NZ Opera School attracts rising stars

MEDIA RELEASE

Issued by The NZ Opera School Trust

5 November 2007

NZ Opera School attracts rising stars

Twenty-two of New Zealand’s rising young opera stars converge on Wanganui in early January for the 14th annual New Zealand Opera School. The residential school, which runs from Thursday 3 to Monday 14 January 2008 at Wanganui Collegiate School, fosters the growth of opera in New Zealand by nurturing the talents of our promising young singers – the opera professionals of tomorrow.

In addition to the intensive vocal, language, movement and acting training the students undergo during the NZ Opera School, the students provide a range of events for the public to observe the progression of the creative process as part of Energy Direct NZ Wanganui Opera Week. Activities involving the students include two evening masterclasses with acclaimed British vocal coach and technical advisor to the Young Artists at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Paul Farrington; recitals at local cafes and restaurants around Wanganui; a lunchtime concert at the Sarjeant Art Galley; and a chapel service dedicated “To Music” in the Wanganui Collegiate Chapel. The School culminates in a public concert on Saturday 12 January at the Royal Wanganui Opera House, where the students showcase the music studied over the duration of the School.

Over the ten days of the NZ Opera School the students work closely with leading opera professionals. In 2008, British vocal consultant and expert Professor Paul Farrington is joined by highly respected New Zealand opera singers/coaches, soprano Margaret Medlyn, baritone Barry Mora and for the first time, tenor Richard Greager. Other coaches include Italian vocal coach Luca Manghi, movement and acting coach Sara Brodie, and vocal coaches/repetiteurs Francis Cowan, Bruce Greenfield, David Kelly, Dr Greg Neil and Iola Shelley.

NZ Opera School Director, Donald Trott, says the coaches at the Opera School are very carefully chosen as they often have a profound impact on the young singers’ careers. “The opera practitioners we select to coach the students all have international careers and reputations,” he says, “and as a group they provide the students with a unique learning opportunity not readily available elsewhere in New Zealand. The students learn a vast amount from working closely and intensely with these experts and the experience can make a significant difference to their development and future aspirations. As the only residential opera school in New Zealand offering an intensive programme for burgeoning opera talent, we are providing a vital cog in the wheel of these young singers’ careers,” he says.

Simon O’Neill, who has gone on to establish a fine international career, attended the NZ Opera School twice, initially in 1995, the School’s debut year, and again in 1996. “The Opera School played a large part in introducing me to the professional level required for an operatic career,” he says. “Development of vocal technique, operatic style, acting and fitness were all very important. And one person from the 1995/96 Schools has been at the forefront in developing my international operatic career, Frances Wilson. As one of the principal coaches of the School at the time, Ms Wilson installed in me the complete dedication and work needed for an international career.”

Over the years a “who’s who” of young New Zealand opera singers including Simon O’Neill, Carmel Carroll, Benjamin Fafita Makisi, Madeleine Pierard, Zan McKendree-Wright, Kristen Darragh, Wade Kernot and Phillip Rhodes, have attended the School, so places have become highly sought after. Most of the selected students, who come from all over New Zealand, are completing tertiary music studies with intentions of pursuing professional opera careers.

The NZ Opera School receives major support from Creative New Zealand, the New Zealand Community Trust, ASB Community Trust, The New Zealand Community Trust and a number of private individuals. The NBR New Zealand Opera PWC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists attend the School each year.

ENDS

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