<rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><channel><title>aucklandoperastudio</title><description>aucklandoperastudio</description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/news</link><item><title>Ode to Spring; Coming soon!</title><description><![CDATA[Dear Opera Studio Friends and Supporters,"The Sun is Shinning, c'mon get happy!"Yes it's Spring.. or near enough.... As a consequence I've invited a group of young singers to entertain you on Sunday the 20th.Like Spring, these are the Singers of tomorrow: Blest with youth; Blest with hope; The flower rather than the fruit. We promise a charming uplifting evening and a preview of the next young possibles to leave our shores.Do please come and support them if you can. Five are still students with<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_bc0fd7cdc6e64eb7a21d22f469a9bdb7%7Emv2_d_3508_2480_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Elizabeth Mandeno, Felicity Tomkins, Carla Camilleri,Tayla Alexander, Thomas Roshol, Nathan Hauraki.</dc:creator><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2019/10/11/Ode-to-Spring-Coming-soon-1</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2019/10/11/Ode-to-Spring-Coming-soon-1</guid><pubDate>Fri, 11 Oct 2019 05:22:43 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_bc0fd7cdc6e64eb7a21d22f469a9bdb7~mv2_d_3508_2480_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Dear Opera Studio Friends and Supporters,</div><div>&quot;The Sun is Shinning, c'mon get happy!&quot;</div><div>Yes it's Spring.. or near enough.... As a consequence I've invited a group of young singers to entertain you on Sunday the 20th.</div><div>Like Spring, these are the Singers of tomorrow: Blest with youth; Blest with hope; The flower rather than the fruit. We promise a charming uplifting evening and a preview of the next young possibles to leave our shores.</div><div>Do please come and support them if you can. Five are still students with end of year recitals near. At this stage of their development every performance, every audience, helps them grow as performing artists...We as audience are part of an importnt process.</div><div>It will be a varied programme of classical and crossover; full of joy, delight and profound interest.</div><div>Don't miss it: 5pm for 5.30 Sunday 20th October</div><div>Prosecco and Nibbles beforehand.</div><div>Tickets; $40</div><div>Over 60's: $30</div><div>Students: $20</div><div>Yours Sincerely,</div><div>Frances Wilson ONZM</div><div>Director; Auckland Opera Studio.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Congratulations Tayla Alexander</title><description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_7b80dd7c87df472da76ae60b40ffd451%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2019/06/09/Congratulations-Tayla-Alexander</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2019/06/09/Congratulations-Tayla-Alexander</guid><pubDate>Sun, 09 Jun 2019 06:46:20 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="//static.usrfiles.com/html/ad78f2_3e088579b07a10068c0b210b32b71b9d.html"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_7b80dd7c87df472da76ae60b40ffd451~mv2.png"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Filipe Manu performing in 'the Auckland Opera Studio' Winter Series</title><description><![CDATA[June 22, 5pm: Guest Artist Filipe Manu and Natasha Wilson (with collaborative pianist Somi Kim)Filipe currently in his 2nd year of the Guildhall Opera Programme was 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, Lindbury Theatre. Filipe will take the role of Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola with West Green House Opera Festival.Australian IFAC Handa 2017 winner, 2nd 2018 Lexus and 3rd Australian<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_9b8c8221a97e4149be8ea5f0ad584516%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2019/06/09/Filipe-Manu-performing-in-the-Auckland-Opera-Studio-Winter-Series</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2019/06/09/Filipe-Manu-performing-in-the-Auckland-Opera-Studio-Winter-Series</guid><pubDate>Sun, 09 Jun 2019 05:12:38 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>June 22, 5pm: Guest Artist Filipe Manu and Natasha Wilson (with collaborative pianist Somi Kim)</div><div>Filipe currently in his 2nd year of the Guildhall Opera Programme was 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, Lindbury Theatre. Filipe will take the role of Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola with West Green House Opera Festival.</div><div>Australian IFAC Handa 2017 winner, 2nd 2018 Lexus and 3rd Australian Joan Sutherland, Richard Bonynge Bel Canto competition. Filipe performed a superlative Romeo in Auckland Opera Studio’s September 2018 production Capuleti e i Montecchi.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_9b8c8221a97e4149be8ea5f0ad584516~mv2.png"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sold out Concert! Amitai Pati &amp; Isabella Moore</title><description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5d0e396642ed416493cceca5a490f597%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2019/06/09/Sold-out-Concert-Amitai-Pati-Isabella-Moore</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2019/06/09/Sold-out-Concert-Amitai-Pati-Isabella-Moore</guid><pubDate>Sun, 09 Jun 2019 03:52:13 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="//static.usrfiles.com/html/ad78f2_54c28aab4ff1bfa5e8918e90ff7356a2.html"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5d0e396642ed416493cceca5a490f597~mv2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Marlena Devoe In Concert</title><description><![CDATA[Marelna Devoe is in New Zealand for a limited time performing in NZ Opera's La bohème, she is kindly giving us the opportunity to hear her and co star Julien Van Mellaerts with Terence Dennis before she heads back to Europe.Make sure you catch her at one of her concerts:Wellington at St Andrews, 30 The Terrace on October 7; orAuckland at St Patrick's Cathedral, 43 Wyndham Street on October 16th.Tickets for both are by donation on the door. Lock these dates in your calendar now, trust us you do<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_19d762703582491e8f08b7b7893a8ef7%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_885/1784da_19d762703582491e8f08b7b7893a8ef7%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/09/28/Marlena-Devoe-In-Concert</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/09/28/Marlena-Devoe-In-Concert</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2018 23:46:41 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Marelna Devoe is in New Zealand for a limited time performing in NZ Opera's La bohème, she is kindly giving us the opportunity to hear her and co star Julien Van Mellaerts with Terence Dennis before she heads back to Europe.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_19d762703582491e8f08b7b7893a8ef7~mv2.png"/><div>Make sure you catch her at one of her concerts:</div><div>Wellington at St Andrews, 30 The Terrace on October 7; or</div><div>Auckland at St Patrick's Cathedral, 43 Wyndham Street on October 16th.</div><div>Tickets for both are by donation on the door. </div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_b35fbe3e58c54eac9f5e6caac8dfa435~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_e893ff1f8710476a8c4d33362aee938c~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_0001cefc5a0c4666b7907d57b5c68129~mv2.png"/></div><div>Lock these dates in your calendar now, trust us you do not want to miss your chance to hear these beautiful voices. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_cc6444e275244a41aaeea376b58c7b74~mv2.png"/><div>Look forward to seeing you all there. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>NZ Herald Review: I Capuleti e i Montecchi</title><description><![CDATA[What: I Capuleti e i Montecchi Where: Mercury TheatreBellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi took on a special resonance, staged in the same Mercury Theatre that hosted our city's brave operatic endeavours three decades ago.Filipe Manu as Romeo Madison Nonoa as JulietThis bel canto treatment of the Romeo and Juliet story, staged by Frances Wilson's Auckland Opera Studio, was the latest in a line of memorable productions of lesser-known works by composers from Handel to Kurt Weill.With a minimal set,<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_a96b2860cc6742708718d036431c2f09%7Emv2_d_3049_3091_s_4_2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_288%2Ch_292/1784da_a96b2860cc6742708718d036431c2f09%7Emv2_d_3049_3091_s_4_2.jpeg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/09/10/NZ-Herald-Review-I-Capuleti-e-i-Montecchi</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/09/10/NZ-Herald-Review-I-Capuleti-e-i-Montecchi</guid><pubDate>Sun, 09 Sep 2018 21:22:55 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>What: I Capuleti e i Montecchi Where: Mercury Theatre</div><div>Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi took on a special resonance, staged in the same Mercury Theatre that hosted our city's brave operatic endeavours three decades ago.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_a96b2860cc6742708718d036431c2f09~mv2_d_3049_3091_s_4_2.jpeg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_a7a95b7edce240a8bba863ff6e4f6edb~mv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Filipe Manu as Romeo Madison Nonoa as Juliet</div><div>This bel canto treatment of the Romeo and Juliet story, staged by Frances Wilson's Auckland Opera Studio, was the latest in a line of memorable productions of lesser-known works by composers from Handel to Kurt Weill.</div><div>With a minimal set, director Patrice Wilson drew strong characterisations from five crucial soloists while, around them, various extras came in and out of the narrative to striking symbolic effect.</div><div>While purists might miss the music that fell on the cutting-room floor, the ruthless editing made for compelling drama. An opening chorus of angry Capulets was replaced by a high-powered trio of Damian Arnold, Joel Amosa and Wade Kernot which set the plot rolling in gripping recitative, burdened only by surtitles too dimly illuminated for legibility.</div><div>Throughout, an instrumental quartet led by exemplary pianist and musical director Rosemary Barnes offered a crisp and simpatico musical backdrop, with effective shading from Luca Manghi's flute, Donald Nicholls' clarinet and Nicola Baker's horn.</div><div>The second act, running at just over 40 minutes, had the immediacy of a thriller, dominated by Madison Nonoa and Filipe Manu as the star-crossed lovers. Both had already impressed in the previous act with exquisite singing but their final tomb scene effortlessly took this to a new level.</div><div>Dramatically preceded by a heroic duel duet between Manu and Arnold's Tebaldo, the lovers' final reunion captured tragedy with the purest lyricism which, even with Nonoa's daring pianissimo, had the emotional urgency that marks Bellini as a composer who so shrewdly understood the joys and torments of love.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2018 Winter Series</title><description><![CDATA[It is with great pleasure that we can announce the we will be partnering with the beautiful Sculptureum for this years Auckland Opera Studio Winter Series in Matakana. The dates for our 2018 Winter Series are: Sunday 5th August and Sunday 2nd September. Tickets can be purchased on our website.We will have a variety of beautiful voices at each concert. At our August 5th concert we will have singers currently studying in the United Kingdom: Filipe Manu, Madison Nonoa, and Damian Arnold, along with<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_4d71b2490a294dce8a4d23cea13b6b07%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/05/08/2018-Winter-Series</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/05/08/2018-Winter-Series</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2018 02:06:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>It is with great pleasure that we can announce the we will be partnering with the beautiful Sculptureum for this years Auckland Opera Studio Winter Series in Matakana. </div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_4d71b2490a294dce8a4d23cea13b6b07~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_3a3322265f4343d4a8c64ec01fa50f9f~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_f2b605bf293a4a65943a8268723bf66d~mv2_d_2000_1333_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_51ea42128231440690603c85f2ed64d3~mv2_d_2000_1333_s_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5c9a2821327d47809d2e620482b7049a~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_2bafa8f482c845a5a9029d6395faf6a3~mv2.jpg"/></div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_c60441767b5e4a92a879b63a757195a9~mv2.png"/><div>The dates for our 2018 Winter Series are: Sunday 5th August and Sunday 2nd September. Tickets can be purchased on our website.