Tomorrow's (Opera) Stars Today!
The ABC's Operatunity Oz was fun to watch and, for the singers who took part: a life-enhancing and - for a few - possibly life-changing experience. But where do new opera stars really come from?
It's not a chance, flash-in-the-pan thing. Rather, it demands years of dedication and commitment and not just from the aspiring singers. And, of course, it takes money.
Opera Australia is fortunate in having the Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artists' Program to call upon to get its young singers to the starting line of a career. Oxenbould was OA's artistic director for many years and now maintains his commitment to the company and its artists through the annual program - sponsored by Australia Post.
Oxenbould told StageNoise: "The subsequent achievements of the members of the Young Artists' Development Program from my time as artistic director of Opera Australia stand testament to the importance that this activity has in the life of the company and the world of opera. 'Growing our own' is one of the most satisfying and mutually rewarding aspects of Opera Australia's ongoing commitment to the development of gifted young Australians who aspire to a career in opera."
More than 100 artists have been through the program since it began in 1984. They include Lisa Gasteen, Richard Alexander, Amelia Farrugia, John Heuzenroeder, Kate Ladner, Deborah Riedel, Tiffany Speight, Angus Wood and Nicole Youl.
The 2007 lucky young artists are mezzo sopranos Sian Pendry and Dominica Matthews and conductor Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo.
The program gives the young hopefuls a year with the company being mentored by experienced artists while gaining invaluable performing experience.
Adrian Collette, Opera Australia boss said: "Operatunity Oz made the process of becoming an opera singer look like a short, sharp boot camp, but the reality is it is a marathon. This is why we have to help emerging artists, nurture their talents and teach them skills they need for a career on the opera and concert stage."
Sian Pendry sang the role of Annio in 2006's La Clemenza di Tito and in 2007 will be seen in the new production of Rusalka as well as understudying Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro and Nicklausse in The Tales of Hoffmann.
Dominica Matthews is currently in The Pirates of Penzance in Brisbane, sang Countess Ceprano in Rigoletto and in 2007 will take the roles of Third Wood-Nymph in Rusalka, Eunice Hubble in the new production of A Streetcar Named Desire, the Monitress in Suor Angelica and Nicklausse in the Melbourne season of The Tales of Hoffmann. She also understudies Bradamante in Alcina and the Kitchen Boy in Rusalka.
French-born West Australian Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo will be conducting The Marriage of Figaro at the Sydney Opera House in March and assisting artistic director Richard Hickox on Alcina, The Tales of Hoffmann and Tannhauser, visiting conductor Giovanni Reggioli on La traviata and Sir Richard Armstrong on Il trovatore.
Graeme John, MD of Australia Post says of their commitment to the young artists: "Through its many touring programs Opera Australia takes opera to Australians of all ages across the country. Australia Post is proud to be involved with the Young Artists Program which helps aspiring young artists, who demonstrate an outstanding talent, develop their potential as future leaders in the opera field."
