
Some of the community came.
We had, I think, eight concertsin one week, and some of the
community came to every singleconcert.
So it was just so well received.
I was over the moon.
I had an incredible team.
We have some amazing sponsors.
There's a young Americangentleman who's bought a really
(12:14):
large convent just outside ofToddy.
And so we're thinking aboutbuilding an amphitheater there
and, you know, really, I don'tknow, Italy has this kind of
this it makes you dream, itmakes you inspire to do,
especially us foreigners,because we can't believe we're
lucky enough to be able to callit home.
And so I think we really we havebig dreams for how we can
(12:35):
expand, what we can do, how wecan make opera more accessible
for everybody and give everybodythat comes to visit that dream
of what you expect in Italy: great food, beautiful music, (12:42):
undefined
opera, and great wine.
SPEAKER_01 (12:48):
What a perfect combination.
And I love the idea that you'retalking about accessibility
because, you know, I think umit's seen as such a such a
highbrow art form, particularlyin Australia, you know, um, and
inaccessible and difficult to toappreciate.
And yet you're talking about, Imean, flashmogs in the street
singing opera.
(13:09):
I mean, that's that'sphenomenal.
And and having it notnecessarily, yes, there are
opera houses and some of thegrand houses in in Europe are to
be found in Italy, but you'retalking about that
democratization of opera,really, aren't you?
And that's what makes it soexciting.
SPEAKER_02 (13:25):
Absolutely.
And I love seeing people's facesor the feedback that I've got
even in the last 24 hours fromall these older gentlemen that,
you know, love footy and don'treally like that opera scene, or
thought that they didn't.
And they've written me messagesand said, Brianna, I'm so far
from the crowd that usually goesto the opera, but I have to say
(13:46):
that you've won me over.
And it's it makes me so happybecause I think it does have
that kind of stereotype thatit's only for these, you know,
it's only highbrow and it's not.
It can make people reallyexcited.
And so all my concerts that I doare just over an hour long.
And they're all the you know,the jewels of the opera
(14:06):
repertoire, and we really tryand bring it back to the streets
and try and get young peopleinvolved and excited about it.
And I think that's my the goalof why I started my organization
in the first place.
So it's I'm very happy.
SPEAKER_01 (14:20):
Well, I mean, this the organization sounds amazing.
I kind of like the fact that Idon't have to like opera, I
don't have to commit to a sortof ringing cycle nine hour, you
know, nine hour sittings at atime.
Um, tell us a bit about yourorganization, and um, this
brings us to the second half ofthis conversation, where it has
taken you.
SPEAKER_02 (14:39):
So actually, it was founded.
Well, it started from an ideathat I had.
My dad had moved to Kenya.
My brother had married a Kenyanwoman, and my dad had gone over
to meet the family, fallen inlove with the country and all
its people, and moved there.
And I was working at an operahouse in Germany at the time in
Kassel, and I wanted to visit mydad, but I don't have that
(15:01):
personality that's allowed toswitch off that easily.
And so I thought rather thanjust go and have a holiday, he
told me so many things about howincredible the people were and
how hard the life is there forsome of them.
And I'd work when I was workingin Germany, I saw we had they
had to do so much with youth, somuch with young people in opera.
(15:22):
And I kind of had thisinspiration that maybe I could
go over and do some music with,you know, in these marginalized
areas.
So I'd mentioned it to a few ofthe orchestra, and before I know
it, we had a whole group of usthat were heading over to Kenya.
I developed these workshops thatintroduced opera and classical
music in a really accessible,fun way.
(15:42):
And I met this wonderful Irishnun called Sister Mary Colleen,
who's educated over 900,000 kidssince she first moved to the
slum areas in Nairobi.
And we worked with 6,000 kids onthe first trip.
We had them up conducting usand, you know, working with
classical music, learningchoruses.
(16:02):
They prepared their traditionalmusic, and my life just changed.
And it's really where OperaAffinity was born because I saw
that music has this incrediblepower to unite people with
different cultures, religions,and it's really a vehicle of,
you know, it inspires them.
We've now brought over Kenyansfrom these areas to sing with me
at the Vatican.
