A Day Of Opera At Te Papa

August 21, 2002

A Day Of Opera At Te Papa

On Sunday 25 August, The NBR New Zealand Opera are coming to Te Papa for a day of performances and workshops. Visitors will have a rare opportunity to participate, go behind-the-scenes, and see the preparation that goes into staging an opera, as well as enjoy rehearsals and performances.

The day begins with demonstrations of wig and make-up application by professional opera stylists on the 2002 Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists. Visitors can watch a singer transformed into an opera star, and enjoy seeing the different characters and personalities that emerge. Selected children will be given an opportunity to be "made-up" and photographed with the Emerging Artists.

Under the guidance of Bruce Greenfield from The NBR New Zealand Opera's Music Department, the Emerging Artists will demonstrate vocal warm-ups, with some help from the audience. An opportunity to "ummm" and "aaah" with the professionals!

This is followed by the Emerging Artists performance of the mini-opera, Figaro - here, there and everywhere. Based on Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, this condensed version features the same themes and much-loved music presented in 55 minutes. Figaro - here, there and everywhere is written with a younger audience in mind, and toured schools in the Wellington area earlier this year.

During the afternoon, the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus will rehearse for the upcoming opera season of The Genesis Spring Season of The Pearl Fishers by Bizet. This is a rare opportunity to hear a rehearsal in progress, as Chorus Master Michael Vinten takes the Opera Chorus through the work. Michael will also provide an informative commentary for the audience.

The day culminates in a performance by the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus, the Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists, and guest soloists, who will present a short opera finale featuring some of opera's best-loved pieces.

A day with The NBR New Zealand Opera, The Marae, Level 4. Admission is free.

TIMINGS
10.30am - 11.30am Making Up at the Opera
11.30am - 11.45am Vocal Warm-ups
11.45am - 12.40pm Figaro - here, there and everywhere!
1.15pm - 3.45pm Behind the Scenes with the Chorus
4.00pm - 4.30pm Grand Finale

Ends

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