</div><div>We will have a variety of beautiful voices at each concert. </div><div>At our August 5th concert we will have singers currently studying in the United Kingdom: Filipe Manu, Madison Nonoa, and Damian Arnold, along with local talent Joel Amosa. These singers will also be in our upcoming Opera production Romeo and Juliet on August 24th and 26th 2018.</div><div>Singers for the last soiree will be announced closer to the time. </div><div>We hope to see you all there. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>April Update From Madison Nonoa</title><description><![CDATA[January - April 2018It’s been a busy second semester over here in London, much of it made busier by the extra time added to getting around the city owing to all the snow we’ve had to put up with! I’ve fallen over many, many times and I’ve since concluded that snow isn’t actually all it’s cracked up to be.BRITISH YOUTH OPERA At the moment I am writing in between breaks for the British Youth Opera Easter workshops. We’ve been in the workshops for three days now, putting together scenes from Cosi]]></description><dc:creator>Madison Nonoa</dc:creator><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/04/10/April-Update-From-Madison-Nonoa</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/04/10/April-Update-From-Madison-Nonoa</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Apr 2018 22:05:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>January - April 2018</div><div>It’s been a busy second semester over here in London, much of it made busier by the extra time added to getting around the city owing to all the snow we’ve had to put up with! I’ve fallen over many, many times and I’ve since concluded that snow isn’t actually all it’s cracked up to be.</div><div>BRITISH YOUTH OPERA At the moment I am writing in between breaks for the British Youth Opera Easter workshops. We’ve been in the workshops for three days now, putting together scenes from Cosi fan tutte (I have been, regrettably, cast as Fiordiligi — and I only say “regrettably” because in my heart of hearts I am a true Despina!). I auditioned about a month ago for BYO and it’s a real pleasure to have been invited to come along to the workshops; I am hoping to continue my involvement next year and audition for one of their main stage operas. I received a call-back audition for their Handel opera this summer, but I will be returning to New Zealand during that time, so I was unable to take up the call. More about coming home later . . . .</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_a8bbbedd7ebd4d98bd4460528b260bc8~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_f6e3546b6a854bbfa44745d6e7e5e7ae~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_7eca59b1000a40289b21aebb1e1d9f84~mv2.jpg"/></div><div>A Frenchwoman, Kiwi, Californian, Filipina, Dutchman and an Englishman walk into a BYO rehearsal room . . . And here we are performing a completely made up on the spot staged version of the Cosi Act I Finale! Delphine is “Il Medico” (Despina), I am Fiordiligi talking to a wise Don Alfonso (Thorvald) and Renee as Dorabella watches on. Our two lovers, James and Jonathan as Guglielmo and Fernando, are pretending to be dead.</div><div>It’s been really wonderful getting to meet lots of singers from different academies across the UK! I’ve made a lot of new friends who I really hope I get to work with soon in the future. We had acting, movement and vocal coaching all week as well as ensemble singing in the form of collaboratively putting a scene from Cosi together from scratch on the first day!</div><div>OPERA SCENES PERFORMANCES Looking back on the semester, I can honestly say that it was . . . Well, one of the most stressful periods of music education I have ever experienced! In a good way, I hasten to add. This term I was given three sets of scenes: Monteverdi’s “Lamento della Ninfa”; Donizetti’s “Come s’en va contento . . . Quanto Amore!” (L’Elisir d’Amore — Adina/Dulcamara duet); and Purcell’s “Sure, the dull God of Marriage” + Final sequence of scenes from “The Fairy Queen”. They’re all beautiful scenes and I immensely enjoyed performing each one — especially when Sam and I discovered that we would be re-incarnating our on-stage partnership born in the furore of our first semester when we sang the newly weds Figaro and Susanna: we had now transformed in Adina and Dulcamara for a vamped up, mafia-inspired, drug-soaked slice of L’Elisir. Sam was also in the Monteverdi scene as “Bass” (not an actual character name, just the line he had to sing; one of the interesting things about “Lamento” is that it was written for a solo female voice – ‘Ninfa’ — and three men who are nameless and act as her backup singers). The other two men in the scene were two people I’m sure you’ve never heard of: Fredi Jones (tenor 2) and Filipe Manu (tenor 1). It was really lovely to have a little New Zealand scene (*except for Sam).</div><div>The third scene was a bit of a nightmare — literally! Zoe Drummond and I were dressed up in corsets, lace, fishnets, high heels, gloves, garters, painted white, wigged (in my case I am sure the wig I was wearing came from an obliging poodle; will provide photographic evidence) and singing coloratura while climbing atop bar-tops, pushing Christian “Norwegian Bass” Valle around the stage on a wheeled office chair whilst pretending to be woodland creatures. It was a lot of fun, but I honestly don’t know how women did anything in corsets. Having said that, Zoe and I felt a sense of enormous satisfaction that we’d managed all our contortions whilst porting one of the most purposefully restrictive garments known to woman — “all that, and in high heels” is the phrase that comes to mind!</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_9ac6726d44984a1cb42dbff26c09b57a~mv2.png"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_dee66da0ec31481f9da911cb80e5827c~mv2.png"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_dfa3a1838790486cb08ef19f54d3c91f~mv2.png"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_cc0b84fce7c64adcbe3fa1e6ac8861af~mv2.png"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_de2e5c273ed044f6ba4d1e54abb7538f~mv2.png"/></div><div>At the end of the semester, a group of friends consisting of two singers (myself and the aforementioned Sam), Collin the Californian harpsichordist and part-time countertenor, two violinists (Victoria and Sophia), a cellist (Tamaki) and Sergio that lute player formed an ensemble and we entered the Early Music prize competition at Guildhall. We were one of four groups that made it through into the finals, and although we didn’t come away with a win on the night, it was such a pleasure to get to make music and perform with students from different departments. We will try again next year!</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_1d90b2cb66a541d28a98dd628cdc3df8~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_50b65391b67c4a4cbb39f15e87248ed0~mv2.jpg"/></div><div>Competition mode: our group, ‘Tunder and Lightning” preparing for our Early Music Prize Final at Guildhall.</div><div>Tea + Homemade biscuits + Music prep for our final!</div><div>OTHER FUN THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED:</div><div>GLYNDEBOURNE Outside of scenes in the Opera Programme I’ve had a lot of exciting things to be getting on with, beginning with an unexpected but thrilling adventure out to Glyndebourne, where I worked for three days in workshops for Glyndebourne Youth. I was contacted to participate by Howard Moody, a conductor and composer I was introduced to in New Zealand. It was a really wonderful opportunity to perform for Glyndebourne Youth and take part in something at this prestigious Opera house — I was a little intimidated at first, but everyone was very welcoming and I certainly hope I will have the chance to go back again some day!</div><div>LE NOZZE DI FIGAROSince February, I have been rehearsing and preparing for the Bloomsbury Opera production of “Le Nozze di Figaro” in which I will sing the role of Susanna! I am so over the moon to be singing this part, as Susanna is my dream role and Mozart is always such a joy to get to learn. We have a really great cast and we have all, thankfully, become very good friends throughout the process. Our opening night is in fifteen days, so the count down is well and truly on!</div><div>MASTERCLASSESThis semester I was invited to sing in Public masterclasses at Guildhall for visiting teacher Edith Wiens from Juilliard and Dame Emma Kirkby from the Historical Performances department. Both masterclasses were fantastic to take part in, and I certainly relished the opportunity to sing some Monteverdi for Dame Emma, who is known particularly for her beautiful Early Music interpretations and stylistic singing.</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_41e64b26e551433d89d152343c11ae48~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_b5169cbe89e8432fa369c14fc4678c5b~mv2.png"/></div><div>Masterclass notes: From Dame Emma Kirkby and A photo I took during a lunch break at Glyndebourne!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_06540ebc15f14e21882aebfba86b32c0~mv2.jpg"/><div>My first FIGARO! (**Susanna!)</div><div>UPCOMING EVENTS:</div><div>SAMLING SCHOLAR AUDITIONNext month I have been invited to audition for the Samling Young Artist Programme, which offers a selected group of seven singers the opportunity to work for a week-long intensive course with a team of coaches and teachers on song repertory. I’ll do my best and let you know!</div><div>FIRST GUILDHALL MAINSTAGE ROLEThis July (a month my brain stubbornly refuses to see as “Summer” as everyone here keeps insisting!) I will perform the role of Leonora in Hindemith’s “A Long Christmas Dinner”. It is a short, challenging work that I am very much looking forward to singing.</div><div>COMING BACK TO NEW ZEALAND . . .<div>This August I will be returning to New Zealand to perform the role of Giulietta in Auckland Opera Studio’s season of Bellini’s “I Capuleti e I Montecchi”. I am extremely excited to perform this beautiful role and continue my involvement with the Auckland Opera Studio, which has been a source of constant encouragement and support since my time as a student at the University of Auckland. I will also perform as a soloist with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra in their “In Your Neighbourhood” traveling concert series, which I am very much looking forward to. </div></div><div>FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE . . . I am really excited to announce that I will sing the role of Despina in the Guildhall School of Music and Drama season of Mozart’s ‘Cosi fan tutte’ in November 2018, followed by the role of Tytania in Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, also a GSMD production. The shows will be musically directed and conducted by Dominic Wheeler. These are two fantastic roles for my voice type and I am over the moon to have the chance to learn them thoroughly and perform them alongside my friends in this opera course.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_3bf0c1e495734ae5a7652830ad5aa1a5~mv2.jpg"/><div>I hope that you have had a peaceful and happy Easter and I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you once again for coming along on this journey with me and I really do appreciate all the support — I wouldn’t be here without it. Also — sorry for the barrage of photos but here is one more of me trying to make a snowball. What a novice.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_c177921149994e129168bf82e0527bfa~mv2.jpg"/><div>This is my official Portrait taken at the Queen’s Commonwealth Ceremony at Westminster Abbey where I was invited to be the flag bearer for Samoa. It was an honour and a real privilege to be able to represent Samoa in this capacity, and to also have the unique opportunity to walk around Westminster Abbey when it was practically deserted during the dress rehearsal. AND we saw Meghan Markle up close! I can confirm she is every bit as glamourous as her photos are.