Opera Australia brings the Mozart classic The Marriage of Figaro to Geelong on Saturday as part of its 2017 tour of Australia.
Geelong’s talented young singers will take to the stage when the show comes to the city, and have the chance to audition for musical glory on Monday.
The Geelong Youth Choir will perform songs in three of the opera’s four acts and was busy rehearsing with music director Denise Hollingsworth this week.
The choir’s young singers will join Opera Australia’s artists on stage in full costume as part of the performance.
Lara teenager Dylan McBurney was thrilled to perform alongside Australia’s prolific opera artists.
“It’s been a great opportunity to work with such professional musicians and improve my musicianship immensely,“ the 15-year-old said. “It’s also a lot of fun.“
Opera Australia is giving four regional secondary school students the opportunity to experience life as a performer through the 2018 Regional Student Scholarship program.
Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini was in Geelong ahead of show to audition young hopefuls, and said nurturing talented youngsters in regional Australia was incredibly important.
“(They) may be considering a career in opera, but feel the opportunities are a world away in the big city.
“We need to encourage those dreams and provide practical help on their journey into the music industry.”
The scholarship includes a visit to Opera Australia’s headquarters in Sydney in January 2018 for a week of opera master classes.
The Marriage of Figaro has entertained crowds for centuries, with its the witty, fast-moving vocals and the melodic, charming ensemble writing.
Opera Australia will perform Mozart’s classic comedy in English with a live chamber orchestra at Geelong Performing Arts Centre on 8 July.
The cast of includes some of Opera Australia’s finest singers plus a touring Chamber Orchestra under the baton of conductor Simon Kenway.
“The Marriage of Figaro is a great opera to tour and with this wonderful Australian creative team this will be a show regional audiences won’t want to miss,” Terracini said.
Director Michael Gow and Set and costume designer Robert Kemp give Mozart’s comedic masterpiece a makeover and retell a one household’s hilarious adventures over a single day of madness.
“Michael Gow and Robert Kemp are masters of storytelling, and they have created a version of The Marriage of Figaro that will be unforgettable,” Terracini said.
The award-winning creative duo had created an incredible production, featuring stunning period costumes and a clever set, he added.
Over the past three years 1000 children in regional Australia have performed with Opera Australia.