(16:23):
We just had two Kenyan singerscome over for the festival, and
it was incredible.
They actually performed one oftheir folk songs on stage at the
opera house with a local TudinTuderta uh guitarist and an
Italian pianist.
And so, you know, we had thiscross-cultural mix in the most
(16:43):
beautiful opera house, I think,in Umbria.
And it was just so wellreceived.
And that's what music does.
It brings us together.
We're able to tell a story andhave a universal language.
So that's where Opera Finity wasborn, and now it's just
expanded, and it's really anexciting, exciting process that
I'm I'm really looking forwardto seeing where it takes me.
SPEAKER_01 (17:06):
Oh, amazing.
I mean, that I I guess you'dsort of answer the question that
that had been um in my mindsince we first started talking
about this interview, which wasum, you know, Kenya has such a
rich musical tradition, andyou've got the traditions of
Italy, um, how they cametogether.
So, I mean, that is just such anexciting um melding of the two
(17:28):
of the two cultures and the twomusical traditions.
And I think um you're probably II guess as you say, you're
probably that that ilk thatnever turn never switches off.
You're always working in thebackground and and finding some
incredible talent.
So while you're doing that, youare traveling all through Kenya
as well, aren't you?
SPEAKER_02 (17:48):
I am, yes.
And I'm falling more and more inlove with the country, just like
I have been with Italy everytime I visit a new place.
So I, yeah, I've traveled.
I first started in Nairobi, andthen my dad was up north in a
place called Isiolo, and we dida lot of work there.
It was it's very remote, and sowe were able to go into these
communities that had never heardmusic like that before and work
(18:10):
in welfare centres, which wasquite heavy the first time, but
the children responded so wellto the musical workshops that it
was really it was an incredibleexperience.
SPEAKER_01 (18:21):
But yeah, since then Yeah, sorry, you you were sorry,
you were actually bringingsinging opera to those children.
Is that right?
Yeah, yeah, we were.
SPEAKER_02 (18:31):
And it was the first time they were hearing it.
And I think that I'm almostaddicted to seeing their little
faces the first time that they,you know, because I'm quite
petite and you know operasingers can be really loud.
And so seeing them, their faceslight up when they hear that
sound and the shock and the joyand the surprise that they're
able to do.
And then also when I walk awayhearing them try to imitate me,
(18:53):
it's just it's it's gorgeous.
And so I, you know, I'm quiteyeah, it's a wonderful
experience.
And then hearing their music,going into these remote areas,
seeing the, you know, thescenery, the national parks, the
beaches that that Kenya has.
It's so rich with its cultureand its landscapes.
It's it's a beautiful place.
SPEAKER_01 (19:13):
It's funny because we tend to think of it as a
safari destination, and that uhand that is the reason you go
there.
Um, but I mean, tell us a littlemore about those.
It's either safari or, you know,the news on you know, on the
travel side, and then the newsside is always, you know,
world's biggest slums and stufflike that.
So it's yeah, it either has, youknow, this fantasy and then or
(19:36):
you know, a really grim titlesreality.
So, I mean, what are yourexperiences?
If you were to recommendsomebody you've got to go to
Kenya, where would you besending me?
SPEAKER_02 (19:45):
So I was the same as you.
And when uh my dad had movedthere, and then he bought this
beach house, I thought there'sno beaches in Kenya.
And I was so wrong, and I'm gladthat I was wrong because it's
some of the most incrediblebeaches that I've ever seen.
My dad bought a house inMalindi, but I've done a lot of
travel up and down the coast,Khalifi and Watamu, and the
(20:06):
beaches are just wonderful.
They're those crystal bluewaters and the white sands, and
I think my favorite part aboutKenya, and every single person
says this, is the people.
They're intelligent and kind andhardworking and so happy.
So putting that together withthe Masaimara National Park and
then these incredible whitesand, blue water beaches, you
(20:30):
just have this destinationthat's just in an incredible
place.
And I urge everybody to go andcheck it out.
And this I just was thererecently and went to the Lake
District for the first time.
So we went up to Lake Naivashaand it was so beautiful.