</div><div>Lots of love,</div><div>Maddie xx</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Event List Update</title><description><![CDATA[We are excited to share with you that we have a number of events in the works for our 2018 calendar. So far we have the following events booked, tickets for the Autumn and Winter series are available on our website (events page) and for tickets to our 2018 Opera production you will need to book through iTicket.AprilAutumn Soiree at the Studio (Auckland)Sunday April 15th at 5:00pmMayAutumn Soiree at the Studio (Auckland)Sunday May 6th at 5:00pmJuneWinter Soiree One at the Sculptureum (Matakana)<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_21cb5f07b8384d089d1dc7c59d82fe6c%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_263/1784da_21cb5f07b8384d089d1dc7c59d82fe6c%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/04/09/Event-List-Update</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/04/09/Event-List-Update</guid><pubDate>Sun, 08 Apr 2018 20:20:06 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_21cb5f07b8384d089d1dc7c59d82fe6c~mv2.png"/><div>We are excited to share with you that we have a number of events in the works for our 2018 calendar. </div><div>So far we have the following events booked, tickets for the Autumn and Winter series are available on our website (events page) and for tickets to our 2018 Opera production you will need to book through iTicket.</div><div>April</div><div>Autumn Soiree at the Studio (Auckland)</div><div>Sunday April 15th at 5:00pm</div><div>May</div><div>Autumn Soiree at the Studio (Auckland)</div><div>Sunday May 6th at 5:00pm</div><div>June</div><div>Winter Soiree One at the Sculptureum(Matakana) Sunday June 24th at 5:00pm</div><div>July </div><div>TBA</div><div>August</div><div>Winter Soiree Two at the Sculptureum(Matakana)</div><div>Sunday August 5th at 5:00pm</div><div><a href="https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2018/aug/romeo-and-juliet">Opera Romeo and Juliet at the Mercury Theatre</a><a href="http://www.iticket.co.nz">(Auckland)</a> Friday August 24th at 7:30pm</div><div>Sunday August 26th at 5:30pm</div><div>September</div><div>Winter Soiree Three at the Sculptureum (Matakana) Sunday September 2nd at 5:00pm</div><div>We also have a number of other events in the works so be sure to subscribe to our mail list to be the first to hear about these events or keep an eye on our events page to secure your tickets. </div><div>We look forward to seeing you all during the year. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Update from Stephen Diaz</title><description><![CDATA[It’s been a while since I left NZ and my birthday on Tuesday really highlighted how grateful I am for each and every one of you (I know there are definitely more, this email is for them too). I will treasure my last few weeks in NZ for the rest of my life. All the benefit concerts and the time I got to spend with you was so special. Thank you for all of your encouragement and your belief in me. I feel like the luckiest boy in the world. There have been many moments in Europe where I realise how]]></description><dc:creator>Stephen Diaz</dc:creator><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/02/08/Update-from-Stephen-Diaz</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/02/08/Update-from-Stephen-Diaz</guid><pubDate>Thu, 08 Feb 2018 06:35:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>It’s been a while since I left NZ and my birthday on Tuesday really highlighted how grateful I am for each and every one of you (I know there are definitely more, this email is for them too). I will treasure my last few weeks in NZ for the rest of my life. All the benefit concerts and the time I got to spend with you was so special. Thank you for all of your encouragement and your belief in me. I feel like the luckiest boy in the world. There have been many moments in Europe where I realise how lucky we are as young singers in NZ with all the opportunities we can take hold of in our beautiful country. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Just before I left New Zealand I made some really important progress with Frances in our final lessons. We took my sound lower into my body which is the step I needed to take towards a more reliable, stable way of singing. This progress has been complimented and developed through the lessons and coaching I’ve received since being in Europe. My voice has really changed quite a bit since I last sang for you, it’s anchor is lower and stronger. The composer (Fabrizio Cassol) approached me one day after rehearsal and asked if I’d like to join him after rehearsal or on a weekend, just to make some sounds together. We’ve met a few times where he sits with his saxophone improvising while I repeat his improvisations with my voice (Pitch, Rhythm and Volume). His intention was to get me to sing in a more relaxed fashion, without allowing my technical thought to replace emotional expression on my face and in my body. He asked me to focus on the lower harmonics of his sound when I tried to reproduce it and to move around on the bench in a fluid motion if ever I felt like any tension was creeping in. After a few sessions I’ve become more comfortable with reaching notes or navigating the geography of the melody without it affecting my outward physical nature on stage. We both enjoy these sessions and we will continue to have them. I’ll let you know how it’s going in my next update. Ghent has been FREEZING. I’ve never experienced cold like this in my life. I know it’s not the worst yet, but its cold. I’m still enjoying it though. I love the little city. It makes me happy. I live in an apartment with two of the singers. They played the Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the version some of you may have seen at the Arts Festival in 2015. Our city is quite small and I really enjoy riding my bike everywhere. We have one of the most beautiful christmas markets. It’s set in the centre of the city, between the three large cathedrals and the surrounding alley ways. The stalls are housed in little log cabins and the food is delicious.  I experienced snow falling for the first time. It was exciting, even though it only stayed for a couple of days. It made the city and the markets even more magical. Riding my bike back home after the first fall was interesting. I made it with no broken bones and I managed to help a man whose car got stuck in the middle of the road, blocking all of us trying to get home after work. Antonio has been with me most of the time but he’s also spending some time in Spain with his family and bonding with his new niece. I asked him If I could send his greetings and he said “yes please, I miss them”. We both miss you. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to make a little trip home towards the end of the year. I’ll let you know as soon as we do.  We have a ten minute walk to work every morning, where we start with a warm up with one of the company dancers. He also assisted with choreography and staging. We had a really intensive rehearsal period for the show. For three months we were working from 10am - 6pm at the ballet studios, staging the show on the set which is modelled after the holocaust memorial in Berlin. Fabrizio and the director (Alain Platel) have really saturated the performance with the way death is processed by different cultures. There are moments of morning and sorrow as is common in western tradition and then there are bursts of celebration as we see in african or tribal tradition. The show also includes a video of a special lady who chose to be euthanised. There’s been significant growth emotionally and expressively through this process for all of the performers. Alain has really pushed us to find a special part of ourselves to bring to the stage. When ever he required something more of us, he asked us to forget that there would be anyone watching us and to focus on our true relationships with the people we are working with and our personal feelings about whats occurring on stage. He stopped us from creating a character for the show and led us to being ourselves fully and authentically. The performance has become a moment of reflection and therapy for suit feels like the audience just happen to be observing a moment in our lives. One of the challenges for me was that I knew that my grandmother wasn’t doing very well and that when I saw her in December during the holidays, it would be the last time. Before we ended rehearsal I i found myself preparing for the moment she would no longer be here, by imagining the moment she joins me on stage after she passed. I went home for 10 days over the festive period and the whole family was there, apart from my brother and one of my cousins. We spent some special time at my grandmothers bedside making music, telling stories, laughing, reminiscing and celebrating. It was so wonderful to reconnect with my family. My grandmother passed a week after I got back to Europe (3 weeks before her 91st birthday, she had a great innings), fortunately most of the family was still there on holiday and she had a beautiful farewell.  On the 7th of January we travelled to Berlin and Spent 10 days rehearsing at the Berliner Festspiele, before the premiere on the 18th of January. Berlin was an interesting experience. It was cold and dry. Super dry. I couldn’t even use the aircon in the apartment because of the dryness. I ended up getting hay fever but cut it short steaming with Manuka and Albas oils. Lemon honey and ginger tea worked a treat as well. I will definitely be investing in a ‘humidiflyer’ soon for some easy hydration. The show was so well received, we had full houses and standing ovations for a few minutes each of the three nights we performed there. I was also fortunate enough to meet up with some kiwi singers while I was in Berlin. I hope that I get to meet many more throughout the tour. I’ve added some photos of my journey so far.</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_1988440e51a04bc2bf55f5384b4fb7d2~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_1dbf24e0dc1548b292e1fff690fd118b~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_54d10a2f5f034b44872bdc8b9bac102b~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_c61f1ed41f654dee9600fb5c577f0818~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_3dc60a4b6200446ba2a1d2ee1d60496e~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_67fd504f9d2c40f29e81381512bd641a~mv2_d_2448_3264_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_97ec800b82de42a3b9c8669139fe5ab0~mv2_d_3264_2448_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_d78d09e56bf24172827ac84fd663b6ff~mv2_d_2448_3264_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5f8b0500501641c2b4eff0a86b158938~mv2_d_2448_3264_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_decd9382b49e4d6590c08db971f8a3ce~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_8ff60e6531d446bdbd51a31e85399605~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_101ae5e75a4743f88a39ef91b4eddd55~mv2_d_3264_2448_s_4_2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5fdafb29f77d40f8a02ddad5734b4310~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_dce1d33958b0476a997f8982b2b1b7b8~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_9fa901e1ea8b45bb8444f3a87ff9fd4b~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_080c89e14afc4aefb3896eca5b2f314f~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_f98574c030644f519d4bf3f41e8fd02e~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_15bb40f6edbb4b0cb707a99f5da42806~mv2.jpg"/></div><div>As I mentioned before, the process of creating this show has had a huge effect on me emotionally. Sometimes the effect becomes a bit taxing. While sitting on a plane after a rehearsal period, I decided that I needed an outlet for it. I started to write a journal and its turned out to be an important tool for me. I don’t write in it everyday, but when I’m overwhelmed with emotion and in need of perspective. My birthday morning was one of those days. I was reflecting on the last year of my life and it inspired me to write. I don’t often share this writing, but I’d like to share this entry with you. Part of it is connected to other passages in my journal, so it may seem a bit obscure. You are part of the ‘they’ I write about and I thank you again for being one of ’them'. </div><div>Tears I cry. I’ve never listened to my tears before, I hadn’t realised that they were for me first, before anyone else may be allowed receive them. They’re my souls indication that it is full and in need of release. I feel this warmth in the center of my face as the tears burst through. Tears swollen with the feelings my soul has been harboring for some time. Tears of gratitude are lingering on my eyelids before being released into the world. I send thoughts of thankfulness to every soul for filling my soul with encouragement, determination, joy and love throughout this journey. The souls who are the they, guiding me to discover and embrace my fire. I am allowed. I am liberated. Merci.