THEY’RE some of Armidale’s best young singers with big voices and stars in their eyes.
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The group of 26 singers selected to make up the children’s chorus in the Armidale performance of The Magic Flute have become familiar with hard work over four months of rehearsals.
Picked in a rigorous audition process at the New England Conservatorium of Music in April, the choristers will have a taste of the spotlight when the curtain goes up on Thursday, August 28.
The local schoolchildren will be taking to the stage alongside professional singers and musicians in the Opera Australia production.
This year marks the first time the company has selected regional children’s choruses to take part in their biennial regional production.
It’s a collaborative process offered by Opera Australia that encourages teamwork, focus, participation and confidence.
The choruses will be mentored in musicianship and performance skills by working alongside Opera Australia’s world-class artists and technicians and will be supported and encouraged on each step of their journey by our creative and operational team.
Rehearsal conductor Rowena Tall said the children were excited about the performance and had been “enjoying every minute of rehearsals”.
“The chance to be costumed and to be on stage with seasoned professionals is an amazing opportunity,” she said.
“They know what an opportunity this is and they are prepared to shine.”
Ms Tall said the children had been focused and serious when it came to rehearsals. The Mozart opera has been set in 1930s Egypt in this rendition and Ms Tall said it was a very accessible opera for the young singers.
“For many of them, I think this would be their first fling with opera,” she said.
The Magic Flute premiered in Vienna in 1791 and follows the journey of two young couples.
It has been adapted many times across the world and is often known for its Queen of the Night aria.
On Saturday children chorus director Alex Pringle put the singers through their paces in a seven-hour rehearsal, but tomorrow afternoon will mark the first time they meet the principal actors.
About four hours of rehearsal will then precede the big performance.
They will then be ready to sing on August 28 alongside the stars of Australia’s national opera company.
“They were absolutely brilliant,” Mr Pringle said.“This is the first time Opera Australia has involved local children in this way, and they have been absolutely wonderful,”.
The Magic Flute will be performed at Lazenby Hall tomorrow night at 7.30pm.