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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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Geoffrey Parsons

1972
Michael Shannon

pastel on paper (image: 69.5 cm x 52.0 cm)

Geoffrey Parsons AO (1930-1999) was a concert accompanist. He studied at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music, settled in London in 1950 and was invited to accompany the lieder singer Gerhard Hüsch in 1955. He soon became known internationally as the accompanist par excellence. Singers with whom he worked include Peter Dawson, Victoria de los Angeles, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Ruggiero Ricci and Jessye Norman. Parsons made a great number of recordings, and numerous concert tours of Australia for the ABC.

Michael Shannon tended to produce works in series. A collection of his early portrait drawings was amongst the first acquisitions of the National Portrait Gallery.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Les Rowe 1998
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
© Estate of Michael Shannon

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Michael Shannon (age 45 in 1972)

Geoffrey Parsons AO (age 42 in 1972)

Subject professions

Performing arts

Donated by

Les Rowe (2 portraits)

Related portraits

1. Self portrait, 1981. All Michael Shannon.
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency