The Right Hon Judith Collins;
Whanganui MP Harete Hipango;
Mayor of Whanganui – Hamish Mcdouall;
Headmaster of Whanganui Collegiate School – Wayne Brown;
Visiting International tutors Nuccia Focile and Glenn Winslade;
All our dedicated staff of tutors and pianists;
Students of the 2020 New Zealand Opera School;
Visitors from other places, Citizens of Whanganui;
Greetings to you all and warm appreciation of your presence here and support of the New Zealand Opera School.
We have just concluded a fortnight of intense training for aspiring young New Zealand Opera Singers and from my perspective the students this year, comprising at least half the compliment from previous years and with the balance being, new aspirants has been a particularly collegial, hard working, dedicated and joyful group of students. I salute them all.
Finally tonight’s Great Opera Moments was wonderfully presented by the students, musicians and conductor, directed and choreographed by talented Jacqueline Coats assisted by Kararaina Walker. The Artistic Director of the school Jonathan Alver and our admin staff have skillfully managed all aspects of the fortnight residential school in the wonderful and inspiring campus of the WCS.
No brief speech such as this would be complete without the NZOS’s warm appreciation and thanks to the Chairperson, Renate Schneider and the committee of Whanganui Opera Week to whom we all direct our praise and appreciation.
To you all thank you for your support and in particular our warm appreciation to our sponsors and benefactors for without your financial support none of us would be here.
