2007 Opera School Attracts Aspiring Talents
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Warming up for summer: New Zealand Opera School Director, Donald Trott, conducts vocal warm-ups of three aspiring young
opera singers selected to attend the 2007 New Zealand Opera School in Wanganui (3-14 January 2007), from left: Brendan
Casey, Rachelle Pike and Laurence Walls. Photo: Neil Mackenzie
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Resounding success: Young opera singers (from left) Brendan Casey, Rachelle Pike and Laurence Walls serenade New Zealand
Opera School Director, Donald Trott. The three singers will join 23 other aspiring young opera performers at the New
Zealand Opera School in Wanganui from 3-14 January 2007, which includes recitals and masterclasses open to the public.
Photo: Neil Mackenzie
ISSUED BY THE NEW ZEALAND OPERA SCHOOL TRUST
MEDIA RELEASE
6 November 2006
2007 OPERA SCHOOL ATTRACTS ASPIRING TALENTS
Twenty six of New Zealand’s aspiring young opera singers will be converging on Wanganui in early January for the 12th
annual New Zealand Opera School. Organised by the New Zealand Opera School Trust, the residential school runs from
Wednesday 3 January to Sunday 14 January 2007 at Wanganui Collegiate. It includes Masterclasses and Recitals which are
open to the public, providing the chance to hear some of our most promising opera talents on the concert platform.
The New Zealand Opera School enables talented young singers the opportunity work closely with opera professionals,
including the three principal tutors: international Vocal Consultant and expert Paul Farrington, and highly respected
New Zealand opera singers Margaret Medlyn and Barry Mora. Other coaches include Dr Greg Neil, Claire Caldwell, Iola
Shelley, Francis Cowan and Steven Anthony Whiting. The 2007 School will also see burgeoning New Zealand mezzo, Wendy
Dawn Thompson – a finalist in the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in 2005 - as a guest speaker.
As well as from individual voice tuition, the school offers presentation and stagecraft techniques, language workshops
and a daily fitness programme. The students are selected by application and most are completing tertiary music studies
with intentions of pursuing professional opera careers. This year’s students come from as far south as Christchurch and
Blenheim, as well as from Te Awamutu, Hamilton, Wellington and Auckland.
Highlights of the School include intensive individual and group tuition classes in vocal technique each day and two
evening Masterclasses for the public to observe the creative process in progress. As part of Wanganui Opera Week
activities, the public can hear the students perform at local cafes and restaurants around Wanganui; at a lunchtime
concert at the Sarjeant Art Galley; and at a chapel service dedicated “to music” in the Wanganui Collegiate Chapel. The
School culminates in a public concert on Saturday 13 January at the Royal Wanganui Opera House, where the students
showcase the music studied over duration of the School.
“The New Zealand Opera School allows students to concentrate indepth on key aspects of opera performing including voice
technique, stagecraft, personal presentation as well as lifestyle choices such as overall wellbeing and the importance
of maintaining a regular fitness regime –vital for the stamina of performance,” says Donald Trott, Director of the New
Zealand Opera School.
“For these young singers to have the experience to work so closely and intensely with professional opera practitioners,
who all have international careers and reputations, is an opportunity not readily available elsewhere in New Zealand.
It’s something that the students say does make a difference to their development and future aspirations. There is so
much for them to learn from mixing with top opera professionals and experts, so they can truly be inspired and work at
their craft. It’s also great that the public can experience the process, not just the finished product.”
Now into its 12th year, the 2007 New Zealand Opera School is unique in that it is the only residential opera school in
New Zealand offering an intensive programme for young singers. Over the years a “who’s who” of young New Zealand opera
singers including Simon O’Neill, Carmel Carroll, Madeleine Pierard, Zan McKendree-Wright, Kristen Darragh and Philllip
Rhodes, have attended the school. Since its inception, the School has received support from Creative New Zealand and the
New Zealand Community Trust, along with a number of private individuals and organizations including The NBR New Zealand
Opera. In 2007, the NZ-UK Link Foundation will be assisting with Paul Farrington’s travel to the School together with
Creative New Zealand.
“Over the years it’s been wonderful to watch the development of the School and most importantly the careers of the
enthusiastic, young singers who mature into talented professionals,” says Mr Trott. “This also fosters the growth of
opera in New Zealand by nurturing the talents of our promising young singers – who are, after all, the opera
professionals of tomorrow.”
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The 2007 New Zealand Opera School
Wanganui Collegiate School, Wanganui
3-14 January 2007
Public Programme
Masterclasses conducted by Paul Farrington and Margaret Medlyn, and featuring students from the 2007 New Zealand Opera
School.
Saturday 6 January 2007, 7.30pm; and Tuesday 9 January 2007, 7.30pm
Prince Edward Auditorium, Wanganui Collegiate School
Cost: $10.00 (door sales)
“To Music” –a one-hour service dedicated to music
Sunday 7 January 2007, 11.30am
Wanganui Collegiate Chapel
Koha
Recital by Students of the 2007 New Zealand Opera School
Monday 8 January 2007, 12.30pm
Sargeant Art Gallery
Cost: $25.00 (includes a light lunch)
Final Concert Recital by Students of the 2007 New Zealand Opera School
Saturday 13 January 2007, 7.30pm
Royal Wanganui Opera House
Cost: $25.00 (concessions available)
Bookings at Royal Wangaui Opera House – Tel (06) 349 0511
ENDS