Virtuoso opera repetiteur Bruce Greenfield is probably the finest accompanist a singer could have for he believes the voice is the finest musical instrument. “Every voice is utterly unique, every singer has their own sound. You see a pianist is just a pianist and to me that all sounds the same.’’ Greenfield said when it …
By now the citizens of New Zealand will know of the passing of Dame Catherine Tizard, former Mayor of Auckland City and Governor General of New Zealand. Dame Cath was a Founding Patron of the New Zealand Opera School and attended here in Whanganui a number of times. She was also a life-time Patron of …
The arrival of Barry Mora as an international tutor at the New Zealand Opera School brought years of wonderful engagement with students and staff of the School. As a splendid baritone, Barry’s passion for the opera voice shone through in all his tutorials with the student singers and he followed their development with extra tutorials …
The 2021 New Zealand Opera School was very special. At a time when most of the world couldn’t even consider a residential summer school, we came together, we enjoyed amazing tuition and coaching, and we performed to delighted sell-out audiences. Our international (but local) tutors, Dame Malvina Major, Amina Edris, Emma Pearson, Pene Pati, and …
Press release: 1 November 2020 Last night Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a second national lockdown for England, starting this Thursday 5 November. A necessary measure to tackle the virus and save lives, but also a further devastating blow for the arts in this country, and internationally. The day before the lockdown begins, we will …
From left to right: Harry Grigg, Anna Simmons, Felicity Tomkins sing Protegga il giusto cielo from Don Giovanni Anna Simmons, Felicity Tomkins and Harry Grigg were the 2020 Dame Malvina Major Foundation Studio Artists with New Zealand Opera. They recently completed their internship with a captivating performance of operatic scenes, directed by 2018 New Zealand …
…it is animal – Dame Malvina Major Foundation New Zealand Opera Studio Artists Scenes Read More »
It is with regret that I advise that the Hon Dame Catherine Tizard, ONZ has retired as Patron of the New Zealand Opera School. The School has been greatly enriched by Dame Cath’s patronage since the School’s inception in 1994. During this time Dame Cath has visited the School on a number of occasions and …
Recognising and being ever conscious of these challenging times, we are continuing to work hard to prepare the very best New Zealand Opera School that circumstances allow in January 2021. Applications for the School will close on August 31st 2020. Due to the current level restrictions in Auckland, we will accept initial applications WITHOUT recordings. …
2021 NZ Opera School Application Announcement Update Read More »
It’s coming up three years since Imogen Thirlwall left Wellington to pursue singing in Europe – but you may remember seeing her on stage in many of our New Zealand Opera productions, she was a member of the Freemasons New Zealand Opera Chorus and a Dame Malvina Major Young Artist. Imogen has sent us a wonderful update …
The 2020 New Zealand Opera School fulfilled all we could wish for in terms of progress for the students. This year we had eight students returning from previous years and thirteen new aspirants. Of the returnees several have reached a stage where they are now taking the next step and moving overseas for further “polishing” …
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Whanganui Collegiate School,
132 Liverpool Street,
College Estate,
Whanganui 4500
