THE region’s newest opera company, Opera New England will perform Puccini’s La Boheme in Armidale during the Australia Day weekend in January.
University of New England Vice-Chancellor Professor Annabelle Duncan launched the production last week at the TAS Hoskins Centre , commending the company for engaging young singers on the cusp of their professional careers.
It was also announced that former Armidale mayor and opera enthusiast Rosemary Leitch has agreed to be the company’s patron.
After the sellout success of ONE’s first production The Marriage of Figaro earlier this year Director George Torbay and Musical Director Bruce Menzies are again embarking on an ambitious schedule starting with auditions in Armidale and Sydney over the next few weeks.
“La Boheme, set in Paris in 1900, is one of the best known operas of all time,” Mr Torbay told guests at the launch. “It also complies with the well known romantic opera theme – boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets her again just in the nick of time before she dies.
“It’s a great privilege to direct an opera of this calibre. Despite all the pressures of directing Figaro in January was a great joy and I expect this to be the same .”
ONE producer Greg Balcombe said the concept of casting top young singers from conservatoriums and universities for a fully costumed, full scale opera was unique to Armidale.
“When they are training, singers learn arias and choruses but they don’t get the chance to take on a major role in a full production like this,” he said.
“It is a unique opportunity for them and a great way to bring opera to appreciative country audiences.”
He said the production, which also engages local musicians under the baton of Bruce Menzies, would not be possible without strong support and sponsorship from The Armidale School.
The singers board at TAS during their intensive week of rehearsals before performing in four shows at the Hoskins Centre over the Australia Day long weekend.
“The generosity of TAS and the way it supports the arts in Armidale is remarkable,” Mr Balcombe said.
Other major sponsors include the University of New England and the Armidillos Theatre company with further sponsorship support from New England Mutual, Rosemary Leitch and Dr Robin Diebold.
More information about the production can be found at www.operanewengland.com.
