Sculptureum Winter Series (1)

For the Second year The Auckland Opera Studio will be presenting its winter series of Concerts at the wonderfully Inspirational Sculptureum. 2019 offers 3 concerts, bringing to Matakana the best of New Zealand’s young Operatic Vocal talent at this very moment carving out their prospective careers in the UK, Europe and the US. Mostly back for a short Summer (Winter) break they have managed to grace us with their presence between Family and other commitments.

The concert dates are as follows.

June 22, 5pm: Filipe Manu and Natasha Wilson (with collaborative pianist Somi Kim)

July 13, 5pm: Amelia Berry and Friends.

August 17, 5pm: Eliza Boom and Friends.

Filipe is at present finishing up his second year on the Guildhall Opera Programme. Prior to his finishing this 2 year scholarship course, he was invited to be a guest artist for the prestigious Royal Opera House, Jette Parker Young Artists programme, playing the role of “Hippolyt” in Hans Werne Henz’s Phaedra to be performed in the newly renovated Lindbury Theatre adjacent to the Royal Opera House. In 2019/2021 he then takes a position as a full Young Artist on this same programme for the Royal Opera house. As a young artist on the way up, it would be hard to ask for more.

Between Phaedra and now he performs the role of Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola with West Green House Opera Festival.

For New Zealand Audiences He will be remembered for wining the coveted Australian IFAC Handa competition in 2017, and last year for winning second place in the Lexus and third in the Australian Joan Sutherland, Richard Bonynge Bel Canto competition. To top that he performed a superlative Romeo in the Auckland Opera Studio’s own production of Capuleti e i Montecchi last September.

Natasha is another of our prodigious young singers. She made her professional debut with NZ Opera in 2017 as a member of the touring production of The Mikado, and sung the role of Paquette in their 2018 production of Bernstein’s Candide. Those of you who have attended the Auckland Opera Studio Summer Picnic Concerts will remember her as our Guest Soprano in 2018, performing with the ‘Shades”. Back in New Zealand this year she will sing the role of Zerlina in the APO town Hall production I of Don Giovani in July. At present she has just completed her Masters at San Francisco Conservatorium and then takes up a place as a Resident Artist with Pittsburgh Opera for 2 years starting in September where she will be preparing for multiple roles with the Company – (Cover and Principal).