You just you're just cruising onthe along Lake Naivasha, and
there's hippos everywhere aroundyou and beautiful bird life and
(20:52):
islands full of free roaminganimals.
And so it is it is pretty, it'san incredible place.
SPEAKER_01 (20:59):
That's amazing because the south is is where
traditionally the tourism hasgone, isn't it?
Into the south and then a littleover to Mombasa as well.
Um, but you're going up, you'regoing up north.
Is it is it easy, is it easy totravel through those areas?
SPEAKER_02 (21:15):
Yes, I don't uh we usually just hire uh drivers and
they drive us up and take useverywhere.
Everything is is quiteaffordable.
So, you know, it's very easy.
And I find I have never had anyissues with with anywhere that
I've gone.
My brother is based up at MountKenya, um, so in Nukuru.
(21:36):
So it's so beautiful there aswell.
It's just, yeah, it's amazing,all of it.
Sorry, Nanuki, not Nakuru.
SPEAKER_01 (21:43):
So yeah.
This was a theme.
Is this with the sea of pinkflamingos everywhere?
SPEAKER_02 (21:49):
Is that the sort of Nakuru?
Which is also incredible.
So then we've got another placeto add to the list.
But Nanuki is at the foot ofMount Kenya, so you it's you've
got the background of thisincredible mountain with the ice
cap on top that some veryadventurous people climb, but
there is just so much to see.
The food scene's amazing.
(22:09):
It's it's a beautiful place.
What sort of food would you beeating there?
It's certainly every time I goback, there are more amazing
restaurants opening up.
It's it's kind of like itreminds me of Melbourne in the
multiculturalism.
So there's just it's a meltingpot of everything.
But they have wonderful, youknow, traditional African food,
(22:29):
but then they have Italianrestaurants, of course, and just
anything you could imagine theyhave.
And the restaurants arewonderful.
And yeah, especially in even inthese little places, it's just
full of local restaurants andfresh produce.
So yeah, you I won't starve.
SPEAKER_01 (22:49):
I won't starve.
I think two things.
I wouldn't starve and probablywouldn't need a child in if I'm
coming from Rome.
But if you had to recommend uh atraditional Kenyan dish for me,
what would you suggest from themenu?
SPEAKER_02 (23:02):
They have wonderful, these wonderful, I don't
actually know what the name is,but it's wonderful meat dishes
with their um local bread, andyou actually eat with your hands
and scoop it up, which was a bitdaunting at the beginning, but
it was it is so delicious.
So I highly recommend all ofthe, you know, the local dishes
are incredible.
SPEAKER_01 (23:21):
So back to Opera Affinity and its work in Kenya
and in and in Italy and otherparts of Europe as well, because
you're really spreading yourwings.
What are your plans for thefuture and can people get
involved in it?
Or, you know, can they can theyplan their travel around the
festival in any way?
SPEAKER_02 (23:41):
Absolutely.
I think we just finished twodays ago and we're already
working as a team to look at thenext events, the next projects.
We're really trying to bring inall that work that I do.
We're expanding and looking atgoing to Tanzania and Uganda
next and trying to find youngand nurture young talent, give
them opportunities to havesponsorships around Europe and
(24:01):
shine a light, give them aninternational platform.
So there's lots you can do.
You can visit our website andjust and all of our social
medias and just watch forupdates because we're continuing
to expand and grow and put onmore events and hopefully work
in more parts of Italy, becauseI think Italy is such a jewel
and it's such a great backdropto then use it as this place
(24:24):
where you know you can bring inpeople from all over the world
and really use music as a way tobring us all together.
SPEAKER_01 (24:33):
Yeah, absolutely.
And um the the festival for nextyear, if I was to book travel,
when should I be planning tovisit Torre?
SPEAKER_02 (24:42):
Well, I have to say September is my favorite month
in in Italy because it's not toohot and it's you know these
balmy nights.
And so I we are hoping to keepit.
It's been this is the secondedition this year, and both
times were in September.
So I would say September is isthe month.
SPEAKER_01 (25:00):
And where would you stay nearby?
I mean, that convent soundsfantastic.