</div><div> Best wishes for 2018 and all my love,Stephen</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Happy New Year</title><description><![CDATA[Happy New Year to you all. We hope you are all relaxed and refreshed after your Christmas break. We are all looking forward to the Opera picnic on February 24th in Matakana. This year we have another exciting group of young singer’s - The Shades - ready for a marvelous evening. Along side these young men will be a female guest singer.Introducing The Shades:[Taka Vuni, Manase Latu, Ipu Laga'aia and Samson Setu]Bookings are coming along nicely so don’t be too slow in getting your tickets. (Tickets<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_486bc646582b49eebad22c947e774860%7Emv2_d_4000_6000_s_4_2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_939/1784da_486bc646582b49eebad22c947e774860%7Emv2_d_4000_6000_s_4_2.jpeg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/01/16/Happy-New-Year</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2018/01/16/Happy-New-Year</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2018 23:24:56 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Happy New Year to you all. We hope you are all relaxed and refreshed after your Christmas break. </div><div>We are all looking forward to the <a href="https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2018/feb/picnic-in-the-park">Opera picnic</a> on February 24th in Matakana. This year we have another exciting group of young singer’s - The Shades - ready for a marvelous evening. Along side these young men will be a female guest singer.</div><div>Introducing The Shades:</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_486bc646582b49eebad22c947e774860~mv2_d_4000_6000_s_4_2.jpeg"/><div>[Taka Vuni, Manase Latu, Ipu Laga'aia and Samson Setu]</div><div>Bookings are coming along nicely so don’t be too slow in getting your tickets. (Tickets for this event are to be booked through <a href="https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2018/feb/picnic-in-the-park">iTicket</a>only this year.)  We are looking forward to seeing everybody at <a href="https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/events/the-shades-picnic-in-the-park">Jones Road</a> on Saturday 24th February. </div><div> If you are an able to make it to Matakana on the 24th The Shades will be performing at St Mary's for our <a href="https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2018/feb/mainly-mozart">Mainly Mozart</a> concert the week prior - Friday 16th - tickets for this event can also be purchased at <a href="https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2018/feb/mainly-mozart">iTicket</a>. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>First Events For 2018</title><description><![CDATA[With 2017 drawing to a close and the last event for the year happening in less than a weeks time we thought it appropriate to share with you the two events we have planned to kick off the 2018 Auckland Opera Studio events.Both of these events will be held in February giving everyone enough time to enjoy the holiday season and get back into the swing of things. The first of our events will be Mainly Mozart held in conjunction with The Friends of Holy Trinity Cathedral at St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_e751e4fccc094de4960935332bbe46a7%7Emv2.png/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_436/1784da_e751e4fccc094de4960935332bbe46a7%7Emv2.png"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/11/21/First-Events-For-2018</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/11/21/First-Events-For-2018</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Nov 2017 19:30:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>With 2017 drawing to a close and the last event for the year happening in less than a weeks time we thought it appropriate to share with you the two events we have planned to kick off the 2018 Auckland Opera Studio events.</div><div>Both of these events will be held in February giving everyone enough time to enjoy the holiday season and get back into the swing of things. </div><div>The first of our events will be Mainly Mozart held in conjunction with The Friends of Holy Trinity Cathedral at St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity Cathedral on Friday 16th February 2018.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_e751e4fccc094de4960935332bbe46a7~mv2.png"/><div>The second will be our annual Picnic in the Park held again this year at 144 Jones Road, Omaha. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_ca2e5f6e67b84d08a61319cd7a2e239f~mv2.png"/><div>The Shades a quartet of beautiful Tongan and Samoan voices. Most of you will be aware of some, if not all of The Shades singers. Samson Setu you will recognise from our soirees this year, Ipu Laga’aia who performed at our dinner earlier this week, Taka Vuni is a new voice to the Auckland Opera Studio scene and Manase Latu has performed in previous years at our soirees. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_7f9e8e9978ca40ada7fc37c23f30f912~mv2.jpg"/><div> [Pictured above from left to right: Taka Vuni, Samson Setu, Ipu Laga'aia and Manase Latu]</div><div>In addition to the lovely voices of The Shades at both events will be a guest artist who will be announced closer to the date. </div><div>Tickets to both events are available now through <a href="https://www.iticket.co.nz/">iTicket</a>:</div><div><a href="https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2018/feb/mainly-mozart">Mainly Mozart</a></div><div><a href="https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2018/feb/picnic-in-the-park">Picnic in the Park</a></div><div>We look forward to seeing you all at these events.</div><div>For any further information to that already provided by us or on iTicket please do not hesitate to contact Devin on 09 523 1013 or at <a href="mailto:aucklandoperastudio@gmail.com?subject=">aucklandoperastudio@gmail.com</a></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Update from Madison Nonoa</title><description><![CDATA[Hello from London! October/November 2017I am writing to you on a cold, cloudless Halloween from the Barbican centre, London. It’s week eight here of this term at Guildhall but it feels as though it could easily be year eight — so much has happened and I already feel as though I have undergone some kind of metamorphosis. For example: I grumble like every one else when someone forgets you're supposed to stand on the right NOT the left of the escalator if you don’t intend on walking up; I no longer<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_a7a95b7edce240a8bba863ff6e4f6edb%7Emv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_417/1784da_a7a95b7edce240a8bba863ff6e4f6edb%7Emv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Madison Nonoa</dc:creator><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/11/07/Update-from-Madison</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/11/07/Update-from-Madison</guid><pubDate>Mon, 06 Nov 2017 22:21:17 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_a7a95b7edce240a8bba863ff6e4f6edb~mv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Hello from London!October/November 2017</div><div>I am writing to you on a cold, cloudless Halloween from the Barbican centre, London. It’s week eight here of this term at Guildhall but it feels as though it could easily be year eight — so much has happened and I already feel as though I have undergone some kind of metamorphosis. For example: I grumble like every one else when someone forgets you're supposed to stand on the right NOT the left of the escalator if you don’t intend on walking up; I no longer answer with a cheerful “very well thanks, how are you?” when anyone asks me “you alright?” because they aren’t, despite what I suspected for so long, asking how I am but if I need help; and, I have become obsessed with Britten compositions (a very unexpected shift in musical preferences for me). However, on a more serious note, it is within the gloomy (architecture-ally speaking) walls of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama that I have found my new home and I absolutely love it. Since beginning eight weeks ago, I have been continually fascinated by every aspect of music learning and making here. It is just so busy. The Opera Course, I had been warned thoroughly, was going to be an intensive and incredibly demanding experience . . . well, what an understatement!! The Opera Course consists of twelve students in year one and twelve in the year above. Although we are all working within this small department, the two year levels are kept separate. The “oldies” (my rather unflattering short name for the group of extremely talented singers in year 2) are busy preparing three operas for performance (one of which, Menotti’s “The Consul”, opened last night) and are a sort of ghostly presence in the school; everyone knows they’re there, somewhere, but we never see them because they are in secret rehearsal rooms deep in the depths of the school, only emerging to sing beautifully on the Silk Street Theatre stage. I am an understudy this term in The Consul, my role being that of “the Foreign Woman”. Apart from my amusement at the appropriateness of this being the name of my first character here in London, I found it to be a challenging bite-sized role to cut my teeth on — and I am very excited to attend the performance of the work on Wednesday evening. The twelve of us in first year — we have inventively named ourselves “The Year” in a text message group — are a mixed bag of students from the Guildhall Masters programme, two Australian sopranos, a Spanish mezzo-soprano named Carmen (you can imagine the first thing every single one of us said to her) and four New Zealanders (Filipe Manu, Benson Wilson, Fredi Jones and myself). According to every student I’ve met so far, the entire school (staff included) is agog with incredulity that there could be so many New Zealanders in the Opera Course in one go. We have very loyally responded, without a shadow of exaggeration or boast, that New Zealand is chock-a- block full of wonderful singers and there is sure to be more to follow. They are preparing for the invasion of 2018 as I write.</div><div> We have been divided up into eight operatic scenes tobe performed in four weeks time. Roughly, we have about three each. Since I was an understudy in The Consul, I have only two scenes: Act IV Finale of Le Nozze di Figaro beginning from Susanna’s aria “Deh vieni non tardar” (I am Susanna) to the end, and a sparkly little duet scene between Marie and Tonio in Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment. In order to support our learning of these scenes we are given (a daily onslaught of) coachings from a range of vocal teachers, specialist language tutors and pianists. These coachings are the best part of the process for me, so far. The coaches we are meeting are incredibly experienced and, naturally, very exacting in terms of their expectations. I am constantly being pushed to reach for more, more, more — a general note being “think faster, faster, faster”. (I feel as though my brain is preparing to run an Olympic mile sprint race, poor thing.) Although it was, and is from time to time, a little overwhelming, I feel so extremely lucky to work with the people I am being coached by and the colleagues I am surrounded by. The other singers on the course are a constant source of support and inspiration: one of the rank had her Wigmore Hall debut the other week and it felt strange watching her sing so marvellously that night thinking that earlier that same day we had been horsing around in a “stage fighting” class being decidedly unglamorous. Yet, there she was, singing like a true bel canto beauty and making everyone cry. What makes this course the intense experience that it is, I think, lies in the expectations of our Head of Department and the director for our scenes. The “scenes” are not really“scenes”: they are snippets of an actual operatic production. They are to be fully staged, costumed with a full set team of stage managers, lighting directors, prop makers, makeup artists, wig-doers . . . the whole deal. The expectations, therefore, are outlined as thus:</div><div>Know every word of what you are singingKnow every word of what everyone else is singingKnow the historical/social/political/cultural context of the operaKnow the orchestration of the sceneKnow every dynamic — yes, even the ones for the second trumpet and fortieth oboe in EbWatch the Opera three times (preferably live) read the play too . . . and see the playWhat did your character say five scenes ago? Yes, know that in Italian/French/German/Russian AND EnglishWhat did the source text say? Not the libretto — don’t rely on the libretto.What’s are the other conjugations of that verb? No, not your one, his one?What’s a synonym for that adjective?Maybe you should just learn ItalianAnd FrenchAnd GermanAnd RussianPlus what do you actually think of this character? What’s your opinion?1Your opinion, not your read opinionWould you character like cheese? Why not? Please justify with reference to five historical sources and ten quotes from the libretto.