Though Australian songstress Tina Arena makes her home in France nowadays, she returns to Brisbane this week for two performances at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre. She has collaborated with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra to reinterpret some of her biggest hits as well as some of her personal favourites. TOM caught up with Arena via e-mail with Heidi Maier asking the questions.

TOM: A series of collaborative shows with full orchestras is a bold artistic move – was this your own idea or were you approached with the idea? How are you feeling about performing in this format?

Tina Arena: My desire to work with orchestras dates back to the period in which I recorded my third studio record, Just Me, in 2002 and 2003. From 2007, through my collaboration with Melbourne producer Tim Woods, the dream became a reality. Performing in this configuration is truly magical.

TOM: You’ve lived abroad now for many years. How different is life in Europe to life in Australia? Do you miss Australia and, if so, what do you miss?

Tina Arena: Life is obviously different – cultural differences, along with the age of the European continent, means that traditions are fundamental. I enjoy the lightness of Australia, although the carefree sensibility may now have escaped us!

TOM: Given that you’ll be backed by a full orchestra, can fans expect some of your songs to be performed in ways that are dramatically different from the recorded versions? And are there any songs that you’re especially looking forward to performing in this setting? If so, which songs, and why?

Tina Arena: Audiences enjoy a sense of coherency. If I was to again change the arrangements from the records they know, I would be taking a silly risk! There are plenty of musical surprises that I can’t wait to sing. I can’t give the set-list away like that!

TOM: Your career has involved so much – recording and performing pop music, performing onstage in cabaret and theatrical settings and now performing with orchestras. Is there anything that you’ve yet to do that you’ve long dreamed of doing, musically speaking?

Tina Arena: Yes, there are still desires to explore. Perhaps a one-woman show!

TOM: Have you been writing and/or recording a new studio album? If so, what sort of forms have the songs been taking? Can fans expect your next album to differ markedly from previous releases?

Tina Arena: Of course. The next record is naturally different from previous ones. I’ve purposely taken time because it’s just not worth rushing it, I believe. It’s important that the purpose is understood by the listeners.

TOM: What’s your favourite thing about performing live in Australia? Is there something uniquely different and rewarding about performing to audiences in your home country? And, if so, what is that? How does it differ from, say, performing in France or elsewhere in Europe?

Tina Arena: The difference performing at home is that there’s a history. Performing elsewhere is equally as exciting because, before you know it, you’ve created a story somewhere else. That, too, is history!

Tina Arena performs with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra at QPAC on Thursday July 5 and Friday July 6. Tickets available online at http://www.qtix.com.au