Whoever buys a convent, um, Ireally need to meet people at
Shop for Italian convents.
But what sort of accommodationis in this gorgeous medieval
hilltop town?
SPEAKER_02 (25:14):
So, because of the festival, we've done lots of
research, and there is justthere's bed and breakfasts,
agriturismos, there arebeautiful hotels.
Fendi has a hotel nearby.
I think there's a Sixth Censusthat's about to open.
So I Umbria is incrediblebecause it's still kind of very
rustic and untouched, and youreally get a sense of what Italy
(25:35):
was like back then.
It's medieval town on top ofmedieval town that just is it's
it's like a dream.
And I think that's what all theAustralians say.
They couldn't have imagined up amore beautiful town.
So I think there's a lot moreopening, but there are already
beautiful hotels in the centre,in the surroundings, and then
just in the region of Umbriaitself.
(25:56):
So there are no, you know, theywill have no problem finding
something incredible to stay in.
SPEAKER_01 (26:02):
Absolutely.
So September for next year forthe next opera affinity.
That sounds like a great plan.
I am going to ask you the finalquestion, which we ask all our
guests about your most bizarrecaval experience.
SPEAKER_02 (26:15):
Yes.
So I had a good think of this,and and the one that stands out
the most is that I was workingwith a wonderful group of
friends on one of my workshopsin Kenya, and we were absolutely
exhausted afterwards.
And usually after we finish,we'll go to my parents' beach
house in Malindi.
So for some reason, I waswalking ahead of the girls, and
(26:37):
I had my ticket, and I askedsomeone, is this the plane to
Malindi?
And they said no, and ushered meforward to another plane.
And I got on, sat in my seat,they checked my ticket, and I
popped my passport wallet,because I actually have a
British and Australian passportin the front, put down my bag
and finally took a breath andrelaxed and sat back.
And then there was anannouncement over the plane.
(26:59):
If anyone isn't going toElderett, please get off the
plane now.
And I nearly had an absoluteheart attack and put up my hand
and said, Me, me, I'm not going.
I'm not going, I'm going toMalindi.
And they ushered me off theplane.
And thank goodness the otherplane hadn't left yet.
Um, and they've just put me intoany seat.
Um, off I went to Malindi andrelaxed, got, you know, relaxed
(27:22):
and had a few days, was on thebeach.
And then um the day before I wasleaving, my mum said, Oh, can
you give me your passport sothat I can check you in?
And I started looking for mypassport.
And I think half an hour wentby, and then I suddenly just
looked up at the heavens andsaid, No.
And then I realized that I'dleft my two passports in the
(27:43):
front pocket of the plane thatwas going to some place that I'd
never even heard of before.
So it's a very long story of howeverything happened, that I got
them back.
So it was a happy ending.
But um, yeah, it was it wasquite traumatic, I have to say.
And I always check no mattereven if I, you know, have a
(28:03):
stressful moment like that, Itake a second to breathe and
check that I always have mysword on my wallet back in my
handbag.
SPEAKER_01 (28:12):
Oh, that is my worst nightmare, also being on the
plane that's going somewhereelse because you you just
outsource that to somebody totell you where you're supposed
to be.
That is terrifying, losing notone of those great cars.
SPEAKER_02 (28:23):
I know, but they're so relaxed and so, which I love
on one hand, but then yes, itcan be a bit stressful because
they're so easygoing and happyall the time.
And yeah, that that wasn't ahappy moment for me.
SPEAKER_01 (28:37):
Oh, Brianna, it's so good to talk to you.
Um, thank you for dialing infrom Rome today.
I really appreciate your time,especially as you literally just
taking your first breaths afterwhat sounds like an incredibly
successful um uh opera festivalfor you in this in this
beautiful part of Umbria.
So we're going to put all thoselinks in the show notes for the
(28:57):
socials where people can followyou, where they can see the work
that you're doing in Italy, inother parts of Europe, and in
Kenya as well.
And we can watch your progressas this fantastic uh connector
through music brings um culturalconnection because cultural
connection brings understanding.
And I think really the worldneeds some of that at the
moment, don't they?