</div><div> It sounds simple, and I think it is, really. Except that, like most “simple” things, there are two million hidden complicated factors involved! There is a never ending level of depth to dive into with even these scenes, so I am beginning to understand that what they are trying to break down how we thought about preparing a role and getting us to critically piece together a more thorough, effective and stimulating formula that will make us into the most efficient and creative artists we are able to be. I think I speak for all of us newbies when I say that in the first week of the scenes rehearsals (we were given a time frame of four weeks to get our chunks of music to this level of detail) it came at us like a tonne of bricks how specific in your knowledge and technique you actually have to be before you can call yourself “prepared**”2.We have been so fortunate to have been purposefully surrounded by people who have held us to these expectations and not let us get away with anything less — I can’t wait to get my hands on the next scenes because now I know exactly what is required of me and how I need to manage myself to get the results, I think I will find the whole process a lot less intimidating and far more creatively exciting. As they keep reminding us, they are not trying wanting us “to get it right, boxes ticked”, they want us to really absorb and grow. As someone obsessed with trying to “get it right”, this is the habit I am finding hardest to kick!</div><div> My teacher here at the school is Yvonne Kenny. We are working together to piece together the entire role of Susanna from Figaro, a role which she believes is perfect for my voice at the moment. I am really enjoying my lessons and I have already started to feel my singing change to become more grounded and perhaps, dare I say it, a bit more . . . lyrical! — The Soubrette Confessional.</div><div> Outside of University, I have tried to make the most of London’s fantastic cheap tickets in every theatre scheme. For just NZD$10 I was dazzled by Sabine Deveilhe singing a truly unbeatable Queen of the Night at the Royal Opera House’s Die Zauberflote (also starring the Australian Siobhan Stagg as a sublime Pamina); similarly, last night I attended the controversial Katie Mitchell production of Lucia di Lammermoor featuring Lisette Oropesa. Oropesa received a thoroughly deserved standing ovation for her mad scene — her singing was, hands down, the best live singing I believe I have ever witnessed. She will be a defining Lucia of all time, I am betting on it now. There was not a dry eye in the house by the end. Fascinatingly, people were not so moved by the story nearly as much as they were by the exquisiteness of her bel canto singing; the power of a true diva!! A couple of nights ago I attended a Wigmore Hall performance by the Hesperian XXI and their brilliant helmsman, Jordi Savall. Since performing with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra last year, I have taken a keen interest in Savall’s recordings of early music, particularly those featuring his late wife, acclaimed soprano Montserrat Figueras, or “the voice of emotion”, as she was hailed. Experiencing their music live was both inspirational and a reminder to me of why I am here to study and why I adore music so much. I decided, a few weeks ago, to enter into the Bach Society of London’s annual Bach Singing competition. In order to be eligible I had to learn seven arias, including three from the “Passions”. I knew approximately . . . two and a half, so, when my brain wasn’t scrambling to think of all the shades of sensuality colouring every. single. syllable. of “Deh, vieni non tardar”, it was scrambling to understand Bach harmonies. I’m going to call it an experiment called “How Much Bach Can I Learn in Three Weeks”. I got through into the Semi- Finals (the only Guildhall representative through!) after singing three pieces in an initial audition, a panel featuring Ian Partridge, and I then had the chance to perform in St George’s church in Hanover Square. This was an experience I will always remember: despite the nerves of performing pieces I had never performed before, I was able to look up at the back of the cathedral-esque church and sing into one of Handel’s favourite musical performance and practicing spaces, featuring the organ he played. Amazing historical stuff! Although I didn’t make it to the final four, I am incredibly proud to have got to the top ten and I now have a bit more confidence in my new-found music learning process. Next up for me is the English Song Competition at the University and then, of course, the scenes performances. I will send news of these things when they are done and dusted!</div><div>(One of the immediate plans I have is to set my alarm clock for a sobering 5am wake up call tomorrow in order to get to the reception desk at the Hall in which I am living to beat out the other eager music students to book a practice room at the Hall. It is the funniest thing — we all arrive, looking at each other contemptuously, waiting to get our hands on the booking sheet sitting beside the receptionist and off- limits to us until exactly 7am (we begin lining up at 6am). I think the receptionists fear a blood bath each time. The main competition comes from Dave the Pianist: you get there before Dave, you have won the game and you get the best practice room as your prize.)</div><div> I want to say a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to you for your support and for your encouragement. Studying in London has been, so far, the most exhilarating and rewarding experience of my life I am doing my level best to push myself and strive for all the goals I set a the beginning of this journey. I wanted to learn to be the best singer I could be; being here, surrounded by the history and the vast amounts of experienced, fabulous musicians, I feel very grateful to every teacher and mentor I had and have in New Zealand — I do feel that I was ready to meet this challenge head on and, with as much grace as I can muster, I intend to continue stretching and growing in the months to come.</div><div> With many a jealous thought about how much sunshine I am currently missing, And also a lot of love,</div><div> Maddie xx</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_b8f611eac08f4831aba3ebd6ea09ef79~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_f53b29284cae4b06a170a5a6a4d1ffe2~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_82053c72b59c4e5888ed425c4b6db2bf~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5a451a5cbd90480eafd8081685067d2f~mv2.jpg"/></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Update from Marlena Devoe</title><description><![CDATA[To All My Lovely Supporters, How are you!?? It's been a while since I last messaged you all. I sent an update after my time in Sicily but I believe some of you didn't receive my email so I've included bits of it below...hope you enjoy hearing what I've been up to! First of all, unfortunately I was unable to participate in the Belvedere Competition in Moscow. doing everything I could possibly think of, I withdrew from the competition when the Russian Visa Office in Milan told me that the only way<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5345844462634b9694c5b24fb3bc3703%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_417/1784da_5345844462634b9694c5b24fb3bc3703%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Marlena Devoe</dc:creator><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/10/28/Update-from-Marlena</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/10/28/Update-from-Marlena</guid><pubDate>Mon, 30 Oct 2017 22:10:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5345844462634b9694c5b24fb3bc3703~mv2.jpg"/><div>To All My Lovely Supporters, How are you!?? It's been a while since I last messaged you all. I sent an update after my time in Sicily but I believe some of you didn't receive my email so I've included bits of it below...hope you enjoy hearing what I've been up to! First of all, unfortunately I was unable to participate in the Belvedere Competition in Moscow. doing everything I could possibly think of, I withdrew from the competition when the Russian Visa Office in Milan told me that the only way I could obtain a visitors visa was if I flew back home to New Zealand and applied for an urgent visa from there. As much as I wanted to do the competition, there was no way I could afford to do this - I told myself &quot;it just wasn't meant to be&quot;. I didn't let it bother me too much, because within a few weeks, I was off to Sicily to attend the Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival. Thanks to the support of the Auckland Opera Studio, I was able to attend this fantastic five week course in Caltagirone, a little Sicilian town famous for its ceramics.  The day consisted of Italian lessons at 8-9 in the mornings, with voice lessons starting at 10am and finishing at 6pm. We had approximately 3-4 sessions per day, and we were encouraged to sit through other students lesson when we were available. We also had to attend rehearsals for the operas we were cast in (I was singing Mimi in their production of La Boheme) and then for the operas we weren't involved in, we had to sing in the chorus...and all of this was done in the 43 degree Sicilian heat. It was intensive and it was incredible. This course ended up being just what I needed. I had the opportunity to work with Jack Livigni - the director of the programme and guest vocal coach for the singers at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. His style of teaching was very similar to Frances, especially his desire for and insistence on forward resonance. I also worked through my role in Boheme with Nelly Miricioiu, a beautiful Romanian soprano, of the old Bel Canto technique. She also directed our Boheme and had some excellent suggestions for interpretation and onstage movement - it was great fun! Other guest coaches were David Gowland (the Artistic Director of the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme at the Royal Opera House), Salvatore Fisichella, (a famous Bel Canto tenor, who made many singers cry when they couldn't sing quietly), Kamal Khan (an American conductor, now based in South Africa) and my personal favourite, Carlos Conde (a great teacher from Puerto Rico). Everyone had such positive things to say about my voice and I was selected to sing in a masterclass for Brian Dickie when he came to visit for a few days. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_6a322e400e074433a68223509f00cdab~mv2.jpg"/><div> Luckily, it wasn't all work! We had Sundays off and Jack organised trips to the beach. We managed to visit Taormina, Syracusa, Catania and Gela and got as much beach time as we could fit in. We also visited the ruins in Agrigento, and I performed my Boheme under the stars in an outdoor venue, with the ruins as my backdrop. It was beautiful. