Håkan Hagegård
The New Zealand Opera School is delighted to announce the appointment of Håkan Hagegård, one of the world’s finest baritones, to its teaching staff for the January 2015 school. He joins a stellar line-up of tutors and coaches including Paul Farrington, Isabel Cunningham, Sharolyn Kimmorley, Terence Dennis, Bruce Greenfield, Sara Brodie and New Zealand star tenor Simon O’Neill.
The addition of Hagegård, whose participation is supported by the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, follows the reluctant withdrawal of Dennis O’Neill who is unable to travel to New Zealand this year for health reasons. Dame Kiri personally assisted in the search for a suitable replacement.
“I am very excited to assist in bringing Håkan to the New Zealand Opera School. I have known him for close to 40 years as a performer and as a friend. His singing has always been of the highest level and now he is passing on all that skill, stage experience and advice to the next generation.” Dame Kiri said.
Hagegård is one of the world’s finest baritones, particularly renowned for his brilliant performance as Papageno in Ingmar Bergman’s film adaptation of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. Now a highly sought after teacher, he works with many of the most important institutions in the operatic world.
The school is also delighted to welcome Simon O’Neill as guest tutor and 2015 artist-in-residence, and Sharolyn Kimmorley, Australasia’s foremost operatic repetiteur and coach. O’Neill is at the height of his career and will bring a wealth of advice for young singers entering the profession. Kimmorley is in great demand internationally and will be known by many from her recent involvement in the preliminary rounds of the prestigious Lexus Song Quest.
With such an impressive staff line-up, competition will be strong for the 22 places at the 2015 school, which will take place 5-19 January 2015 at Wanganui Collegiate. Students are encouraged to get started on their applications early to maximize their chance to secure a place.
Click here to apply for the 2015 school.