SPEAKER_02 (29:18):
I think so too.
That's so wonderfully said, andit's been such a joy talking to
you.
Thank you so much for your time.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (29:27):
I love hearing how Brianna uses music to create
connection across continents.
So beautiful.
And if you'd like to learn moreabout Brianna, the Opera Finity
Charity and the festival inToddy Essentially, visit her
website BriannaSoprano.com.
(29:52):
Our tip this week is about howto save hundreds or thousands of
dollars when you travel, and whodoesn't want to do that?
Um, so some Cross TravelInsurance's most recent future
of travel report found that 76%of Aussies claimed that travel
insurance is a high priority,but only 41% had the same
sentiment when it came tobooking domestic.
(30:13):
And I get that, guess that makessense because so many people
don't book uh insurance fordomestic travel.
SPEAKER_01 (30:19):
Yeah, absolutely.
So Jess Strange from SouthernCross Travel Insurance said
there's a lot of commentary outthere that domestic travel
insurance doesn't stack up.
And many of us believe that wedon't need insurance when we're
traveling locally because we'recovered under Medicare.
However, um, many travelersdon't take into account the
amount of money that they maylose having to cancel a trick
due to, say, an unexpectedmedical situation.
SPEAKER_00 (30:42):
Yeah, and they've got a good example.
So they had one case where afamily had to, of four, had to
cancel their trip because of abad case of gastro, and they
were able to claim back morethan$28,000 worth of expensive.
Geez.
And that included a trip on theIndo-Pacific Railway, a cruise
at Margaret Rover, and a visitto Rotten's.
Belle's laughing her head offbecause of the Gastro family.
(31:03):
That's but you know what?
They only got this back becausethey'd taken out domestic travel
insurance.
So it proves the proves thereason.
And if you've got an entirefamily with gastro, you do not
want to be going on a railway ora cruise.
SPEAKER_01 (31:19):
I just I just I'm only laughing because I'm
thinking, oh my gosh, how badwas that gastro?
Could you imagine?
Yeah, as you say, could youimagine being in those tiny
little toilets in the train andyou're like chik-chik
chick-chik-chik-chick.
Although, having said that, as abackpacker in my in my not so
distant youth, I've dealt thatplenty of times, but I wasn't
(31:40):
claiming back on my travelinsurance.
SPEAKER_00 (31:42):
Nothing worse than being sick.
Oh my god, with gastro or justbeing sick anywhere when you're
traveling.
It's just there's nothing worse.
I mean, you know, it's badenough having seasickness on a
on a cruise.
That's happened to me before,but yes.
SPEAKER_01 (31:55):
I know.
Well, I mean, they're on they'reon a railway, they're on a
cruise, they're um on an island.
Yeah, that's not where you wantto have when you want to have
your um live your gastro daysout.
Sorry, I'm so sorry.
I'm just laughing a lot because,you know, it's not a broken leg,
right?
So Southern Cross, there's giventhe high cost of uh domestic
flights and the accommodation inAustralia, and particularly, I
(32:15):
mean, they were all veryhigh-end.
They were they were big ticketitems.
The average cost of domesticclaims can sometimes exceed the
average claim cost forinternational trips.
And the moral moral of thestory, they say, is it's just
not worth taking the risk tolose hundreds or even thousands
of dollars out of pocket whenyou're traveling domestically.
SPEAKER_00 (32:35):
Next week, I'm chatting to founder and managing
director of Take Off Go, IvonaShinyaska, who is an expert in
African safaris and she'svisited Africa close to 40
times.
We discuss why Africa is such adeeply emotional experience, the
best places to go to ensureyou're doing right by the
wildlife, and how you can choosethe right safari for you.
SPEAKER_01 (32:57):
And we'd love it if you followed us on socials.
You'll find us at the WorldAwaits podcast on Instagram,
Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Feel free to drop us a line athello at the worldawaits.au, or
if enjoying the podcast, pleasegive us a rating, review, or
share it with your friends.
That's a wrap for the WorldAwaits this week.
Click to subscribe anywhere youlisten to your favorite pods.
(33:18):
Thanks for listening.
See you next week.
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