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_d20ed6bd6a5542348b95fd6a55c2b14d~mv2.jpg"/><div>We ended the course with a concert at the local auditorium, followed by a typical Italian dinner, rich in carbs and wine. I was sad to leave after such an intensive and inspiring few weeks. I definitely won't miss our horrible dormitory breakfasts and lunches but I loved getting to know some of the other singers and I loved being able to experiment with my voice in a safe environment. I enjoyed myself immensely, and as I headed back to Milan, I was more confident in my technique and my abilities. Next on the schedule were a couple of competitions - one was in Portofino and the other was in Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Although I wasn't placed, I made it to the finals and was getting positive feedback...it just takes time. Finally, last month, I headed to beautiful Tuscany to participate in Patricia Hurleys Italian Masterclasses, which I was able to attend thanks to the Dame Malvina Major Foundation who sponsored my stay there. We stayed at the idyllic Villa Petrolo, in the heart of Tuscany, amongst the vineyards and the olive groves...too bad I was there alone - it was very romantic! During my time at the Villa, I had the opportunity to work with Maestro Peter Lockwood, a wonderful vocal coach, who works at Dutch National Opera in the Netherlands. We worked through several of my arias and prepared a wee programme for a concert at the Villa, a concert in the local performance hall in Montevarchi and finally, a concert at the New Zealand Embassy in Rome. There were three other NZ singers in attendance - mezzo soprano Bianca Andrew, soprano Natasha Wilson and baritone Jonathan Eyers, and then of course we had the &quot;touristi&quot;, the guests of Patricia, who were opera enthusiasts and supporters. During the day, we had our Italian lessons in the morning, and sessions with Peter in the afternoon and the &quot;touristi&quot; would explore Tuscany by day and join us for a 3-course Italian dinner at the Villa by night. It was a very relaxing few weeks and once again, getting to know the other 3 singers was a big laugh. We worked and laughed and ate a lot...as expected haha We spent the last few days of the course in Rome. Patricia Hurley took us for a fascinating Tosca tour in Rome (as this is where the opera is set) and then we prepared for our final concert at the Embassy. We also managed to see an opera at Teatro del Roma (an opera called Fra Diavolo - a terrible production with projections which resulted in the singers having to be stationary for the majority of the opera). We had the reached the end of our course and working with Peter was definitely a highlight. He was very curious to know who my teacher was in New Zealand, because he said, &quot;whoever it was did a fantastic job&quot;. When I told him it was Frances Wilson, he was very impressed. Yay! Finally, I returned home after an amazing few months singing and exploring Italy. A couple of weeks ago, I sent off my Tier 1 Exceptional Talents visa application to the Home Office in the U.K. I should have a response from them shortly - fingers crossed everything is approved once again. In the meantime, I am sending of applications to companies in the U.K. and begging for extensions from some of them (as their auditions are mainly at the beginning of November, and my visa definitely won't be approved by then). I've written to the Royal Opera House, Garsington, Opera Holland Park, to name a few...and while I'm still here in Italy, I'll audition for the Puccini Festival and the Rossini Festival and try my luck at one more competition - the Ottavio Ziino Competition in Rome, which is sponsored by the Pavarotti Foundation. I'll keep you all updated on the results of my visa. Hopefully next time I write to you, I will be writing from my apartment in London. Fingers and toes crossed for me! I am a little nervous... Also, just to share some amazing news with you all (in case you haven't already heard) ...I will be making my debut with New Zealand Opera next year, singing the role of Mimi in their production of La Boheme! YAY!! (Lucky, I had all that prep work in Sicily). Performances are in September and October in Auckland and Wellington - should be a great show so I hope to see you all there! Sending you all lots of love from Italia! I've attached some photos below of my experiences...try not to laugh at the silly faces. Tanti baci, xx Marlena</div><div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5345844462634b9694c5b24fb3bc3703~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_d27bcc9c03864106bd8553f2463dc131~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_29ef8fa9e9c647bb843774aa79b9403a~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_c586949265bf4d95af46c136b82f9472~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_7c8633f0d0ac487696db1065dcaebee7~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_05c2724e9f8e4cfda5fed64cd22d9714~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_41ed8c0752164d4a8f21cab11127aeeb~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_d20ed6bd6a5542348b95fd6a55c2b14d~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_6a322e400e074433a68223509f00cdab~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_d3ee6f96f62441728a384ab9b89513df~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_18edbbc7fc3f4576bf81aa096ff673e2~mv2.jpg"/><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_e2e80ec3a9534fca885f57a2a943a97d~mv2.jpg"/></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>An Evening with Auckland Opera Studio</title><description><![CDATA[Auckland Opera Studio will be holding an opera evening on November 20th. This will be the last of our events for the year and is one not to be missed.Charcuterie and cheese platters and a sweet treat to follow will be served with wine tastings to match. Between each serving some of our talented young singers will be performing a mixture of arias. This sophisticated soiree will be held at at Maison Vauron from 6:15pm. Seats are limited. Book your tickets now on our website.Date: Monday 20th<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_49dbdde08f6f4f71873714f7303e4a55%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_417/1784da_49dbdde08f6f4f71873714f7303e4a55%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/10/30/An-Evening-with-Auckland-Opera-Studio</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/10/30/An-Evening-with-Auckland-Opera-Studio</guid><pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2017 21:15:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Auckland Opera Studio will be holding an opera evening on November 20th. This will be the last of our events for the year and is one not to be missed.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_49dbdde08f6f4f71873714f7303e4a55~mv2.jpg"/><div>Charcuterie and cheese platters and a sweet treat to follow will be served with wine tastings to match. Between each serving some of our talented young singers will be performing a mixture of arias. This sophisticated soiree will be held at at Maison Vauron from 6:15pm. Seats are limited. Book your tickets now on our website.</div><div>Date: Monday 20th November 2017</div><div>Time: 6:15pm - 9:00pmLocation: Maison Vauron, 5 McColl Street, NewmarketTickets: $75.00 book online</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Stephen Diaz Fundraising Concert</title><description><![CDATA[The fundraising concert by Stephen Diaz and friends held by Dame Jenny Gibbs on Monday 11th September is now sold out! If you didn't get your ticket before it sold out we have some good news. Auckland Opera Studio will be hosting a second concert at the Studio on Wednesday 27th September. Drinks and canapés will be served from 6:00pm and the concert will start at 6:30 pm. As for the ticket price, a donation of $50 - $70 is requested and student ticket price is $15. Get in quick as there are only<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_0be808616c514d59aa1b0ce22d9291c8%7Emv2_d_2048_1536_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/08/31/Stephen-Diaz-Fundraising-Concert</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/08/31/Stephen-Diaz-Fundraising-Concert</guid><pubDate>Thu, 31 Aug 2017 05:30:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>The fundraising concert by Stephen Diaz and friends held by Dame Jenny Gibbs on Monday 11th September is now sold out!</div><div>If you didn't get your ticket before it sold out we have some good news. Auckland Opera Studio will be hosting a second concert at the Studio on Wednesday 27th September.  Drinks and canapés will be served from 6:00pm and the concert will start at 6:30 pm. As for the ticket price, a donation of $50 - $70 is requested and student ticket price is $15. Get in quick as there are only a limited number of seats available. RSVP to Devin at devin@jpasearch.com or on 09 523 1013.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_0be808616c514d59aa1b0ce22d9291c8~mv2_d_2048_1536_s_2.jpg"/><div>Stephen Diaz embarked on his singing journey in 2004 when he joined the Auckland youth choir. In the following years, Stephen moved on to the national youth choir and then the Auckland chamber choir at the University of Auckland where he was pursuing a Bachelor of Music, under the tutelage of Morag Atchison. He was accepted in to the Dame Malvina Major PWC emerging artist program with NZO, at this point he had already been successful in competitions and placements for schools such as the New Zealand Opera School, which he attended 3 times from 2010 and masterclasses with the likes of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Sir Andrew Davis. In 2012 Stephen was runner up in the Lexus song Quest and winner of the New Zealand Aria competition, he was also the recipient of the Circle 100 scholarship. Stephen has made remarkable progress, learning with Frances Wilson at the Auckland Opera Studio for the past 6 Years. Over the years, Stephen has performed recurrently various companies and musical societies around New Zealand and he is currently preparing to embark on his International career, with an engagement which will see him based in Belgium until 2019.</div><div>Tavis Gravatt was first introduced to opera at age 12, his last year of intermediate school and has been enjoying the sweet sounds ever since. His first real foray into the opera scene was through 'Opera Factory' a boutique opera company in the heart of Newmarket where he played a number of lead and supporting roles. At the age of 17 he was invited to join the Chapman Tripp New Zealand Opera Chorus where he continues to sing.  In the autumn of 2010 he won the Becroft Operatic Aria category in the North Shore Competitions, this granted him automatic entry to the Sydney Eisteddfod McDonald's Aria where he got through to the quarter final rounds of the competition. Later in spring he made it to the final of the Lockwood NZ Aria competition and had the distinct privilege of singing with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra in the evening performance. Later that evening he was presented with the 'Most Promising Voice' award. For many years now he has attended the New Zealand Opera School, for intensive tuition from excellent local and international singing tutors, including Professor Paul Farrington. In 2012 he made it through to the final 12 of the Lexus Song Quest and placed third in the New Zealand Aria. This placing was immediately preceded by the opportunity to attend Patricia Hurley’s Italian tour which was made possible by the generosity of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation. Earlier this year Tavis was chosen to sing in the Lexus Song Quest final with the NZSO under the baton of Edo de Waart. </div><div>Morag Atchison is one of New Zealand’s leading sopranos. She studied at the University of Auckland and the Royal Academy of Music (London) and was a finalist in the Kathleen Ferrier and Royal Over-Seas League Competitions. She has sung roles with NZ Opera, English Touring Opera, Opera Unleashed, NZSO, APO, and Aspen Festival Opera, and has performed internationally in the UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, Kenya, and Seychelles. She is a frequent soloist with NZ’s major choral societies and is regularly heard on Radio NZ in concert and recital. This year Morag’s engagements include performances with Auckland Choral, Voices NZ Chamber Choir, the Karlheinz Company, Bach Musica, and Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire at the University of Auckland. She recently presented at the World Choral Symposium in Barcelona and the International Congress of Voice Teachers in Stockholm. Morag holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts, is a lecturer in voice at the University of Auckland, and is a vocal tutor for the NZ Youth Choir.</div><div>Robert Wiremu is a teacher, coach and accompanist, working with aspiring singers for many years. As a senior tutor, professional teaching fellow and vocal coach, Robert has been central to the development of the musicianship, classical voice, conducting, and choral programmes at the University of Auckland. He also composes and arranges, and his work frequently features in choral and solo recitals. He has performed as a soloist, accompanist and conductor at the NZ Festival of the Arts and the Auckland Arts Festival. He has been director of the NZ Secondary Students' Choir, deputy director of the NZ Singing School (Te Toi Waiata Aotearoa), and the producer for Opera in the Pa. Currently, Robert’s main project is a collaboration with kapa haka composer, Tuirina Wehi, which has resulted in performances by the University of Auckland Chamber Choir, Voices NZ and the NZ Youth Choir. Robert’s pedagogies about lyric diction have been presented in lectures and workshops for the NZ Choral Federation, the Association of Choral Directors of Aotearoa, and are used by teachers and conductors throughout NZ, Australia, and Canada. He has been an adviser for international ensembles such as Chanticleer (USA), Europa Cantat (Belgium), The Kings Singers (UK), and the University of Auckland Chamber Choir. Robert has adjudicated ‘The Big Sing’ for the NZ Choral Federation, the NZ Aria (Rotorua), and the IFAC Australian Singing Competition. He is an artistic advisor to the NZ Youth Choir and the national chamber choir, Voices NZ.