Opera School Warms Up In Wanganui

3 January 2007

Opera School Warms Up In Wanganui

An international singing trouble-shooter and two leading New Zealand opera singers are principal tutors at the 12th New Zealand Opera School which begins in Wanganui today. Twenty-six young aspiring opera singers from around the country will attend the 10-day residential School (3-13 January) to immerse themselves in their artform and refine their vocal and stagecraft techniques under the expert eye of opera professionals. The commencement of the School also marks the start of Wanganui Opera Week where the public have the opportunity to attend concerts and Masterclasses presented at venues around Wanganui [subs: programme follows].

Paul Farrington, a UK-based internationally renowned vocal clinician, joins New Zealand soprano Margaret Medlyn and, now retired, bass-baritone Barry Mora to tutor the singers. Now into its 12th year, the School is unique in that it is the only residential opera school in New Zealand offering an intensive programme for young singers.

During the School each student receives individual and group vocal tuition as well as the opportunity to work with some of New Zealand’s foremost repetiteurs. Stagecraft techniques and a fitness and well-being programme are also part of the School’s daily schedule. Burgeoning New Zealand mezzo, Wendy-Dawn Thompson – a finalist in the prestigious Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in 2005 – will also attend the first week of this year’s School as a guest speaker. Now based in London she will offer insights into studying and building an opera career overseas as a young singer.

Wanganui Opera Week’s programme allows the public to get a taste of opera and hear some of our top young singers perform in concerts and Masterclasses around the city. The two popular public Masterclasses led by Paul Farrington allow the audience to observe the creative process in progress. Concerts include performances in local cafes and restaurants; a lunchtime recital at the Sarjeant Art Gallery and a chapel service dedicated “to music” in 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 the duration of the School.

This year’s 26 students come from Christchurch, Blenheim, Te Awamutu, Hamilton, Wellington and Auckland. According to New Zealand Opera School Director and founder, Donald Trott, the calibre and number of young singers applying to attend the School is growing every year.

“For young opera singers to have the experience to work so closely and intensively with experts who all have established international opera careers and reputations, is an opportunity not readily available elsewhere in New Zealand,” he says. “It’s something that previous students say does make a difference to their development and future aspirations. They glean so much from immersing themselves in this environment for an extended period of time, so they can truly be inspired and work at their craft. And it’s also wonderful that the public get the chance to experience the process too through the two public Masterclasses, as well as the finished product!”

Over the years a “who’s who” of young New Zealand opera singers have attended the School. Names include Simon O’Neill, Carmel Carroll, Madeleine Pierard, Zan McKendree-Wright, Kristen Darragh and Phillip Rhodes.

Renowned international New Zealand soprano, Margaret Medlyn, says she wishes that a School of this standing existed when she was starting out in her opera career.

“This School provides a valuable tool-box for these young singers to take away with them and use as they develop their careers,” she says. “It’s full of ideas and inspiration alongside the necessary and important techniques which are the mainstay of their craft. However the School goes further because it also provides a holistic-based approach to lifestyle choices that’s so important to overall well-being and stamina for any performance-based career. It provides a melting pot where these young performers meet and socialize with their peers, repetituers and experienced teachers, all of which form important networks for them in the future.”

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 and the NZ-UK Link Foundation.

ENDS

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