</div><div>Date: Wednesday 27th September 2017</div><div>Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm - concert starts at 6:30pmLocation: Auckland Opera Studio, 2nd Floor, 24 St Benedicts Street, Auckland.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Final 2017 Winter Series Concert</title><description><![CDATA[The Final of our Winter Series concerts is this weekend.The Auckland Opera Studio Winter Series was conceived as a farewell to the talented group of Opera Singers – all scholarship winners – about to leave these shores for the Northern academic year beginning in early September. They are leaving these shores for good to take up their hard-won places at the best of the British Music Colleges. The first of our singers for this soiree is Madison Nonoa. Madison is on a full scholarships at the most<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_11b10521f4ac4cd398c53614d1174627%7Emv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_417/1784da_11b10521f4ac4cd398c53614d1174627%7Emv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/07/13/Final-2017-Winter-Series-Concert</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/07/13/Final-2017-Winter-Series-Concert</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Jul 2017 01:49:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>The Final of our Winter Series concerts is this weekend.</div><div>The Auckland Opera Studio Winter Series was conceived as a farewell to the talented group of Opera Singers – all scholarship winners – about to leave these shores for the Northern academic year beginning in early September. They are leaving these shores for good to take up their hard-won places at the best of the British Music Colleges.</div><div>The first of our singers for this soiree is Madison Nonoa. Madison is on a full scholarships at the most prestigious College Opera Programme in Great Britain – the Guildhall Opera Programme.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_11b10521f4ac4cd398c53614d1174627~mv2_d_5616_3744_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>You must hear her because she has a wonderful limpidity in her sound and is a marvelous actress and a beauty as well!⠀</div><div>Then we would like to introduce you to James Ioelu. who I am proud to say began his vocal studies with Frances Wilson at the age of 18 (alongside Marlena)</div><div>He left New Zealand at the age of 22 and achieved a Masters in Voice at NYC’s Manhattan School of Music.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_516fd968c2d94a7da0599e7ccfb45157~mv2.jpg"/><div>James then moved to London where he was accepted at the internationally acclaimed National Opera Studio in London. He is now a freelance opera singer with a bass baritone voice of first class size and quality. We are delighted to have him with us. There is definitely a good future in store for him.</div><div>The last singer is home from London for a few weeks and is the exquisite mezzo-soprano, Bianca Andrews, whom performed for us in our Winter Series last year. Those who heard her last year will remember her wit, charm, intelligence and beautiful sound. Her repertoire is fantastically interesting and her communication of it is second to none!</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_0d074e690b3243b49cf5dbe2cd60c68a~mv2_d_1896_1492_s_2.jpg"/><div>This is the final concert of our Winter Series. In it we are presenting the product of 3-5 years of truly international teaching mentoring and exposure to live performances from the important artists of our time – not to mention master classes and various lessons from the Greats of a previous era – and Madison a star in the making.</div><div>A Soprano, a Bass-Baritone and a Mezzo-Soprano!It will be a marvelous evening to finish the 2017 Auckland Opera Studio Winter Series.</div><div>Tickets for the Saturday concert can be booked through The Vivian – thevivian@thevivian.co.nz 09 422 9995</div><div>Tickets for the Sunday concert can be booked through Devin – devin@jpasearch.com 09 523 1013</div><div>As usual there will be CASH ONLY door sales on the evenings for anyone that decides on the night to attend.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Queen’s Birthday Honours 2017</title><description><![CDATA[Over Queen’s Birthday weekend Frances Wilson was appointedOfficer of New Zealand, Order of MeritInternationally recognised in the field of Bel Canto singing, Frances Wilson-Fitzgerald gives all her time to develop and coach talented young Kiwi singers – a work that has been acknowledged with her appointment as an ‘Officer of New Zealand, Order of Merit’ (ONZM) on Queens Birthday, 5 June 2017.The director and cofounder of the Auckland Opera Studio, along with Dr John Peebles, Frances is one of<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_067e80473f8d43efafc5d0d59be17131%7Emv2_d_4864_3648_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_470/1784da_067e80473f8d43efafc5d0d59be17131%7Emv2_d_4864_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/06/07/Queen%E2%80%99s-Birthday-Honours-2017</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/06/07/Queen%E2%80%99s-Birthday-Honours-2017</guid><pubDate>Tue, 06 Jun 2017 22:00:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Over Queen’s Birthday weekend Frances Wilson was appointed</div><div>Officer of New Zealand, Order of Merit</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_067e80473f8d43efafc5d0d59be17131~mv2_d_4864_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Internationally recognised in the field of Bel Canto singing, Frances Wilson-Fitzgerald gives all her time to develop and coach talented young Kiwi singers – a work that has been acknowledged with her appointment as an ‘Officer of New Zealand, Order of Merit’ (ONZM) on Queens Birthday, 5 June 2017.</div><div>The director and cofounder of the Auckland Opera Studio, along with Dr John Peebles, Frances is one of the names behind many of New Zealand’s foremost young artists now on the international stage, including Marlena Devoe, Sole Mio (Sol3 MIO) brothers Pene, Amitai Pati, and renowned operatic tenor Simon O’Neill.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_98bb545415484d59aceeb3e53a5e9e18~mv2_d_4864_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Frances trains and coaches promising young singers – including a large number of talented Maori and Pacific Island singers – and in addition provides performance opportunities in the way of operas and recitals, as a means to prepare them for a professional career on stage. The singers are paid for their work.</div><div>On her appointment as an ‘Officer of New Zealand, Order of Merit’, Frances said she wanted to thank the people who support the Trust. “Without their support, so many young talented singers would not be able to achieve great things not only in New Zealand, but on the global stage.”</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_a0d4418ca7964e97a3184400577fcecc~mv2_d_3648_4864_s_4_2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>May Soiree</title><description><![CDATA[Dear Opera Friends,The second of our Winter Series concerts is only two weeks away (20th and 21st May).Singing for us at this months concerts, Saturday 20th at the Vivian in Matakana and Sunday 21st at the Studio at 24 St Benedicts Street, Newton, Auckland, is the beautiful Eliza Boom and Katherine McIndoe. Come and hear these two young singers, both of who will be setting off overseas in a few months’ time. It will be a delightful evening.Filipe Manu will be our guest artist for both of these<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5d9314094d9f4dd99e87647399b87b8c%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_428/1784da_5d9314094d9f4dd99e87647399b87b8c%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/05/09/May-Soiree</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/05/09/May-Soiree</guid><pubDate>Mon, 08 May 2017 21:21:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Dear Opera Friends,</div><div>The second of our Winter Series concerts is only two weeks away (20th and 21st May).</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5d9314094d9f4dd99e87647399b87b8c~mv2.jpg"/><div>Singing for us at this months concerts, Saturday 20th at the Vivian in Matakana and Sunday 21st at the Studio at 24 St Benedicts Street, Newton, Auckland, is the beautiful Eliza Boom and Katherine McIndoe. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_4d1e1688692b45baa02cba17790759db~mv2_d_5433_3622_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Come and hear these two young singers, both of who will be setting off overseas in a few months’ time. It will be a delightful evening.</div><div>Filipe Manu will be our guest artist for both of these evenings, this is your chance to hear him before he sings in our Opera later this year.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_1bf2ddc0de3f4b419b63dd3bfb5b1346~mv2_d_4864_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Don’t forget tickets are $50.00 and must be booked in advance either through the Vivian or Devin . We look forward to seeing you for a glass a wine, a sandwich and an evening of lovely music. </div><div>The tickets for the Saturday show are available through the Vivian Gallery – 39 Omaha Valley Road, Matakana, RD5 Warkworth 0985, Phone: +64 9 422 9995 or Email:thevivian@thevivian.co.nz and the tickets for the Sunday show are available through Devin Phone: +64 9 523 1013 or Email: devin@jpasearch.co.nz</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Marlena sets off to Italy</title><description><![CDATA[Marlena has been offered a place at the Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival 2017. The Mediterranean Opera Studio is a very prestigious teaching institute.She will be studying and singing the role of Mimi in La Boheme and will be performing at the Festival in July.Marlena will be working with the famous voice coach Jack LiVigni who is the head coach at the Royal Opera Covent Garden, he is also in charge of the Young Artist Program for the Royal Opera House. Working with him means that she is<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_7a0a9cc547b14ba1a68d330996c019aa%7Emv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/05/03/Marlena-sets-off-to-Italy</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/05/03/Marlena-sets-off-to-Italy</guid><pubDate>Tue, 02 May 2017 21:00:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Marlena has been offered a place at the Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival 2017. The Mediterranean Opera Studio is a very prestigious teaching institute.</div><div>She will be studying and singing the role of Mimi in La Boheme and will be performing at the Festival in July.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_ce49508009e74d2ab0ee25eb4578b50a~mv2.png"/><div>Marlena will be working with the famous voice coach Jack LiVigni who is the head coach at the Royal Opera Covent Garden, he is also in charge of the Young Artist Program for the Royal Opera House. Working with him means that she is likely to be given a chance to sing Mimi elsewhere in Europe.</div><div>As you might imagine all this comes at a price. We have raised almost enough to help her with her fees so of course, any help would be appreciated.</div><div>The Auckland Opera Studio has underwritten her fees but we still need several thousand to complete her to Italy. By sending your donations to the Auckland Opera Studio we provide a receipt for tax purposes.</div><div>It is such a pleasure to see how well Marlena is singing and we must all be mindful of Frances Wilson’s experience and teaching skills, this wouldn’t be happening without her.</div><div>Marlena will be keeping us up to date with her time in Italy and we will publish this for everyone to enjoy.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_7a0a9cc547b14ba1a68d330996c019aa~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>If you would like to send donations to the Auckland Opera Studio for Marlena’s tuition, you can email Devin at devin@jpasearch.com for the Auckland Opera Studio account details. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>An Evening with Marlena Devoe</title><description><![CDATA[The Auckland Opera Studio is privileged to be able to offer you this unique opportunity to hear – up close and personal – the finest soprano voice New Zealand has on offer. On Sunday, 09th April, we have organised for Marlena to be with us in the Studio at 24 St Benedicts Street, Newton, Auckland to showcase for you her voice before she returns to Europe. it is a rare opportunity for us to bring you such a developed talent – one that has been nurtured and polished so well by Frances. it is<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_cb1e1f383301456d91fd2649b2b9f99f%7Emv2_d_4505_3379_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_470/1784da_cb1e1f383301456d91fd2649b2b9f99f%7Emv2_d_4505_3379_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/03/24/An-Evening-with-Marlena-Devoe</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/03/24/An-Evening-with-Marlena-Devoe</guid><pubDate>Fri, 24 Mar 2017 02:15:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>The Auckland Opera Studio is privileged to be able to offer you this unique opportunity to hear – up close and personal – the finest soprano voice New Zealand has on offer. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_cb1e1f383301456d91fd2649b2b9f99f~mv2_d_4505_3379_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>On Sunday, 09th April, we have organised for Marlena to be with us in the Studio at 24 St Benedicts Street, Newton, Auckland to showcase for you her voice before she returns to Europe. it is a rare opportunity for us to bring you such a developed talent – one that has been nurtured and polished so well by Frances. it is likely we will have few opportunities to see Marlena in the foreseeable future so we wish this evening to bring you a close encounter with a young woman who is at the top of her game. she represents the best in New Zealand opera talent. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_77ae1d52dc1d4199a857ec80086604ef~mv2.jpg"/><div>Seats are limited so get in fast. Doors will open at 5:00pm for 5:30pm start, the door price is $50 and you will receive a complimentary glass of wine and a a few hors d’oeuvre.</div><div>This is one soiree you should not miss. To secure your tickets call 09 523 1013 or emaildevin@jpasearch.com or bring cash on the night.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_ffca2c53e68e4b8dab9e5941e8613d9f~mv2.jpg"/><div>We hope to see you all there. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Operanesia – February 2017</title><description><![CDATA[With the weather forecast showing showers in the lead up to this years Operanesia picnic we were lucky enough to avoid the rain on the evening.The team worked extremely hard to get the stage and grounds ready for the approximately 500 people that had pre-purchased their tickets to arrive at 4:30pm.Our final count at the gate was over 550 people.Once everyone had found their spots and set themselves up the show started.All 550 + people sat on the lawn and enjoying their picnic, while watching and<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_6cd163b911bb414d8058b3ad548ce53f%7Emv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_417/1784da_6cd163b911bb414d8058b3ad548ce53f%7Emv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/03/07/Operanesia-%E2%80%93-February-2017</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2017/03/07/Operanesia-%E2%80%93-February-2017</guid><pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2017 04:21:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>With the weather forecast showing showers in the lead up to this years Operanesia picnic we were lucky enough to avoid the rain on the evening.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_6cd163b911bb414d8058b3ad548ce53f~mv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>The team worked extremely hard to get the stage and grounds ready for the approximately 500 people that had pre-purchased their tickets to arrive at 4:30pm.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_b9001ca3393d4f3e87c1845a165a3697~mv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Our final count at the gate was over 550 people.</div><div>Once everyone had found their spots and set themselves up the show started.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_a9b4dbd0c8404596bd473e7ae2475814~mv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>All 550 + people sat on the lawn and enjoying their picnic, while watching and listening to our singers.</div><div>The music of the boys of Operanesia and the soprano of Marlena Devoe was excellent.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_c9618aae8c2f42c4a45a5ad14a087e6a~mv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Marlena was outstanding and she has a busy schedule back in Europe in the middle of the year.</div><div>Overall, we all had a delightful evening picnicking in the lovely garden of Jones road, Omaha.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_a0bff226c974472e80178d3c9c9917fe~mv2_d_5472_3648_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>We are looking forward to seeing you all there again next year!</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Operanesia – A great success!</title><description><![CDATA[The Operanesia evening was certainly an excellent success with a wonderful turn out and an evening of beautiful singing in a picturesque location.Although rainy, spirits were still high and the rain couldn’t deter from the delightful music produced by Operanesia.A truly splendid evening made even better by the wonderful turnout keen to experience the beautiful and powerful voices of these young men. A true inspiration.<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_b0f91d344ce24ee3b56140d0167d47ff%7Emv2_d_4364_3159_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_453/1784da_b0f91d344ce24ee3b56140d0167d47ff%7Emv2_d_4364_3159_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2016/03/01/Operanesia-%E2%80%93-A-great-success</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2016/03/01/Operanesia-%E2%80%93-A-great-success</guid><pubDate>Mon, 29 Feb 2016 18:29:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>The Operanesia evening was certainly an excellent success with a wonderful turn out and an evening of beautiful singing in a picturesque location.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_b0f91d344ce24ee3b56140d0167d47ff~mv2_d_4364_3159_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>Although rainy, spirits were still high and the rain couldn’t deter from the delightful music produced by Operanesia.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_5c67091e99774d97ab1f1412da41e57f~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>A truly splendid evening made even better by the wonderful turnout keen to experience the beautiful and powerful voices of these young men. A true inspiration.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_d2493f50e0924014bc1002537b40051c~mv2_d_5184_3456_s_4_2.jpg"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>September 2015 Newsletter</title><description><![CDATA[Dear Friends,We have brilliant news, a huge congratulations are due to Eliza Boom and Isabella Moore for their excellent achievements.Eliza Boom has won the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Dunedin Aria finals. She beat five other singers by performing the arias Si, mi chiamano Mimi, by composer Giacomo Puccini, and I Capuleti e i Montecchi, by composer Vincenzo Bellini.Isabella Moore has won the 2015 Joan Sutherland Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award in Sydney.Here are the dates for our delightful<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_9dfed07783a546f782f4fe40cb1ec6a9%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_350/1784da_9dfed07783a546f782f4fe40cb1ec6a9%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2015/09/25/September-2015-Newsletter</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2015/09/25/September-2015-Newsletter</guid><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2015 23:38:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_9dfed07783a546f782f4fe40cb1ec6a9~mv2.jpg"/><div>Dear Friends,</div><div>We have brilliant news, a huge congratulations are due to Eliza Boom and Isabella Moore for their excellent achievements.</div><div>Eliza Boom has won the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Dunedin Aria finals. She beat five other singers by performing the arias Si, mi chiamano Mimi, by composer Giacomo Puccini, and I Capuleti e i Montecchi, by composer Vincenzo Bellini.</div><div>Isabella Moore has won the 2015 Joan Sutherland Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award in Sydney.</div><div>Here are the dates for our delightful upcoming events:</div><div>Sunday 11 October 2015 at 5:00 pm for 5:30 pm</div><div>A concert with Eliza Boom, Benson Wilson, Milla Dickens and Lewis Francis</div><div>Tuesday 27 October 2015 at 6:00 pm for 6:30 pm</div><div>A Masterclass with Martin Snell</div><div>Sunday 29 November 2015 at 5:00 pm for 5:30 pm</div><div>A concert with Wade Kernot and Emma Pearson.</div><div>We apologise for changing the date of the Masterclass with Martin Snell. The new date will be Tuesday 27 October at 6:00pm for 6:30pm (originally Sunday 1st November) and we would be delighted if you are able to attend. It will be a magnificent evening that I am sure you will all enjoy. If you have already purchased tickets for the event and are unable to attend on this date, please do not hesitate to contact Helen. We do hope this does not cause any inconvenience.</div><div>We hope to see you at one of our Soirees soon.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Newsletter July 2015</title><description><![CDATA[Dear Friends,We are apologising for changing our usual recital evening from a Sunday afternoon to early Monday evening. We do hope this does not cause any inconvenience. We are giving you plenty of notice, so pop it in your diary now. Monday 07 September 2015 at 6:00pm.Bianca Andrew is back in New Zealand for her European summer break. She has been in great demand for this period and did not have a Sunday left before she returns to London.We did not want you all to miss out on this extremely<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_9dfed07783a546f782f4fe40cb1ec6a9%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_626%2Ch_350/1784da_9dfed07783a546f782f4fe40cb1ec6a9%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2015/07/14/Newsletter-July-2015</link><guid>https://www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz/single-post/2015/07/14/Newsletter-July-2015</guid><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 2015 23:51:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1784da_9dfed07783a546f782f4fe40cb1ec6a9~mv2.jpg"/><div>Dear Friends,</div><div>We are apologising for changing our usual recital evening from a Sunday afternoon to early Monday evening. We do hope this does not cause any inconvenience. We are giving you plenty of notice, so pop it in your diary now. Monday 07 September 2015 at 6:00pm.</div><div>Bianca Andrew is back in New Zealand for her European summer break. She has been in great demand for this period and did not have a Sunday left before she returns to London.</div><div>We did not want you all to miss out on this extremely talented and charming young artist. She is following in the footsteps of Tom Atkins who is just finishing his year as a full Scholarship Awardee on the Guildhall Opera Studies programme. Incidentally, Tom went on to win the prestigious Gold Medal award and become one of the “hottest’ young singers in London as a result.</div><div>Bianca is also an awardee of the Guildhall Opera Studies programme for 2016/17. She indeed is worthy of such an aware being intellectually and musically extraordinary with a lovely mezzo sound. We urge you not to miss this recital. Also moving on a couple of months, our own Martin Snell of Bayreuth fame. He will deliver a small master class on Sunday 01 November 2015 at the usual time 5.00pm for 5:30pm. He will paint an accurate picture of how the young singers life will be and how best to cope. He will also sing for us.</div><div>We do have a couple of other events which we are just working on now. We look forward to seeing you on:</div><div>Monday 07 September 2015 at 6:00pm - A concert with Bianca Andrew</div><div>Sunday 01 November 2015 at 5:00pm for 5:30pm - A concert with Martin Snell</div><div>Great news of Pene Pati</div><div>He was a finalist in both sections of the great Operalias competition in London. You may already know that this is Placido Domingo’s worldwide singing competition and that it is divided into two parts! One is the Aria competition and the other is the Zarzuela (or Spanish song) competition. Pene is a finalist in BOTH of these! Pene placed second in Aria competition and won the audience prize.</div><div>Isabelle Moore placed second in McDonald Aria competition last weekend and is a finalist in Bel Canto competition in a few weeks’ time.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>